Pokémon Go Rivals Week 2024: Bonuses, Encounters, Raids and More

After three years, Pokémon Go Rivals Week 2024 brings back the awesome mobile game event. Pokémon known for being determined to outdo each other are ready to take the spotlight: Zangoose vs Seviper, Throh vs Sawk, and Heatmor vs Durant.

With other Pokémon Go events happening simultaneously, avid fans and trainers will be busy! Here’s what you need to know to prepare for the battle-themed event from May 4, 10:00 AM to May 9, 8:00 PM local time.

Rivals Week 2024

Event Bonuses

• 10× XP from spinning Photo Discs at Gyms
• 2× Catch Candy
• Increased chance to encounter Shiny versions of featured rival Pokémon

Wild Encounters

Watch out for the following Pokémon, including their Shiny counterparts, for higher chances of seeing them in the wild:

• Alolan Sandshrew
• Mankey
• Poliwag
• Machop
• Gligar
• Ralts
• Lickitung
• Galarian Stunfisk

Featured rival Pokémon will also have high spawn rates in the wild during the following schedules:

• May 4 at 10:00 AM to May 6 at 10:00 AM: Zangoose and Seviper
• May 6 at 10:00 AM to May 8 at 10:00 AM: Throh and Sawk
• May 8 at 10:00 AM to May 9 at 8:00 PM: Heatmor and Durant

Raids

Battle it out with the following Pokémon appearing in raids:

One-Star Raids

• Mankey
• Teddiursa
• Swinub
• Jangmo-o

Three-Star Raids

• May 4 at 10:00 AM to May 6 at 10:00 AM: Zangoose and Seviper
• May 6 at 10:00 AM to May 8 at 10:00 AM: Throh and Sawk
• May 8 at 10:00 AM to May 9 at 8:00 PM: Heatmor and Durant

Field Research Task Encounters

Complete event-themed Field Research tasks for a chance to encounter the following Pokémon and possibly their Shiny versions:

• Alolan Sandshrew
• Mankey
• Poliwag
• Machop
• Gligar
• Ralts
• Lickitung
• Galarian Stunfisk

Timed Research

There will also be event-themed Timed Research available for completion during Rivals Week for a chance to earn rewards like XP, Rare Candy, Fast TMs, and encounters with featured Pokémon.

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Credit: Niantic

GO Battle Weekend

As part of the ongoing World of Wonders, a GO Battle Weekend will also be happening from May 4, 12:00 AM to May 5, 11:59 PM local time.

Event Bonuses

• 4× Stardust from win rewards. (This does not include end-of-set rewards.)
• The maximum number of sets a player can have daily will increase from five to 20 from 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM local time.
• A battle-themed Timed Research will be free for rewards, including the Hala-Style Shoes.

Paid Timed Research

• Players can access event-exclusive Timed Research for $1.00 (around £0.80) for a chance to earn Stardust, one Star Piece, three Rare Candies, and three Rare Candy XL upon completion of the tasks.

PokéStop Showcases

Showcases at different PokéStops will be available where trainers can enter event-themed Pokémon.

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Credit: Niantic

Rediscover Kanto

Start now and explore the refreshed app visuals, starting with Kanto region Pokémon, to catch up and earn region-exclusive rewards. The event will run only until May 9, 8:00 PM PDT.

Event Bonuses

• Increased XP for a seven-day PokéStop spin streak
• Increased XP for a seven-day Pokémon catch streak
• Faster increase in friendship levels through opening gifts, trading Pokémon, or battling together in raids, gyms, or trainer battles
• Increased chance to encounter Shiny forms of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle in their respective biomes

Featured Attacks

The following featured attacks will be available when evolving the following Pokémon during the event:

• Evolve Ivysaur to get a Venusaur that knows the Charged Attack Frenzy Plant.
• Evolve Charmeleon to get a Charizard that knows the Charged Attack Blast Burn.
• Evolve Wartortle to get a Blastoise that knows the Charged Attack Hydro Cannon.

Field Research Task Rewards

Complete event-themed Field Research tasks to earn Mega Energy for the evolved forms of Kanto starters:

• Venusaur Mega Energy
• Charizard Mega Energy
• Blastoise Mega Energy

Special Research

Complete the Special Research tasks at your own pace to earn items, XP, Stardust, and encounters with event-themed Pokémon.

Pokémon Go is available to download and play for free on Android and iOS.