[San Francisco] 2026 Pokémon World Championships

What to Prioritize

Focus on the raid bosses featured during the San Francisco Pokémon World Championships. Duraludon and Rayquaza are the standout targets. Duraludon, with Steel and Dragon typing, offers a solid defensive option in Master League, while Rayquaza's Dragon and Flying typing makes it a formidable attacker. If you're looking to boost your roster, prioritize catching these two over the others. Zigzagoon, Fuecoco, Dewgong, Kingler, and Alolan Exeggutor are less relevant in the current meta, so don't waste your time on them unless you’re chasing a shiny.

Bonuses Worth Using

No event-specific bonuses are listed, which means you'll be relying on your usual strategies. Use a combination of Lucky Eggs and Star Pieces to maximize XP and Stardust during raids. If you're planning to chase shinies, be sure to stock up on Lures to increase your chances, particularly for the seven shiny species in rotation. Remember that while the shiny rates might be decent, the actual competitive value of those shinies varies significantly based on the Pokémon.

Is It Worth Your Time?

This event can be worthwhile if you're a competitive player looking to enhance your team. Duraludon and Rayquaza alone justify the effort, especially if you can snag a high IV version of either. However, if you’re not particularly invested in these Pokémon or shiny hunting, you might find the event lacking in incentives. Without bonuses or unique spawns to lure you in, it may not be essential to clear your schedule. Consider your current goals in Pokémon GO and whether these raids align with them before diving into the event.

Toni Ramón

Founder & lead editor · Updated August 30, 2026