Pokémon GO Celebrates 10th Anniversary With Free GO Fest 2026 and Real-Life Times Square Raid
Pokémon GO has come full circle in spectacular fashion. More than a decade after its original debut trailer imagined huge crowds battling Mewtwo in the heart of Times Square, that fantasy finally became real.
On Thursday, July 9, 2026, New York City’s iconic Times Square was transformed into a massive live Pokémon GO raid zone to launch the game’s official 10th anniversary celebration. Over 1,000 trainers gathered in Manhattan to take on Mega Mewtwo Y, with the battle displayed across giant interactive screens in one of the world’s busiest public spaces.
The event recreated one of the most memorable images from Pokémon GO’s early marketing: crowds of players uniting in the real world to battle a legendary Pokémon together. After the raid, the celebration continued with a surprise live performance from electronic music duo Loud Luxury, giving fans a fitting kickoff to one of the biggest weekends in the game’s history.
The Times Square event is only the beginning. Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global is arriving as the centerpiece of the anniversary celebration, and this year comes with a major change: it is completely free for all players.
Previous GO Fest events often included paid tickets for premium access, bonuses, and exclusive research. For the 10th anniversary, the paywall has been removed so every trainer can take part in the global celebration. The move is designed to bring as many players as possible into the event, whether they have been playing since 2016 or are returning after years away.
One of the biggest highlights of Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global is the debut of Super Mega Raid Battles. These new raids give players their first chance to battle and catch special Mega Mewtwo variants, including Mega Mewtwo Y. The event also introduces a new Special Research story centered on the Mythical Pokémon Zeraora, making the free global event even more appealing for collectors and competitive players.
The anniversary also shines a light on just how massive Pokémon GO remains after 10 years. Since launching in July 2016, the location-based mobile game has attracted more than 800 million unique players across over 150 countries. Together, players have caught more than one trillion Pokémon, a milestone that shows the game’s extraordinary global reach.
While the original 2016 launch craze has cooled from its peak, Pokémon GO continues to be one of the most successful mobile games in the world. The game reportedly generated more than $1 billion in revenue in 2025 alone and has remained among the top-performing mobile titles every year since release.
Player engagement also remains strong. Active trainers still spend around 45 minutes per day in the game on average, proving that Pokémon GO’s mix of exploration, collecting, fitness, and social play continues to resonate with millions.
Ten years later, Pokémon GO is no longer just remembered as a viral mobile gaming phenomenon. It has become a long-running global platform built around real-world movement, live events, community meetups, raids, and seasonal celebrations.
With a free Pokémon GO Fest 2026: Global, the arrival of Super Mega Raid Battles, Mega Mewtwo Y, and Zeraora Special Research, the 10th anniversary event is shaping up to be one of the most important moments in the game’s history. For longtime trainers and returning fans, this celebration offers a powerful reminder of why Pokémon GO became a worldwide sensation in the first place.
