Niantic has revealed Tapu Koko Raid Hour, a brand new Pokémon GO Raid hour event that’s set to be one of the highlights of May 2026. Here’s your ultimate guide to everything happening during this event.
The event runs from April 22, 2026 to April 22, 2026. Read on for our complete breakdown of bonuses, featured Pokémon, preparation tips, shiny chances, and strategies to maximize your rewards.
📅 Tapu Koko Raid Hour — Event Details
| 📛 Event Name | Tapu Koko Raid Hour |
| 🏷️ Event Type | Raid hour |
| 📆 Start Date | April 22, 2026 |
| 📆 End Date | April 22, 2026 |
| 🎮 Game | Pokémon GO |
| 🌍 Availability | Worldwide (local time) |
🎯 Tapu Koko Raid Hour — Complete Guide & Strategy
Raid Event Overview
During this Raid-focused event, special Raid Bosses appear in gyms across the world. This is your opportunity to battle and catch powerful Pokémon — including potentially Legendary and Mega Pokémon — that may not be available through other means.
Building Your Raid Team
Success in raids depends on having the right counters. Use our Type Chart to identify weaknesses and our Best Attackers list to find the strongest counters. A team of 6 Pokémon with super effective moves will deal significantly more damage and earn you more Premier Balls for catching.
Raid Rewards
Completing raids during event hours often yields bonus rewards including extra Rare Candy, Golden Razz Berries, and TMs. Higher-tier raids (5-star and Mega) provide the best rewards. Don’t forget that raid encounters have a guaranteed 10/10/10 IV floor, making them excellent for finding high-IV Pokémon.
Remote Raid Tips
If you can’t raid in person, Remote Raid Passes allow you to join raids from anywhere. Coordinate with global communities to find raids in other time zones and maximize your chances of catching the raid boss, especially if it’s shiny-eligible.
🎒 How to Prepare for Tapu Koko Raid Hour
Proper preparation can make the difference between a good event and an incredible one. Follow these tips to ensure you’re ready for everything Tapu Koko Raid Hour has to offer:
✅ Save your Pinap Berries and Silver Pinap Berries for the event. Doubling candy on featured Pokémon can save you hundreds of catches worth of candy for evolving and powering up.
✅ Expand your Item Bag to at least 1,500 items if possible. Events often include special items, new research rewards, and bonuses that fill up your bag quickly.
✅ Prepare your raid teams in advance by checking our Best Attackers list and making sure your top counters are powered up and have the right movesets.
✅ Stock up on Poké Balls, Great Balls, and Ultra Balls before the event starts. Open gifts from friends and spin PokéStops during your daily routine to build your supply. Running out of balls mid-event is every trainer’s nightmare.
💰 Maximizing Your Rewards During Tapu Koko Raid Hour
Every event in Pokémon GO comes with special bonuses. Smart trainers know how to stack these bonuses for maximum efficiency. Here’s how to get the most out of this event:
💡 Take advantage of increased Incense and Lure Module effectiveness during the event. These items often have extended durations or attract more Pokémon during event hours.
💡 If there are XP bonuses active, stack a Lucky Egg with Excellent throws for maximum gains. Each Excellent throw with a Lucky Egg during 2× XP can net you 2,000+ XP per catch.
💡 Keep an eye on Raid Bosses — they often rotate to match the event theme. New or returning Legendary Pokémon are common during major events.
💡 Coordinate with your local Pokémon GO community for raid trains and special meetups. Many trainers organize events through Discord, WhatsApp, or Facebook groups.
✨ Shiny Pokémon During Tapu Koko Raid Hour
Remember that shiny Pokémon from raids have a higher shiny rate (approximately 1/20 for Legendary raids). If the event features Mega Raids or Legendary raids, prioritize those.
New shiny Pokémon are frequently introduced during events. Keep your eyes open for any announcements about shiny debuts — being among the first to catch a newly released shiny is always exciting! For a complete list of all available shinies, check our Shiny Pokémon checklist.
Shiny Checking Tips: You can tell if a Pokémon is shiny from the encounter screen by looking for sparkles and a different color palette. If you see a shiny, use a Golden Razz Berry and an Ultra Ball to ensure the catch. Shiny Pokémon from raids and research have a 100% catch rate (as long as you hit them with the ball).
⚔️ PvP & GO Battle League Relevance
Look for event-boosted Pokémon useful in Great League (under 1,500 CP) or Ultra League (under 2,500 CP). Use our Pokédex to check PvP IV rankings for each Pokémon.
When evaluating Pokémon for PvP during events, pay special attention to IVs. In Great League and Ultra League, the ideal PvP IVs are typically 0/15/15 or close to it — low Attack with high Defense and Stamina maximizes your stat product under the CP cap. Use our Pokédex to find specific PvP IV rankings for each Pokémon.
🏟️ Raid Guide for Tapu Koko Raid Hour
Raids are a core part of most Pokémon GO events. During Tapu Koko Raid Hour, expect changes to the raid boss rotation. Here’s what you need to know:
- 1-Star Raids: Great for solo trainers, often feature event-themed Pokémon
- 3-Star Raids: Soloable with strong teams, good rewards
- 5-Star Raids: Legendary Pokémon, need 3-6 trainers depending on counters
- Mega Raids: Mega-evolved Pokémon, excellent for farming Mega Energy
Remember to check the Type Chart for type advantages against raid bosses, and build your teams using the Best Attackers list for the most effective counters.
🏆 Pro Tips & Tricks for Tapu Koko Raid Hour
🎯 Plan Your Route: Before the event starts, identify areas with high PokéStop and gym density. Parks, shopping centers, and downtown areas typically have the best spawn density for events.
🎯 Trade With Friends: After the event, trade duplicate shinies and high-level catches with friends. Lucky trades guarantee at least 12/12/12 IVs, which can turn a good catch into a great one.
🎯 Buddy System: Set your buddy to a Pokémon that benefits from the event. If featured Pokémon are from a specific type, a Mega-evolved Pokémon of that type will give you extra candy for every catch of that type. Check our Buddy Distance chart for walking distances.
🎯 Tag Your Best Catches: Use the in-game tagging system to mark your best catches during the event. Create tags like ‘Event Hundos’, ‘PvP IVs’, or ‘To Evolve’ to stay organized.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Tapu Koko Raid Hour
Q: When does Tapu Koko Raid Hour start and end?
A: The event starts on April 22, 2026 and ends on April 22, 2026. All times are in your local timezone.
Q: Is Tapu Koko Raid Hour available worldwide?
A: Most Pokémon GO events are available globally, running in each trainer’s local timezone. Some features like regional Pokémon or in-person events may have location restrictions.
Q: Do I need a ticket for Tapu Koko Raid Hour?
A: This event is free for all trainers. However, optional premium content like Timed Research or event boxes may be available for purchase.
Q: Can I get shiny Pokémon during this event?
A: Yes! Most events feature Pokémon with available shiny forms, and some events introduce new shiny releases. Check our Shiny Pokémon checklist for the full list of available shinies.
Q: What should I prioritize during the event?
A: Focus on catching featured Pokémon (especially shinies and high-IVs), completing event research tasks, taking advantage of bonus multipliers, and participating in event raids. Use Lucky Eggs and Star Pieces during bonus windows for maximum efficiency.
📚 Related Guides & Resources
This guide is updated as new information becomes available. Last updated: May 19, 2026. Data sourced from Pokémon GO Live and community research.