Niantic has revealed Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids, a brand new Pokémon GO Raid battles 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 28, 2026. Read on for our complete breakdown of bonuses, featured Pokémon, preparation tips, shiny chances, and strategies to maximize your rewards.
📅 Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids — Event Details
| 📛 Event Name | Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids |
| 🏷️ Event Type | Raid battles |
| 📆 Start Date | April 22, 2026 |
| 📆 End Date | April 28, 2026 |
| 🎮 Game | Pokémon GO |
| 🌍 Availability | Worldwide (local time) |
🎯 Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids — 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 Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids
Proper preparation can make the difference between a good event and an incredible one. Follow these tips to ensure you’re ready for everything Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids has to offer:
✅ Check the event calendar in the game’s News section and set reminders for start times, bonus windows, and any special raid hours.
✅ 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.
✅ 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.
✅ Clear out your Pokémon Storage by transferring unwanted Pokémon. You’ll need space for all the event encounters, potential hundos, and shiny Pokémon. Consider holding a mass-transfer session the day before.
💰 Maximizing Your Rewards During Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids
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:
💡 Check your Special Research and Timed Research tabs frequently. New research often drops silently during events with valuable rewards like Rare Candy, Elite TMs, and exclusive encounters.
💡 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.
💡 Use Star Pieces during any Stardust bonus windows. Combine them with weather-boosted catches and Mega Evolution bonuses for exponential Stardust gains.
💡 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 Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids
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 Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids
Raids are a core part of most Pokémon GO events. During Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids, 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 Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids
🎯 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.
🎯 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.
🎯 Use Auto-Catch Devices: Pokémon GO Plus, Gotcha, or Poké Ball Plus devices can help you catch Pokémon passively while you focus on shiny checking or raids. They’re especially useful during events with heavy spawns.
🎯 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 Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids
Q: When does Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids start and end?
A: The event starts on April 22, 2026 and ends on April 28, 2026. All times are in your local timezone.
Q: Is Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids 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 Mega Sharpedo in Mega Raids?
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.