Pokemon Go is starting 2026 with a busy lineup of events as the Precious Paths season continues. January features a mix of returning legendary raids, new Pokemon debuts, two Community Day events, and a limited-time Kyurem Fusion Day that brings Unova’s legendary dragons back into the spotlight. Niantic is also expanding the month with Team Go Rocket activities and Dynamax-focused battles, giving players multiple reasons to stay active throughout the month.
Several new Pokemon arrive during January, including the rock-type Klawf and the shiny debut of Dhelmise. Alongside these additions, familiar systems such as Spotlight Hours and rotating Raid bosses remain a core part of the schedule, offering steady progression opportunities for both casual and dedicated players.
Legendary Raids and Mega Evolutions Rotate Throughout January
January’s raid schedule centers heavily on legendary Pokemon from the Unova region. Five-star raids rotate between Genesect with its Burn and Chill Drives, followed by Thundurus and Tornadus in their Incarnate Formes. These raids roll over gradually across the month, giving players extended windows to hunt specific legendaries and shiny variants.
Mega Raids also rotate during January, bringing back Mega Blaziken, Mega Sceptile, and Mega Ampharos in sequence. On weekends, Shadow Cresselia appears as a recurring Shadow Raid boss, tying into the broader Team Go Rocket presence planned for later in the month. Max Battles continue alongside standard raids, with Dynamax Pokemon such as Drampa, Caterpie, Beldum, and Roggenrola appearing on a weekly rotation.
Spotlight Hours Continue Weekly With Familiar Bonuses
Pokemon Go’s Spotlight Hour schedule remains consistent in January, with events held every Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 PM local time. Each Spotlight Hour features a specific Pokemon spawning at increased rates, paired with a rotating bonus such as extra XP, Stardust, or candy-related rewards. January’s lineup includes Barboach, Mareep, Hatenna, and Foongus, offering a mix of older and newer species that appeal to collectors and players working on evolution requirements.
January Community Day Classic Revisits Piplup
The first Community Day event of the year is a Community Day Classic focused on Piplup, taking place on January 4. During the event window, Piplup appears frequently in the wild with increased shiny odds. Players who evolve Prinplup into Empoleon within the designated timeframe can obtain the exclusive Charged Attack Hydro Cannon.
As with previous Community Day Classic events, bonuses include reduced egg hatch distance and extended durations for Incense and Lure Modules. Snapshot encounters are also available during the event, providing an additional incentive to participate.
Pinch Perfect Event Introduces Klawf and Shiny Dhelmise
The Pinch Perfect event runs from January 6 to January 11 and marks the debut of Klawf in Pokemon Go. The rock-type Pokemon is obtainable through Field and Timed Research, while crab-themed Pokemon such as Corphish, Dwebble, and Clauncher appear more frequently in the wild and raids. The event also introduces shiny Dhelmise for the first time.
Throughout Pinch Perfect, players earn double XP for catching Pokemon, and shiny encounter rates are increased for select featured species. The event focuses on steady progression rather than major system changes, making it accessible for players at all levels.
Kyurem Fusion Day Highlights Unova’s Legendary Dragons
One of January’s most notable events is Kyurem Fusion Day, scheduled for January 10. During a three-hour window, Reshiram, Zekrom, Black Kyurem, and White Kyurem rotate through raids. Completing these raids rewards Fusion Energy, which can be used to change Kyurem’s form.
The event also increases shiny encounter rates for the featured legendary Pokemon and temporarily raises the Remote Raid Pass storage limit. Additional free Raid Passes are available through Gym spins, and an optional event ticket provides extra bonuses for players looking to maximize their raid activity.
Grookey Takes Center Stage in January’s Main Community Day
January’s primary Community Day arrives on January 18 and features Grookey. During the event, Grookey spawns at increased rates, with boosted shiny odds. Players who evolve Thwackey into Rillaboom within the event window can obtain the exclusive Charged Attack Frenzy Plant.
The event includes a full slate of Community Day bonuses, including increased Stardust, extra candy, improved Candy XL chances for higher-level players, and reduced Stardust costs for trades. Extended Incense and Lure Module durations further encourage extended play during the event window.
Team Go Rocket Returns With Late-Month Events
The final stretch of January introduces the Precious Pals event, followed by a Team Go Rocket takeover titled Precious Pals: Taken Over. These events lead into a dedicated Shadow Raid Day on January 24, reinforcing the month’s focus on Shadow Pokemon and Rocket-themed encounters.
January concludes with the Into the Depths event, which runs into early February. This event is capped off by a Dynamax Weekend, continuing Niantic’s push to expand Dynamax-related gameplay within Pokemon Go.
Make sure to check out our articles about top games to play in 2026:
Best Nintendo Switch Games for 2026
Best First-Person Shooters for 2026
Best PlayStation Indie Games for 2026
Best Multiplayer Games for 2026
Most Anticipated Games of 2026
Top Game Releases for January 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the main Pokemon Go events in January 2026?
January 2026 includes two Community Days, Kyurem Fusion Day, the Pinch Perfect event, weekly Spotlight Hours, Team Go Rocket activities, and rotating raid schedules.
When is Kyurem Fusion Day in Pokemon Go?
Kyurem Fusion Day takes place on January 10 from 2 to 5 PM local time and features Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem’s fused forms.
Which Pokemon are debuting in January 2026?
Klawf makes its Pokemon Go debut in January, and shiny Dhelmise becomes available for the first time.
What is the January 2026 Community Day Pokemon?
Grookey is the featured Pokemon for January’s main Community Day, while Piplup is featured in a Community Day Classic earlier in the month.
Are there Team Go Rocket events in January 2026?
Yes, Team Go Rocket returns during the Precious Pals: Taken Over event, which leads into a Shadow Raid Day on January 24.
