Pokemon GO Rivals Week: Event Date and Time, Bonuses, Raids, and More

Worldwide rivalries collide

An image of Throh, Zangoose, and Heatmor battling Sawk, Seviper, and Durant.
Image via Pokemon GO Live

This guide goes over key information about this rival themed event in Pokemon GO.

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Pokemon GO Rivals Week

Rivals Week Dates and Times

The Pokemon GO Rivals Week event will take place from Saturday, May 4 at 10:00 AM to Thursday, May 9 at 8:00 PM (local time). It’s not quite a week, but it’s not done in a flash, either.

Rivals Week Event Bonuses

The following bonuses will be in effect during the Pokemon GO Rivals Week event:

  • Get 10x the XP from spinning Photo Discs at Gyms.
  • Receive double (2x) the Catch Candy.
  • Zangoose, Seviper, Throh, Sawk, Heatmor, and Durant have an increased shiny encounter rate.

Rivals Week Wild Encounter Pokemon

The following table includes a list of the Pokemon that will be found more commonly in the wild during the Rivals Week event.

Wild Encounter PokemonCan it be Shiny?
Alolan SandshrewYes
MankeyYes
PoliwagYes
MachopYes
Lickitung (rare)Yes
GligarYes
RaltsYes
Galarian Stunfisk (rare)Yes
Pokemon GO Rivals Week wild encounter Pokemon

But that’s not all: the following Pokemon will also be more common in the wild during specific days of the event.

Wild Encounter PokemonAvailable Days and TimesCan it be Shiny?
Zangoose
Seviper
From May 4 at 10:00 AM to May 6 at 10:00 AM (local time)Yes
Yes
Throh
Sawk
From May 6 at 10:00 AM to May 8 at 10:00 AM (local time)Yes
Yes
Heatmor
Durant
From May 8 at 10:00 AM to May 9 at 8:00 PM (local time)Yes
Yes
Pokemon GO Rivals Week time-specific wild encounter Pokemon

Zangoose, Sawk, and Heatmor are typically region-exclusive to Europe, Asia, and Australia, while Seviper, Throh, and Durant are exclusive to the Americas and Africa, but they will be available globally during the listed days and times for Rivals Week. Take advantage of this opportunity to catch any region-exclusive Pokemon from this group that you don’t have yet.

Rivals Week Raid Pokemon

The following tables list each Pokemon that will appear in raids during the Rivals Week event.

One-Star Raids

One-Star Raid PokemonCan it be Shiny?
MankeyYes
TeddiursaYes
SwinubYes
Jangmo-oNo
Pokemon GO Rivals Week One-Star Raid Pokemon

Jangmo-o will not be available in its shiny coloration during Rivals Week. Shiny Jangmo-o will be making its Pokemon GO debut during Pokemon GO Fest 2024: Global.

Three-Star Raids

The rival Pokemon will appear in three-star raids. Like those encountered in the wild, they will only be available on certain days and times during the event. The following table includes the Pokemon, their available time frames, and their shiny availability.

Three-Star PokemonAvailable Days and TimesCan it be Shiny?
Zangoose
Seviper
From May 4 at 10:00 AM to May 6 at 10:00 AM (local time)Yes
Yes
Throh
Sawk
From May 6 at 10:00 AM to May 8 at 10:00 AM (local time)Yes
Yes
Heatmor
Durant
From May 8 at 10:00 AM to May 9 at 8:00 PM (local time)Yes
Yes
Pokemon GO Rivals Week Three-Star Raid Pokemon

Rivals Week Field Research Task Encounter Pokemon

The following table lists the Pokemon that will be available to encounter as rewards for completing event-themed Field Research tasks during Rivals Week.

Field Research Task Encounter PokemonCan it be Shiny?
Alolan SandshrewYes
MankeyYes
PoliwagYes
LickitungYes
GligarYes
RaltsYes
Galarian StunfiskYes
Pokemon GO Rivals Week Field Research task reward encounter Pokemon

Rivals Week Timed Research

The Rivals Week event will feature its own Timed Research. Among the rewards for completing the tasks are:

  • XP,
  • Rare Candy,
  • Stardust,
  • and encounters with event-themed Pokemon.

Pokemon GO Battle Weekend

A small event within an event will occur as part of Rivals Week: GO Battle Weekend.

GO Battle Weekend Dates and Times

The Pokemon GO Battle Weekend event will take place from Saturday, May 4 at 12:00 AM to Sunday, May 5 at 11:59 PM (local time).

GO Battle Weekend Event Bonuses

The following bonuses will be in effect during GO Battle Weekend:

  • Quadruple (4x) Stardust from win rewards (not including end-of-set rewards).
  • The daily maximum number of sets you can play will increase from the usual five (5) to 20, for a total of 100 battles.

GO Battle Weekend Timed Research

There will also be free battle-themed Timed Research for GO Battle Weekend. Among the rewards will be the Hala-Style Sandals avatar item.

GO Battle Weekend Paid Timed Research

There will be an event-exclusive Timed Research available for US$1 or the equivalent pricing in your local currency. Rewards for completing the research tasks will include:

  • Stardust,
  • one (1) Star Piece,
  • three (3) Rare Candies,
  • and three (3) Rare Candy XL.

GO Battle Weekend PokeStop Showcases

There will also be PokeStop Showcases during GO Battle Weekend where you can enter event-themed Pokemon.

Although preparing for Rivals Week is recommended so you can catch some region-exclusive Pokemon, there won’t be much time to rest, since right before Rivals Week the Mythical Pokemon Diancie will be making its return with a free Special Research.

About the Author

Niki Fakhoori

Niki’s love for video games encompasses a wide range of genres, but she is especially fond of RPGs, adventure games, visual novels, simulation games, and fighting games. Her favorite video game-related pastime is asking her unwieldy backlog why she doesn’t have any new games to play. When she isn’t playing or writing about video games, she’s playing with cats, journaling, painting, or obsessing over the latest news in the world of stationery and planners.

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