This guide goes over key information about this rival themed event in Pokemon GO.
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 Pokemon | Can it be Shiny? |
| Alolan Sandshrew | Yes |
| Mankey | Yes |
| Poliwag | Yes |
| Machop | Yes |
| Lickitung (rare) | Yes |
| Gligar | Yes |
| Ralts | Yes |
| Galarian Stunfisk (rare) | Yes |
But that’s not all: the following Pokemon will also be more common in the wild during specific days of the event.
| Wild Encounter Pokemon | Available Days and Times | Can 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 |
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 Pokemon | Can it be Shiny? |
| Mankey | Yes |
| Teddiursa | Yes |
| Swinub | Yes |
| Jangmo-o | No |
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 Pokemon | Available Days and Times | Can 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 |
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 Pokemon | Can it be Shiny? |
| Alolan Sandshrew | Yes |
| Mankey | Yes |
| Poliwag | Yes |
| Lickitung | Yes |
| Gligar | Yes |
| Ralts | Yes |
| Galarian Stunfisk | Yes |
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.
