Pokémon GO trainers, the moment is here — Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y are making their world debut in Super Mega Raids today, 18 July 2026, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM (local time). Both forms are brand new to Pokémon GO, originating from Pokémon LEGENDS: Z-A, and you have exactly three hours to add them to your Pokédex. Here’s everything you need to know before you head out.

Two New Mega Forms — and One Is Already the Best Electric Attacker in the Game

As confirmed on the official Pokémon GO site, both Mega Raichu X and Mega Raichu Y appear exclusively in Super Mega Raids during today’s event window. Both are Electric-type bosses, and both share the same weakness: Ground-type moves. Bring your best Groudon, Garchomp, Rhyperior, or Excadrill and you’ll be well covered.

On the competitive side, Mega Raichu Y launches with an ATK stat of 339, instantly making it the strongest Electric-type attacker in Pokémon GO — a significant meta shake-up for raid teams. Whether you’re farming Gyarados or Water-type raid bosses, Mega Raichu Y is going straight into the Electric attacker slot.

Any Raichu you catch from a Super Mega Raid today will have Mega Level 1 already unlocked, saving you a chunk of Mega Energy on the first evolve. Shiny Raichu also has a boosted encounter rate from these raids — fingers crossed for that golden spark.

We covered the initial announcement back in June — check that post for the original reveal context. Everything below is the confirmed event-day detail.

All the Free Bonuses — Stack Them

Even without spending anything, today comes stacked with free perks:

• Up to 6 free Raid Passes from spinning Gym Photo Discs (versus the usual one per day)
• Remote Raid Pass limit raised to 20 — this window opened yesterday at 5:00 PM PDT and closes tonight at 8:00 PM PDT (roughly 11:00 AM SGT on Sunday 19 July), so remote raiding with your group is very much on the table
• Timed Research: complete the event tasks to earn a Premium Battle Pass and an encounter with Steelix
• Boosted Shiny Raichu encounter chance from Super Mega Raids

Spin Gyms early and hold the passes — you want all six available the moment the clock hits 2:00 PM.

Is the Paid Ticket Worth It?

The Raichu Super Mega Raid Day Ultra Ticket Box is available at US$4.99 (or equivalent in your region — check the in-game shop for your local pricing tier). Ticket holders get:

• 14 total Raid Passes from Gym spins during the event (8 extra on top of the free 6)
• Increased Rare Candy XL drop rate from Raid Battles
• +5,000 XP per Super Mega Raid win
• +5,000 Stardust per Super Mega Raid win
• A bonus Premium Battle Pass included in the bundle

If you plan to raid eight or more times and want to fast-track Mega Raichu Y’s energy for future use, the Stardust and XL Candy bonuses make this reasonable value. Casual players who just want one clean encounter of each form should be fine on the six free passes.

Head to your nearest Gym before 2:00 PM, stock up on Potions and Revives, and coordinate with your local raid group — Super Mega Raids typically need a solid group to clear comfortably. Browse our Pokémon GO guides for more battle tips, and happy raiding, Singapore!