Zeraora is a Mythical Pokémon first introduced during Pokémon Go Fest 2026.
Alongside Mega Mewtwo, this Electric-type Mythical Pokémon was available first to those with an in-person Go Fest 2026 Tokyo, Chicago or Copenhagen ticket, before rolling out to all players during the Go Fest Global weekend on 11th and 12th July.
Here's how to get Zeraora in Pokémon Go, with the 'A Thunderous Discovery' quest steps required to unlock it.
Update (10th July): Updated the page to reflect to Go Fest Global quest steps.
How to get Zeraora in Pokémon Go
Zeraora will be available to everyone for free during Go Fest: Global in July, with those attending in-person Go Fest events in May and June receiving early access. The rollouts are as follows:
- In-person Go Fest events (Tokyo, Chicago, Copenhagen in May-June) by completing the 'A Thunderous Discovery' Special Research from the weekend ticket
- During Go Fest: Global (11th to 12th July), by completing the event Special Research free for all players
Gameplay of Zeraora being caught during the 'A Thunderous Discovery' Special Research at Pokémon Go Fest Tokyo 2026. Thanks to Sarah Thwaites and Jordan Oloman for supplying their footage!
If you miss the above dates, it won't be your last chance to get Zeraora. In Pokémon Go, Mythical Pokémon which debut in events tend to be re-released the following year (though it's possible the free nature of Go Fest: Global might change that). Either way, a shiny version of Zeraora will also feature in a paid 'Masterwork' Special Research ticket in time.
Pokémon Go 'A Thunderous Discovery' quest steps
What follows is the Zeraora Special Research 'A Thunderous Discovery' quest steps during Go Fest Global 2026. Thanks to PokeMiners for fleshing out the following.
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 1 of 8
- Spin 8 PokéStops or Gyms (1 Incense reward)
- Make an Incense (26 Poké Balls reward)
- Catch 7 Pokémon (1 Lucky Egg reward)
End rewards: 1 Star Piece, 6 Nanab Berry, 1 Lure Module
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 2 of 8
- Explore 1km (26 Poké Balls reward)
- Use 10 Berries to help catch Pokémon (Pawmi encounter)
- Catch 15 different species of Pokémon (2,026 Stardust reward)
End rewards: 1 Incense, Tynamo encounter, 2,026 Stardust
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 3 of 8
- Complete 3 Field Research tasks (Pikachu with a Instinct hat encounter)
- Catch 3 Electric-type Pokémon (Pikachu with a Mystic hat encounter)
- Power up Electric-type Pokémon 10 times (Pikachu with a Valor hat encounter)
End rewards: 6 Mega Mewtwo stickers, 1 Incubator, 2,026 XP
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 4 of 8
- Explore 2km (Electrode encounter)
- Make 8 Great Throws (Ninjask reward)
- Make 5 Great Curveball Throws (Aerodactyl reward)
End rewards: 2,026 XP, 26 Ultra Balls, 2 Premium Raid Passes
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 5 of 8
- Battle in 3 raids (3 Max Revives reward)
- Win a raid (3 Max Potions reward)
- Catch 20 different species of Pokémon (3 Golden Pinap Berry reward)
End rewards: 2,026 XP, 2 Super Incubators, 2,026 Stardust
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 6 of 8
- Explore 2km (Bulbasaur with a Pikachu Visor encounter)
- Make 8 Excellent Throws (Charmander with a Pikachu Visor encounter)
- Make 3 Great Throws in a row (Squirtle with a Pikachu Visor encounter)
End rewards: 6 Zeraora stickers, Zeraora encounter (or 26 Zeraora Candy if caught from an in-person Go Fest), 26 Zeraora Candy
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 7 of 8
- Take a snapshot of Zeraora (1 Poffin reward)
- Earn a Candy exploring with Zeraora as your buddy (3 Rare Candy reward)
- Earn 6 hearts with Zeraora as your buddy (3 Silver Pinap Berry reward)
End rewards: 6 Go Fest 2026 stickers, Zeraora T-shirt avatar item, 2 Super Incubators
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 8 of 8
- Catch a Pokémon on 7 different days (2,026 XP reward)
- Hatch 2 Eggs (2,026 Stardust reward)
- Send a Gift to a friend (2,026 XP reward)
End rewards: 6 Rare Candy XL, Poké Ball Shades avatar item, 6 Zeraora Rare Candy XL
Remember, with Go Fest: Global access being free for 2026, all you have to do is log into the game during the event hours to claim the Special Research to then unlock Zeraora in your own time.
Can Zeraora be shiny or Mega Evolve in Pokémon Go?
Not yet on both counts. Mythical Pokémon usually get a paid 'Masterwork' quest at least a year later with a guaranteed shiny encounter, with shiny Diancie and 'Sparkle and Shine' being a recent example of how these quests work.
As for the Mega Evolution, the ability for Zeraora to Mega Evolve was introduced in 2025 Pokémon Legends: Z-A DLC 'Mega Dimension'.
Mega Zeraora will likely appear in Pokémon Go in time, and as a Mythical, won't require raiding to unlock - with Diancie being an example of a Mythical where Mega Energy was instead provided through a questline.
If you need more help there's our dedicated Go Fest Global 2026 guide, alongside specific pages for the raid schedule, spawn schedule, Link Charge Go Fest codes, the 'Genetic Mastery' research and the Mega Mewtwo X or Y choice, Mewtwo Mega Energy and a Gold Bottle Cap.
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