Zeraora is a Mythical Pokémon first introduced during Pokémon Go Fest 2026.
Alongside Mega Mewtwo, this Electric-type Mythical Pokémon is available first to those with an in-person Go Fest 2026 Tokyo, Chicago or Copenhagen ticket, before rolling out to all players later in the summer.
Here's how to get Zeraora in Pokémon Go - whether that's from an in-person event or Go Fest: Global - plus the 'A Thunderous Discovery' quest steps required to unlock it.
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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 missed 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 feature in a paid 'Masterwork' Special Research ticket some time after that.
Pokémon Go 'A Thunderous Discovery' quest steps
What follows is the Zeraora Special Research 'A Thunderous Discovery' quest steps, available to those at in-person Go Fest 2026 events this summer. Though you are encouraged to complete it during the park session, as Special Research, you can opt to complete it at a later date if you prefer.
The following is based on the Tokyo quest steps, and may differ in the Chicago and Copenhagen legs. Thanks to Pokeminers and The Silph Road reddit for helping flesh out the below.
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 1 of 8
- Spin 5 PokéStops or Gyms (2,026 XP reward)
- Make a Nice Throw (20 Poké Balls reward)
- Catch 10 Pokémon (2,026 Stardust reward)
End rewards: 1 Star Piece, Caterpie wearing a hat encounter, 1 Lucky Egg
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 2 of 8
- Catch 10 Pokémon in the Recruitment Zone (Pikachu wearing a Mystic / Instinct / Valor hat encounter)
- Catch 10 Pokémon in the Conservatory Zone (Pikachu wearing a Mystic / Instinct / Valor hat encounter)
- Catch 10 Pokémon in the Cultivation Zone (Pikachu wearing a Mystic / Instinct / Valor hat encounter)
- Catch 10 Pokémon in the Team Go Rocket Hideout (Pikachu wearing a Mystic / Instinct / Valor hat encounter)
End rewards: 2,026 XP, Wash Rotom encounter, 26 Poké Balls
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 3 of 8
- Catch 3 Electric-type Pokémon (26 Poké Balls reward)
- Power up Electric-type Pokémon 6 times (1 Magnetic Lure reward)
- Transfer 3 Electric-type Pokémon (26 Great Balls reward)
End rewards: 2,026 XP, Dhelmise encounter, 2,026 Stardust
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 4 of 8
- Explore 2km (26 Poké Balls reward)
- Make 6 Nice Throws (6 Pinap Berries reward)
- Make 3 Curveball Throws (1 Lucky Egg reward)
End rewards: 2,026 XP, Mudbray encounter, 3 Premium Raid Passes
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 5 of 8
- Battle in 2 raids (6 Max Revives reward)
- Win a raid (6 Max Potions reward)
- Use 3 Max Potions (26 Ultra Balls reward)
End rewards: 2,026 XP, Comfey encounter, 2 Super Incubators
'A Thunderous Discovery' step 6 of 8
- Explore 2km (2,026 Stardust reward)
- Make 3 Great Throws (3 Rare Candy reward)
- Make an Excellent Throw (1 Rare Candy XL reward)
End rewards: 6 Zeraora stickers, Zeraora encounter, 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 (26 Great Balls reward)
- Earn 6 hearts with Zeraora as your buddy (3 Golden Razz Berry reward)
End rewards: 6 Go Fest 2026 stickers, Zeraora T-shirt avatar item, 2 Lure Modules
'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
A similar quest will be available during Go Fest: Global, with changes to the zone-specific elements and likely no Mudbray encounter (since that's an in-person event exclusive).
Either way, 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 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.
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