The biggest week in Pokémon GO is here as Pokémon GO Fest 2025: Max Finale takes the stage. This free, worldwide event is the grand conclusion to this year’s GO Fest celebrations, inviting Trainers level 13 and above to take on a gauntlet of raids, Max Battles, and special challenges. From the global debut of the Legendary Eternatus to the return of every Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon, this finale is packed with battles, rewards, and surprises designed to test every Trainer’s skills .
Max Finale Quick Guide
- Dark Skies Prelude: August 18–23, 2025
- Max Finale Main Event: August 23–24, 2025 (10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. local)
- Free GO Pass: Max Finale auto-granted at level 13+
- Eternatus debut with special Max Battles and catch at Rank 60
- Crowned Zacian & Zamazenta return in raids
- Bonuses: Extra Power Spots, more Max Particles, boosted Candy rewards
Pokémon GO Fest 2025 Max Finale Schedule
- Dark Skies Prelude: August 18, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. – August 23, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. local time.
- Max Finale Main Event: August 23–24, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.
Participation is open to Trainers level 13 and above, and everyone automatically receives the free GO Pass: Max Finale on August 18, 10:00 a.m. local time.
The pass runs until August 24, 9:00 p.m. local, and all rewards must be claimed before August 26, 9:00 p.m. local time.
See also: Shiny Ting-Lu Tera Raid Guide – Pokemon Scarlet and Violet (Best Counters & Rewards)
Eternatus in Max Finale
The Poison/Dragon-type Legendary Eternatus makes its long-awaited debut in Pokémon GO. During the Max Finale, Eternatus descends from the skies and takes center stage in Max Battles.
- Eternamax Eternatus Encounter: Trainers can battle its Eternamax form during the weekend.
- Catch rules: Eternatus itself is obtained at Rank 60 of the GO Pass as a Level 15 encounter, and is not the Eternamax version. If you already have Eternatus (such as from Worlds 2025), you’ll instead receive 890 Eternatus Candy.
- One-time catch: Eternatus can only be caught once during the event.
- Candy requirements: To fully power Eternatus to level 50 requires around 8,900 Eternatus Candy and 8,900 Candy XL.
- Battle rewards: Each Eternamax Eternatus Max Battle can yield roughly 60–140 Eternatus Candy and 38–57 Candy XL.
Eternatus Adventure Effect
For 5,000 Stardust + 30 Eternatus Candy, you can activate the Dynamax Cannon Adventure Effect for 10 minutes. This boosts all Pokémon’s Max Moves by +1 level (locked moves become level 1, level 3 moves temporarily reach level 4). Only one Adventure Effect can run at a time, but you can extend this effect up to 24 hours by spending more resources.
See also: The Best Rival Battles in Pokémon Games: Every Generation Ranked
Returning Legendaries: Zacian and Zamazenta
The crowned forms of Zacian (Crowned Sword) and Zamazenta (Crowned Shield) return in five-star raids. Their boosted strength through the GO Pass makes them reliable allies in Eternatus battles and a valuable addition for Trainers who missed them previously.
Special Raid Hours will highlight both, with Crowned Sword Energy and Crowned Shield Energy also available during those times.
Dynamax and Gigantamax Battles
For the first time, every Dynamax and Gigantamax Pokémon previously featured in Pokémon GO returns.
- “Dynamic Dynamax Days”: specific Pokémon headline Max Battles on designated days.
- Gigantamax challenges include favorites like Rillaboom, Cinderace, and Inteleon, with chances to earn new Special Backgrounds that permanently appear on the caught Pokémon’s summary page as souvenirs.
- The RSVP planner now supports Gigantamax battles, helping Trainers coordinate raids and Max Battles more efficiently.
GO Pass & Deluxe Pass
The GO Pass functions as the event’s progression system.
- Free GO Pass: Max Finale
- Available automatically on August 18.
- Earn GO Points through raids and Max Battles. From August 18–22, points are capped daily; from August 23 at 12:00 a.m. to August 24 at 9:00 p.m., there’s no cap.
- Rewards include encounters with Dynamax Pokémon, Max Particles, Zacian and Zamazenta Candy, and more.
- Deluxe GO Pass: Max Finale
- Paid upgrade with access to both free and premium rewards.
- Offers increased Shiny odds in Dynamax Battles, exclusive items like the Eternatus Helmet, and thousands of extra Eternatus Candies.
- The Deluxe Pass costs $15 (local equivalent) and provides ~7,130 Eternatus Candy, ~890 XL Candy, multiple Premium Raid Passes, Lucky Eggs, and Star Pieces.
- Can be upgraded at any time, with all previous ranks unlocked retroactively.
GO Pass Tasks and Points
- Win 4/5-Star Dynamax Battle: 25 pts
- Win Gigantamax Battle: 25 pts
- Win 5-Star Raid: 25 pts
- Win 2/3-Star Dynamax Battle: 15 pts
- Win 2/3-Star Raid: 15 pts
- Win 1-Star Dynamax Battle: 10 pts
- Win 1-Star Raid: 10 pts
- Deluxe-only task: Catch 3 Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble: 10 pts
Major Milestones
- Tier 1: Behemoth Blade/Bash stronger, more Max Particles at Power Spots
- Tier 2: Further boost, increased wild encounter chance near Power Spots
- Tier 3: Maximum boost, extra rewards from Max Pokémon placed at Power Spots
Rewards and Milestones
By ranking up the GO Pass, Trainers can unlock over 100 rewards, including:
- Encounters with Dynamax Pokémon
- Large stockpiles of Max Particles
- Eternatus-themed avatar items (Top, Pants, Shoes, Helmet) — Helmet also unlockable in Deluxe Pass
- Premium Raid Passes, Lucky Eggs, and Star Pieces
- Zacian and Zamazenta Candy
See also: Pokémon Legends Z-A Map Revealed: Lumiose City Layout, Features, and Exploration
Max Finale Event Bonuses
Throughout Dark Skies and the Max Finale weekend, Trainers benefit from:
- Extra Power Spots spawning more frequently
- Increased Max Particle collection limits
- Remote Raid Pass limit increased to 30 from August 18–22, 2025
- Double Candy and higher Candy XL chance for catches during Max Finale
- Timed Research awarding Zacian and Zamazenta Candy, plus encounters with special event Pokémon
Timed Research and Codes
Redeem code GOFESTMAX in the Pokémon GO Web Store (expired August 3, 2025, UTC) to unlock branching Timed Research tied to Max Battles and Buddy Pokémon. Completing it rewards a Gigantamax Rillaboom, Cinderace, or Inteleon with a Seasonal Special Background.
See also: Pokémon World Championships 2025: Prizes, Travel Awards, and Fan Events
Timed Research must be completed and rewards claimed before August 24, 2025.
Wild Encounters
Select event-themed Pokémon will spawn more frequently in the wild during the weekend, giving Trainers extra chances at Candy and potential Shinies.
How to Prepare for the Max Finale
- Stock Raid Passes and Healing Items: Eternamax Eternatus will require multiple coordinated attempts.
- Coordinate with Local Groups: Use the RSVP planner to align raid times and maximize chances at Gigantamax and Legendary encounters.
- Plan Your GO Pass Grind: Start during Dark Skies to hit daily caps early before the no-limit weekend.
- Save Rare Candy and Stardust: Eternatus needs immense resources—plan ahead.
- Don’t Forget Cosmetics: Grab Eternatus-themed avatar gear to mark the occasion.
- Play with your community: These are Pokémon GO’s toughest challenges yet, requiring teamwork to succeed.
Pokémon GO Fest 2025: Max Finale is shaping up to be the largest and most rewarding event in the game’s history. From the debut of Eternatus and its fearsome Eternamax form to the return of Zacian, Zamazenta, and every Dynamax Pokémon, this festival is designed to test Trainers’ teamwork and dedication. Whether you stick with the free GO Pass or upgrade to Deluxe, there’s no shortage of challenges, rewards, and memories waiting in this grand finale.
