Pokémon Go Spotlight Hour returns every Thursday with a featured Pokémon appearing at much higher rates and an additional gameplay bonus. Four events are scheduled for August 2026.
For more gaming news and updates, browse the RETROCADE Arcade Blog alongside this month’s event schedule.
When does Spotlight Hour run?
Each Spotlight Hour takes place from 6pm to 7pm in your local time every Thursday. The weekly event is useful for collecting Candy, powering up Pokémon, completing evolutions and checking a large number of encounters for a possible shiny.
Spotlight Hour does not increase shiny odds. Data gathered by The Silph Road indicates that shiny rates remain unchanged, although the much higher spawn volume gives you more chances to encounter one during the hour.
The event previously took place on Tuesdays. Spotlight Hours were temporarily removed in March 2026 and moved to Thursdays from June 2026.
Pokémon Go Spotlight Hour schedule for August 2026
Here are the featured Pokémon and bonuses for each August event:
- 6 August: Delibird, with 2× Stardust from catches.
- 13 August: Wurmple, with 2× XP from evolutions.
- 20 August: Magikarp, with 2× XP from catches.
- 27 August: Mankey, with 2× Candy from catches.
* Shiny versions are available for all four featured Pokémon.
How to prepare for August Spotlight Hours
The bonus changes each week, so it is worth saving suitable Pokémon and supplies before the event begins. A little preparation can turn the hour into a useful resource-farming session.
Plan around the evolution XP bonus
Save Pokémon you have enough Candy to evolve, such as Pidgey or other plentiful species, for the Wurmple event on 13 August. If you also have evolutions waiting for Pokédex progress, this is a practical time to complete them. Using a Lucky Egg during the hour can increase your XP gains further.
Use the catch and transfer bonuses strategically
During the Delibird hour, focus on catching as many Pokémon as possible to take advantage of the increased Stardust. The Magikarp event is similarly suited to players looking to build XP through catches.
The August schedule does not include a transfer-Candy bonus. When a future Spotlight Hour does offer double transfer Candy, spare Legendary Pokémon you no longer need may be worth transferring then for additional Candy.
After the event, keep your Pokémon storage and supplies organised for the next session. If you enjoy dedicated gaming setups at home, explore arcade machines, compare options in the Arcade Machine Buying Guide, or consider a compact bartop arcade for a smaller space.
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