Scopely has shared a few more Wild Area 2026 updates ahead of the in-person events this weekend. If you’re after the raids and every hundo CP, those are all in my Wild Area 2026 Gigantamax Duraludon post, and the week before Global is covered in the Into the Wild event guide.
What’s happening in Wild Area 2026
- Trainer profiles: your buddy’s Location or Special Background now shows on your profile.
- Dynamax Battles: a new Private Group option lets you join a friend’s group with a code.
- Special Research: Global ticket holders pick a Steel or Dragon path for bonus Candy XL and Stardust.
- GO Pass: Into the Wild: a free Wild Area tee, and Duraludon Pants in the Deluxe.
- Shop: a Duraludon Helmet, Gigantamax Duraludon Backpack and Fighting-Type Jacket.
- Also new: Adventure Effects from the raid lobby, GO Safari Ball Pokémon in Pokémon HOME, and in-person event maps.
When is Wild Area 2026?
- Fri 6 Nov, 10amSendai and Mexico City Location Backgrounds can show on Trainer profiles.
- Fri 6 to Sun 8 NovIn-person events in Sendai and Mexico City, and ticket add-ons are active.
- Mon 9 Nov, 10amThe Wild Area 2026 Special Background and all earlier Location Backgrounds can show on profiles, and GO Pass: Into the Wild starts.
- Sat 14 Nov, 10amWild Area: Global Special Research opens.
- Sun 15 Nov, 6pmWild Area: Global, the Steel and Dragon medal bonuses and the GO Pass end.
- Tue 17 Nov, 11:59pmLast chance to claim GO Pass: Into the Wild rewards.
- All times are local.
Buddy backgrounds now show on your Trainer profile
From Wild Area 2026, you and your friends can see your buddy Pokémon’s Location Background or Special Background on your Trainer profile. Scopely is switching them on in stages, starting with the Wild Area 2026 backgrounds.
When does each background become available on profiles?
The Wild Area 2026 Location Backgrounds for Sendai and Mexico City can be shown from Friday 6 November at 10am local time. The Wild Area 2026 Special Background and every Location Background released before it follow on Monday 9 November at 10am. Scopely says more Special Backgrounds will be added later.
Why can’t my friend see my buddy’s background yet?
It runs on each player’s local time, so a friend won’t see your buddy’s background until it’s 10am where they are.
Private Dynamax Battles in Wild Area 2026
When you enter a Max Battle lobby you now get two choices. Battle matches you with other players automatically, as it always has. Private Group puts you into a group that already exists, and you’ll need that group’s code to get in. It means you and your friends can do Dynamax Battles together without random players filling the spots.
Wild Area: Global Special Research, Steel Scholar or Dragon Defender
Global ticket holders get a branching Special Research story where you research either Steel-type or Dragon-type Pokémon. The path you choose decides your medal and your bonus, so pick the type you plan to catch more of. It opens on Saturday 14 November 2026 at 10am local time, and the ticket is sold in the Pokémon GO Web Store.
- Steel Scholar: 1 extra Candy XL (level 31 and up) and 1,000 extra Stardust for catching Steel-type mighty Pokémon.
- Dragon Defender: 1 extra Candy XL (level 31 and up) and 1,000 extra Stardust for catching Dragon-type mighty Pokémon.
The bonus turns on once you claim the medal in game and ends with Wild Area: Global on Sunday 15 November at 6pm local time. Ticket holders at the in-person events in Sendai and Mexico City can earn both medals in their event research, and keep both bonuses until Global ends.
Wild Area 2026 GO Pass and avatar items
GO Pass: Into the Wild runs from Monday 9 November at 10am to Sunday 15 November at 6pm local time, and you can claim its rewards until Tuesday 17 November at 11:59pm.
- Free GO Pass: GO Wild Area 2026 Tee (Purple).
- GO Pass Deluxe: Duraludon Pants.
- In-game shop: Duraludon Helmet, Gigantamax Duraludon Backpack and Fighting-Type Jacket, which stay in the shop after the event.
- Event research: finishing your event Special Research, in person or at Global, unlocks a new avatar pose.
Adventure Effects from the raid and Max Battle lobby
From Into the Wild, you can switch on some Adventure Effects while you’re waiting in a raid or Max Battle lobby. That includes Crowned Sword Zacian’s Behemoth Blade and Crowned Shield Zamazenta’s Behemoth Bash, which you can turn on before a Max Battle starts to help your group. Ticket holders at the in-person events in Sendai and Mexico City get early access.
GO Safari Ball Pokémon can now go to Pokémon HOME
Pokémon caught in GO Safari Balls can now be sent to Pokémon HOME, where they show as caught in a Strange Ball.
Wild Area Sendai and Mexico City maps and add-ons
If you’re going in person, the event maps for Wild Area: Sendai and Tohoku and Wild Area: Mexico City are up on the Pokémon GO website to download now. Ticket add-ons can still be bought there too. They add event bonuses, extra days of gameplay or merchandise preorders, and they’re active from Friday 6 November to Sunday 8 November.
What you need to know about this news
What's new in Pokémon GO for Wild Area 2026?
Buddy backgrounds on Trainer profiles, a Private Group option for Dynamax Battles, a Steel or Dragon Special Research path for Global ticket holders, new avatar items, Adventure Effects you can switch on from the raid lobby, and GO Safari Ball Pokémon can now go to Pokémon HOME.
When can I show backgrounds on my Trainer profile in Pokémon GO?
The Sendai and Mexico City Wild Area 2026 Location Backgrounds can be shown from Friday 6 November 2026 at 10am local time. The Wild Area 2026 Special Background and every earlier Location Background follow on Monday 9 November at 10am local time.
Can my friends see my buddy's background straight away?
Only once it's 10am in their own time zone. Until then they won't see your buddy's background on your profile.
How do I join a private Dynamax Battle?
In the Max Battle lobby, choose Private Group instead of Battle and enter the group code for the group you want to join. Battle still matches you with other players automatically.
Should I pick the Steel Scholar or Dragon Defender path?
It decides which mighty Pokémon give the bonus. Steel Scholar gives 1 extra Candy XL (level 31 and up) and 1,000 extra Stardust for Steel-type mighty Pokémon, and Dragon Defender gives the same for Dragon-type mighty Pokémon. Both bonuses end on Sunday 15 November at 6pm local time.
Do I need a ticket for the Steel or Dragon Special Research?
Yes. It's for Wild Area: Global ticket holders, sold in the Pokémon GO Web Store, and starts on Saturday 14 November 2026 at 10am local time. Ticket holders at the in-person events in Sendai and Mexico City can collect both medals.
Can GO Safari Ball Pokémon go to Pokémon HOME?
Yes, Pokémon caught in GO Safari Balls can now be sent to Pokémon HOME. They'll show as caught in a Strange Ball there.
When are Wild Area 2026 ticket add-ons active?
Friday 6 November to Sunday 8 November 2026, for the in-person events in Sendai and Mexico City. You can still buy them from the Wild Area page on pokemongo.com.