Exciting Updates for Pokemon GO’s Sparring Partners Raid Day

The upcoming Sparring Partners Raid Day promises an exhilarating experience for trainers, featuring Mega Heracross as the primary Mega Raid Boss for a limited three-hour window. In addition to this thrilling encounter, players can also expect to battle and catch Hariyama and Scraggy in Pokémon GO raids. This event will come with a paid ticket option, an upgrade in attack availability, complimentary Timed Research, and much more.

This article will explore all the latest details regarding the event to ensure you are well-prepared to make the most of this exciting day.

Overview of the Sparring Partners Raid Day

Event Schedule and Bonuses

The Sparring Partners Raid Day is set for Sunday, April 13, 2025, from 2 PM to 5 PM local time. Trainers can look forward to a range of enticing event bonuses during this period:

The limit for Remote Raid Passes will temporarily increase to 20, starting Saturday, April 12, at 5 PM and ending Sunday, April 13, at 8 PM PDT.
Players can earn up to five additional free Raid Passes by spinning Gym Photo Discs, totaling six passes for the event.
Enhanced odds of encountering shiny variants of Heracross, Hariyama, and Scraggy in raids.

Highlighted Pokémon and Attack Updates

During this event, Mega Heracross will be available in Mega Raids, and both Hariyama and Scraggy will make frequent appearances in raids, all with their shiny variants up for grabs. An exciting new feature allows Heracross to learn the Charged Attack “Upper Hand” during Sparring Partners Raid Day. Here are the details of this potent move:

Trainer Battles: 70 power with a chance to decrease the opponent’s Defense by one stage.
Gyms and Raids: 50 power.

Event Tickets and Timed Research Bonuses

Trainers can acquire the Sparring Partners Raid Day Event Ticket for just $4.99. This ticket will provide several advantageous bonuses during the event from 2 PM to 5 PM on April 13, 2025:

Access to eight extra Raid Passes from spinning Gym Photo Discs (14 total for the day).
Increased likelihood of receiving Rare Candy XL from Raid Battles.
50% more XP from Raid Battles.
Double Stardust earned from Raid Battles.

Additionally, a free Timed Research event will offer dynamic tasks and rewards:

Sparring Partners Raid Day Timed Research: Step 1 of 1