Eternatus Debuts in Pokémon GO: Everything You Need to Know About the Max Finale Event

Pokémon GO, Niantic’s globally popular mobile game, is closing out its event-filled summer with the highly anticipated debut of Eternatus during the Max Finale event.

Drawing direct inspiration from Pokémon Sword and Shield, this latest Pokémon GO Fest 2025 celebration promises to bring new encounters, legendary battles, and exclusive rewards to Trainers worldwide.

The Max Finale event is scheduled to run from August 18th through August 24th, 2025, and features a robust lineup for both veteran and new players. Eternatus, known as the enormous Poison/Dragon-type Legendary Pokémon from the Galar region, is being introduced to Pokémon GO for the very first time.

This marks a significant addition to the platform’s already diverse roster, further connecting the mobile experience to the mainline Nintendo Switch titles.

As players rally together for the GO Fest 2025’s grand conclusion, Niantic has confirmed that this event will be unticketed.

Players can join for free from anywhere in the world by claiming the GO Pass: Max Finale, allowing unprecedented accessibility. The final summer festivities offer much more than a new Pokémon debut.

Legendary Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta are returning for this occasion, teaming up for special raids to challenge the imposing Eternatus.

In line with the Pokémon Sword and Shield theme, the Galar region’s popular starters—Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble—will appear in increased numbers throughout the week, providing ample opportunity for Trainers to expand their collections. One of the event’s standout gameplay features is the increased appearance of Dynamax and Gigantimax Pokémon in raids.

These powerful forms, first seen on Nintendo Switch in Sword and Shield, provide Trainers with unique challenges and rare rewards during the Max Finale.

According to a statement from Niantic, this event is designed to bring together millions of Trainers: “We’re excited to offer a grand conclusion to this year’s festivities, welcoming Eternatus and bringing the dynamism of Galar’s Legendary Pokémon to Trainers around the globe.” To prepare for the event, Niantic is offering exclusive Timed Research accessible via the code GOFESTMAX.

This research grants players the chance to earn a Gigantimax Rillaboom, Cinderace, or Inteleon—iconic evolutions of the Galar starter trio.

All event specifics, including exact raid spawn times and reward structures, are available on the official Pokémon GO website and in-app news section. Since its launch in 2016, Pokémon GO has consistently evolved to integrate popular content from across the Pokémon franchise.

Niantic’s expert blend of nostalgia and innovation has kept the game at the forefront of mobile gaming, with events like the Max Finale consistently drawing millions of active participants.

As the summer draws to a close, the addition of Eternatus and cross-generational content reinforces Pokémon GO’s commitment to expanding gameplay for Trainers worldwide. For more details on Eternatus, the Max Finale event, and all upcoming updates, visit the Pokémon GO official website or follow @PokemonGoApp on Twitter.

Get ready to catch, battle, and celebrate as Pokémon GO brings another legendary season to an epic conclusion.

Pokémon Pokémon GO Dynamax Niantic Eternatus Zacian Zamazenta Pokémon Sword and Shield Grookey Scorbunny Sobble Max Finale GO Fest 2025 Gigantimax Rillaboom Cinderace Inteleon Nintendo