The High Zaptitude event runs from Tuesday, January 13th at 10am through Sunday, January 18th, 2026 at 8pm local time. This is an Electric-type focused event with global challenges that unlock rewards for everyone playing.

The event works on a tier system. Trainers around the world work together to complete challenges, and when each one finishes, bonuses unlock for the rest of the event. Level 1 gets you 2× XP for catching Pokémon. Level 2 brings 2× Stardust for catches, plus Wattrel and its evolution Kilowattrel make their Pokémon GO debut in the wild and through Field Research. You’ll need 50 Wattrel Candy to evolve it. Level 3 adds 2× XP and 2× Stardust for hatching Pokémon.

Wild encounters during the event include Chinchou, Helioptile, Tadbulb, and Shinx. All of them can be Shiny if you get lucky. The 2km eggs have Pichu, Elekid, Toxel, and Tadbulb, all with Shiny chances. There’s also an increased chance to hatch Shiny Tadbulb specifically during this event.

Field Research tasks will be available throughout the event with encounters featuring the event Pokémon. For $1.99, you can buy the Timed Research ticket, which cuts egg hatch distance in half when you put eggs in an incubator during the event. The ticket rewards include an Incubator, a Super Incubator, Tadbulb encounters, and more. You can gift this ticket to friends who are at Great Friends level or higher. The research expires when the event ends on January 18th at 8pm local time, so you need to finish it before then.

There’s also a High Zaptitude Ultra Ticket Box in the Pokémon GO Web Store for $1.99. It includes the event ticket, two Max Revives, and two Max Potions.

Wattrel’s debut is the big draw here. The Storm Petrel Pokémon and its evolution Kilowattrel will be available once the global challenges hit Level 2. Between the boosted XP and Stardust, the Shiny chances, and new Pokémon to add to your collection, there’s a lot happening during these six days.

Event runs January 13-18, 2026