Welcome to this week's Pokémon news roundup for August 20, 2026. We are looking at a packed week of updates across multiple platforms, including the cozy life-sim Pokémon Pokopia, the ongoing Water Festival in Pokémon GO, upcoming trading card releases, and interesting meta shifts in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Pokopia Expansion and GO Water Festival
The cozy life-sim Pokémon Pokopia on Switch 2 recently received its first major paid Expansion Pass, Bubbly Basin, alongside a free v2.0.0 update introducing diving mechanics. Currently, players can participate in the Fetch Scales for Feebas event running until August 28. Additionally, keep an eye out for a special announcement during the World Championships Preview Show on August 21.
Meanwhile, mobile trainers can dive into the Ultra Unlock: Water Festival event in Pokémon GO, running until August 24. This event marks the mobile debuts of Cramorant, Arrokuda, and Dynamax Magikarp. Players can enjoy increased XP and Stardust for catches, alongside boosted shiny rates for Ducklett and Dewpider as a final warm-up before the World Championships in San Francisco.
TCG 30th Anniversary and Legends: Z-A Ranked Battles
August is also a massive month for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Following the release of the First Partner Illustration Collection on August 7, the Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Tins will launch on August 28, featuring promo cards for Mega Meganium ex, Mega Feraligatr ex, and Mega Emboar ex. Furthermore, official previews for the 30th Anniversary Celebration Set on September 16 have revealed stunning new Lugia and Ho-Oh cards.
In Pokémon Legends: Z-A, Season 15 of Ranked Battles is currently underway until August 27. This season features a strict, Water-type-only ruleset for both the Lumiose and Hyperspace Pokédexes. Analysts note that this restriction follows Season 14's flying-themed ruleset, serving as a thematic nod to the upcoming Generation 10 games, Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves.
Masters EX Campaign and Next Steps
Over in Pokémon Masters EX, the Marvelous Mega Run-Up to 7th Anniversary campaign has officially begun. This event introduces characters from Pokémon Legends: Z-A to Pasio, allowing players to scout Harmony and Feraligatr (which can Mega Evolve) and Urbain and Meganium as EX Fair-Exclusive Sync Pairs, alongside earning up to 70 free Sync Pair Scout tickets.
To make the most of this week, players should tune into the Worlds Preview Show on August 21 for the Pokopia announcement, grind the Pokémon GO Water Festival before August 24, and redeem the active code PREPAR1NG in Pokémon Legends: Z-A for free items. Don't forget to secure your TCG pre-orders for the upcoming 30th Anniversary set.