What are the Team Rocket balloon spawn timers in Pokémon Go?

Team Rocket balloons have spawned all over Pokémon Go, and you need to defeat them to finish up the new battle challenge. The battle challenges will be happening from July 10 to 15, and because you need to battle Team Rocket members to progress in the challenge, the timers for these spawns have increased. You can expect to do battle against more Team Rocket grunts, leaders, and even Giovanni if you have a Super Rocket Radar.

Traditionally, the Team Rocket balloons appear to players every six hours. These rotate from 12 to 6, and then 6 to 12 in your local time zone. When a Team Rocket balloon appears, it will show above you in the game. It will probably help to zoom away from your character to get a better look at it. When you see it, click on the balloon, and you will have a chance to fight a Team Rocket, one of the leaders, Sierra, Cliff, or Arlo, the Team Rocket boss Giovanni and his Suicune. The leaders are available if you a Rocket Radar equipped, and Giovanni is possible if you a Super Rocket Radar.

The spawns have dramatically increased to make it easier for trainers to encounter these balloons for the battle challenges. From July 10 to 15, you can expect to see balloons appearing in three-hour intervals. It’s broken up from 12 to 3, 3 to 6, 6 to 9, and 9 to 12. For those eager to do battle against Team Rocket, make sure to have your Pokémon Go application open during these time intervals to have a chance to fight them. There’s also going to be a Team Rocket invasion happening on July 12 from 11 am to 2 pm in your local timezone, dramatically increasing the chances of the balloons showing up. Additionally, any of these balloons can be a Meowth one, which contains Jessie and James, whom you can battle.

The Team Rocket balloon spawn times will likely return to their six-hour interval time following the end of the battle challenges on July 15.