Published: February 28, 2026
The wait is finally over, Trainers. After more than a year of speculation, leaks, and excitement, Pokémon Champions has officially been given a release window — and it’s coming sooner than you think. Announced during the landmark Pokémon Presents 30th Anniversary showcase on Pokémon Day (February 27, 2026), the game is confirmed to launch on Nintendo Switch in April 2026, with a mobile release on iOS and Android to follow later in the year.
Whether you’re a lifelong Pokémon fan, a competitive battler, or someone jumping in for the first time, this is the guide you need. Let’s break down everything we know about Pokémon Champions.
What Is Pokémon Champions 2026?
Pokémon Champions is a brand-new, battle-focused spin-off game developed by The Pokémon Works, a joint venture between The Pokémon Company and ILCA, and published by Nintendo. It marks the first-ever game released under The Pokémon Works studio.
Think of it as a modern evolution of classic battle-arena games like Pokémon Stadium (Nintendo 64) and Pokémon Battle Revolution (Wii). The game strips away the traditional RPG adventure and puts all its focus on what fans love most: strategic, competitive Pokémon battles.
This isn’t just a standalone game, either. Pokémon Champions will officially serve as the VGC (Video Game Championship) platform for all Pokémon World Championships and Championship Series events going forward, starting with the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco. This is a massive shift for the competitive scene, which previously relied on the most recent mainline games (like Scarlet and Violet).
Pokémon Champions Release Date
Nintendo Switch: April 2026
iOS & Android (Mobile): Later in 2026 (Summer)
While an exact date hasn’t been confirmed yet, sources suggest the game will drop in the first week of April, ahead of the World Championships. The game will support cross-platform play between Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, making it one of the most accessible competitive Pokémon experiences ever released.
One important detail: the Nintendo Switch version will be compatible with both the original Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2.
Is Pokémon Champions Free to Play?
Yes — Pokémon Champions is free-to-play. This is huge news for the community, as it lowers the barrier to entry for casual and competitive players alike.
The game will offer optional paid add-ons, including a Battle Pass, for players who want to unlock extra cosmetics or progression perks. Core gameplay, however, will be completely free.
Gameplay: How Does Pokémon Champions Work?
At its core, Pokémon Champions uses the turn-based battle system Pokémon fans know and love, including all the familiar mechanics:
- Pokémon Types — Fire beats Grass, Water beats Fire, and so on
- Abilities — Unique passive effects that give each Pokémon special advantages
- Moves — Four moves per Pokémon, with various power levels, accuracy ratings, and effects
- Single and Double Battle formats — Both classic Solo and the fan-favorite 2v2 Doubles format are supported
The game is designed to appeal to both newcomers and veteran competitive players. Whether you’ve never touched a Ranked Battle or you’re a returning VGC champion, Pokémon Champions has a mode for you.
Battle Modes
Pokémon Champions will feature three main battle modes:
1. Ranked Battles
The main competitive mode. Battle Trainers from around the world earn Victory Points (VP), climb the global leaderboard, and prove you’re the best. Ranked Battles are the primary way to earn VP, which is used to recruit and train Pokémon in the game.
2. Casual Battles
No stakes, no pressure. Casual Battles let you experiment with team compositions and try out new strategies without affecting your rank. Perfect for testing before going competitive.
3. Private Battles
Create a private room and battle directly against friends and family. Great for local tournaments or friendly rivalries.
All three modes support both Single Battles (3v3 or 6v6) and Double Battles (2v2).
How to Build Your Roster: Recruitment System
One of the most unique and exciting features of Pokémon Champions is how you collect Pokémon — through a Roster Ranch recruitment system.
Here’s how it works:
- Trial Recruitment — Once per day, you can browse a new lineup of Pokémon for free. This lets you find Pokémon you like before committing resources.
- Permanent Recruitment — After finding a Pokémon you want, spend Victory Points (VP) to add them to your roster permanently.
- Teammate Tickets — A special item that allows Permanent Recruitment without spending VP, bypassing the usual cost.
- Quick Coupons — Reduce the waiting time needed to recruit from a new Pokémon lineup by one hour.
Your guide to the Ranch is a character named Kitt, who will help you partner up with Pokémon as you progress through the game.
Pokémon HOME Compatibility: Bring Your Favorites
This is a game-changer for players who’ve invested time in other Pokémon titles. Pokémon Champions is compatible with Pokémon HOME, meaning you can import Pokémon you’ve already caught and trained in other games, including:
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A
- Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
- Pokémon GO
- Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen (now available on Nintendo Switch)
This means you don’t have to start from scratch. Your beloved team from years of Pokémon adventures can join you in Champions.
Important note: Pokémon obtained within Pokémon Champions cannot be sent back to Pokémon HOME. The compatibility is one-directional — you can bring Pokémon in, but not take them out.
Training & Customization
Beyond recruitment, Pokémon Champions gives players tools to customize and optimize their Pokémon for competitive play:
- Training System — Use VP to train your Pokémon, improving their stats and battle effectiveness.
- Training Tickets — An alternative to VP spending that lets you train Pokémon directly, without the currency cost.
- Ability Customization — Players can alter a Pokémon’s abilities to better fit their team strategy.
This level of depth means team-building will be just as strategic and rewarding as the battles themselves.
Mega Evolutions Are Back!
One of the biggest fan-favorite mechanics is making a major return. Mega Evolution will be featured in Pokémon Champions, tying in directly with Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
Early adopter bonus: Players who download the game before a specified date (TBD) will receive a free Dragonite in their in-game mailbox. This Dragonite is expected to come with its Mega Stone, giving early players a powerful advantage.
Additionally, a special launch campaign will allow players to obtain Mega Stones for:
- Chesnaught (Chesnaughtite)
- Delphox (Delphoxite)
- Greninja
- Floette
- Mega Garchomp (via the Legends Z-A Mega Dimension DLC connection)
If you’ve been waiting for Mega Evolution to return to mainstream competitive play, Pokémon Champions is your game.
Characters You’ll Meet
As you enter the world of Pokémon Champions, you’ll be greeted by a friendly cast of characters designed to help you on your journey:
- Tatora — Your guide for entering competitions and navigating the game
- Kitt — Helps you recruit and partner with Pokémon at Roster Ranch
- Cordy — Shares battle strategies and tips as you progress
- Caraway & Kajima — Two characters you’ll encounter in the Battle Arena
These characters ensure the game has personality and story, even though it’s primarily a battle-focused title.
Missions & Rewards
Pokémon Champions will include an ongoing missions system that rewards active players. Completing missions earns you special items, including:
- Quick Coupons — Speed up recruitment wait times
- Teammate Tickets — Recruit Pokémon permanently without VP costs
- Special Pokémon and items tied to in-game events and campaigns
This gives the game a live-service feel, with regular content to keep players engaged long after the initial launch.
Pokémon Champions & the Competitive Scene (VGC)
Perhaps the biggest news in the entire reveal is this: Pokémon Champions will replace the mainline games as the official VGC title.
Starting with the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco, California, all competitive VGC events will be played on Pokémon Champions. This is a historic moment for the franchise — for the first time, there will be a dedicated, standalone competitive platform that isn’t tied to the annual release cycle of mainline games.
This means:
- More consistent competitive rules and regulations year over year
- A dedicated meta that the community can build around
- Easier access for competitive players (since the game is free-to-play)
- A longer shelf life for the competitive scene
Different regulations will be implemented across competitive seasons to keep strategies fresh and the meta from going stale.
What Platforms Will Pokémon Champions Be On?
- Nintendo Switch — April 2026 (original Switch and Switch 2)
- iOS (iPhone/iPad) — Summer 2026
- Android — Summer 2026
- Cross-platform play — Yes, Switch and mobile players can battle each other
The free-to-play model combined with mobile availability means this could become one of the most-played Pokémon games ever, simply due to accessibility.
Should You Be Excited? Our Verdict
Absolutely. Pokémon Champions represents a bold, smart step for The Pokémon Company. By creating a dedicated, free-to-play, cross-platform, and deeply integrated competitive platform through HOME, they’ve set up a game that could dominate both casual and esports audiences for years.
The return of Mega Evolution, the deep roster customization, and the game’s role as the new VGC platform make this a must-play for any Pokémon fan — veteran or newcomer alike.
With the Pokémon World Championships 2026 in San Francisco on the horizon, and the game landing before then in April, this spring is going to be an incredibly exciting time for the Pokémon community.
Quick Summary: Key Pokémon Champions Facts
- Release Date: April 2026 (Switch) | Summer 2026 (Mobile)
- Developer: The Pokémon Works (Pokémon Company + ILCA)
- Price: Free-to-play (optional Battle Pass)
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android
- Battle Modes: Ranked, Casual, Private (Singles & Doubles)
- Cross-play: Yes
- Pokémon HOME: Compatible (import only)
- Mega Evolution: Yes
- Early Download Bonus: Free Dragonite
- VGC Official: Yes — used at World Championships 2026 in San Francisco
Stay Updated
Pokémon Champions is shaping up to be one of the most important releases in the franchise’s 30-year history. Bookmark this page — we’ll be updating it with the exact release date, new gameplay details, and competitive meta guides as the April launch approaches.
Are you excited for Pokémon Champions? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let us know what team you’re planning to build!