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Pokémon Champions

Pokémon Champions is a dedicated competitive Pokémon battling game developed by The Pokémon Works (a joint venture between The Pokémon Company and ILCA) and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. It strips the series down to pure strategic battling — Ranked, Casual and Private matches in both Single and Double formats — with no region to explore and no story campaign beyond a short tutorial. The game supports full cross-platform play across Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS and Android, and connects to Pokémon HOME so players can bring Pokémon from Scarlet and Violet and other supported titles into their battle teams. It launched free-to-start on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, with iOS and Android versions following on June 17, 2026.

Publisher
The Pokémon Company / Nintendo
Released
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Platforms
Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS, Android

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Pokémon Champions — frequently asked

What is Pokémon Champions?
It is a dedicated competitive Pokémon battling game from The Pokémon Works (a joint venture between The Pokémon Company and ILCA). It focuses purely on strategic PvP battling — Ranked, Casual and Private matches in Single and Double formats — with no region, gyms or story campaign, closer in spirit to the classic Pokémon Stadium games than the mainline RPGs.
Is Pokémon Champions free?
Yes. It is free to start and all core competitive content is playable without paying. Optional purchases include a one-time Starter Pack ($6.99), a seasonal Premium Battle Pass, and an in-game Membership subscription ($4.99 per month or $49.99 per year).
What platforms is Pokémon Champions on?
Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, iOS and Android. It launched on Switch and Switch 2 on April 8, 2026, with the iOS and Android versions following on June 17, 2026.
How do you get Pokémon, and does it link to Pokémon HOME?
Yes, it connects to Pokémon HOME. You can transfer Pokémon from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Legends: Arceus and Z-A, GO, Sword and Shield and other supported games into HOME and bring them into Champions. Transfers are limited to species included in Champions, and some moves may not carry over and can be re-set inside the game.
Do you need Nintendo Switch Online to play?
No — standard online battles (Ranked, Casual, Private) do not require a Nintendo Switch Online membership, only an internet connection. The official support page notes NSO is needed for 'some content,' widely understood to mean organized Online Competitions.
How is it different from battling in Scarlet and Violet?
Champions is battling only — no exploration, catching, gyms or story. It is built as a competitive front door: you import or build teams (including via Pokémon HOME), tweak moves and items freely, and jump straight into ranked and casual PvP, with a launch ruleset supporting mechanics like Mega Evolution and cross-platform matchmaking that the mainline games don't offer.

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Sources

Pokémon Champions
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
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