Pokemon Champions: Release Date, Platforms and Gameplay

Pokemon games are all the rage right now, and 2026 might be the year for Pokemon fans. From Pokemon GO events, collecting TCG Pocket cards, befriending buddies in Pokopia, or enjoying the new DLC in Legends ZA, fans cannot get enough of it. You’d be excited to know that a new title in the series called Pokemon Champions is here.

Pokemon Champions is a strategy-based title and a spinoff of the original Champions series. The game is out, and there are plenty of other details to go through. So if you’re looking for all the info about the game, find out more right here.

Editor’s Note: Last updated on April 8, 2026, with additional info after release.

Pokemon Champions Release Date

Pokemon Champions was released on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 1 and Switch 2. A mobile version will also be released in June 2026 for Android and iOS.

Pokemon Champions Supported Platforms

Pokemon Champions was released for the Nintendo Switch family of systems, and as a “free-to-start” game for Nintendo Switch 2, with enhanced graphics. It will be later released for iOS and Android devices.

Furthermore, Pokemon Champions will also be used as the VGC game for the Pokemon World Championships and for Championship Series events leading up to Worlds. This will be enforced from the 2026 season, shortly after the game’s release.

Will Pokemon Champions Support Crossplay?

Yes, Pokemon Champions supports crossplay. You can crossplay between Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. You can also link Pokemon HOME and bring your favorites from other games as well.

Pokemon Champions and Pokemon HOME Connectivity

By linking Pokemon Champions to Pokemon HOME, you will be able to bring various Pokemon in the game as visitors, as well as send them back. Players will be able to deposit Pokemon caught in GO, Scarlet and Violet, and Legends ZA into HOME. You can also send them back to their original games, except Pokemon GO.

Only final evolution Pokemon that appear in Pokemon Champions can be transferred from HOME, but the ones obtained in Champions cannot be sent back. If visiting Pokemon know moves that can’t be used in the game, they will have to learn new moves via training. If you train visiting Pokemon in Champions and return them to HOME, they will retain those training results when returned to the game, unless they are in a different form.

Pokemon Champions Early Download Bonus

Players who download and play Pokemon Champions before August 31, 2026, will receive a Dragonite and 100 Quick Coupons in their in-game mail. This bonus will start once the game releases and continue until the expiration date. So far, the bonus can only be claimed by Nintendo Switch players, as the release date for the mobile version isn’t confirmed. A free Dragoninite Stone, used to mega-evolve Dragonite, will also be given out to players at the first level of the Battle Pass.

Pokemon Champions Starter Pack

Nintendo Switch 1 and Switch 2 players can purchase the Pokemon Champions Starter Pack for $10.50 USD. This will be a one-time purchase that will include the following bonuses:

• Pokemon Box Expanded (80 storage)
• Pokemon battle music: Battle (VS Trainer) from Pokemon Let’s Go Pikachu and Let’s Go Eevee
• 30 Regular Tickets (used to get new Pokemon)
• 50 Training Tickets (used to make Pokemon learn new moves and train them)

Pokemon Champions Battle Pass

Similar to other games, Pokemon Champions also features an in-game battle pass. The Pokemon Champions Battle Pass will change each season and will be priced at $15.99 USD. You can enjoy premium bonuses such as more Training Tickets, Mega Stones, rare Pokemon, and so on.

Pokemon Champions Monthly and Yearly Membership

Like the Battle Pass, you can buy the Pokemon Champions Monthly Membership for $7.99 USD and a Yearly Membership for $79.99 USD. Here’s a list of all the benefits that you’ll get in this subscription:

• Box capacity increased by +1,000 Pokemon
• Battle Teams increased by +15
• Membership-exclusive missions unlocked
• Membership-exclusive battle songs unlocked

Pokemon Champions Gameplay Details

• Wide Pool of Pokemon: There are 186+ Pokemon for players to collect.
• Team Building: You can build your team by recruiting Pokemon from within the game itself or bringing some of your past partners in through Pokemon HOME. There will be rental teams available for casual modes.
• Recruit Pokemon: You can use a trial Pokemon to check if it suits your team. The trial Pokemon can be added permanently using Victory Points (VP).
• Training your team: By using VP, you can increase your Pokemon’s Attack, Defense, and other stats, while also altering their Abilities and moves. You cannot train trial Pokemon. As you progress and level up, your opponents will also get stronger.
• Battle Modes and Formats: There are three different battle modes: Ranked, Casual, and Private Battles. You can challenge these modes in both Single Battle and Double Battle formats. Triple, inverse, and rotation battles will also return in this game.
• New Nuzlocke-themed challenge: There is a new challenge, like a Nuzlocke. If a Pokemon faints, it can’t be used again until you beat a certain tier. You can’t heal your Pokemon until you have won 10 consecutive battles; every 10th battle will be a Gym Leader or a familiar NPC. If your whole team faints before you can heal, you’ll have to start over.
• NPC and tutorials: When starting the game, you’ll be greeted by NPCs, helping you complete the tutorial. Tatora, Kitt, Cordy, Caraway, and Kajima are some of the NPCs you’ll meet.
• Special Challenges: There are special modes, like Level 50, Level 100, and gimmick challenges. For example, a Dynamax-only challenge or type-specific challenges. These challenges will give special rewards like skins for your trainer, stadiums, held items, and Pokemon.
• Mega Evolution: The early days of the game will allow players to use Mega-Evolved Pokemon. You can get Mega Stones from completing in-game campaigns, Battle Pass, bringing Pokemon via Pokemon HOME, and live events.
• Omni Ring: You will wear a device called an Omni Ring, which is similar to a Mega Ring in the video game series. The Omni Ring is expected to support Mega Evolution, Z-Move, Dynamax, and Terastallization.

Pokemon Champions Exclusive Abilities

Pokemon Champions features new, unique abilities to the already existing Pokemon. These abilities can be used in battles, aiding your allied Pokemon, and boosting the damage of the moves. Some of the new Pokemon introduced in Legends ZA have these abilities that make them overpowered. Let’s have a look at them:

• Mega Meganium (Mega Sol Ability): This ability allows the Pokemon to use its moves as if the weather were harsh sunlight. This further increases the damage of the move and lets them use Solar Beam immediately.
• Mega Emboar (Mold Breaker): This ability ignores the abilities of other Pokemon, and prevents the user from being taken damage or debuffs.
• Mega Feraligatr (Dragonize): Turns Normal-type moves into Dragon-type with a 20% boost.
• Mega Excadrill (Piercing Drill): When the Pokemon uses contact moves, it can hit even targets that are protecting themselves, dealing 1/4 of the damage that the move would otherwise deal. Everything aside from the target’s protective effects is still triggered.
• Mega Scovillai (Spicy Spray): When the Pokemon takes damage from a move, it burns the attacker.
• Mega Dragonite (Multiscale): Reduces incoming damage when Dragonite is at full HP, giving it a bit more survivability when it’s first sent out into battle. 
• Mega Froslass (Snow Warning): Changes the weather on the battlefield for five turns, increasing the defense of ice-type Pokemon.
• Mega Chesnaught (Bulletproof): Nullifies ball and bomb type of moves, such as Weather Ball, Aura Sphere, and more.
• Mega Delphox (Levitate): Grants immunity to Ground-type moves.
• Mega Greninja (Protean): Changes its type to match the move it uses.

Are you excited for Pokemon Champions, or would you rather enjoy cozying up to Pokemon Pokopia? Let us know in the comments below!