Pokémon Champions will be free-to-play at launch.
The Pokémon Company’s big new multiplayer game Pokémon Champions is right around the corner, thanks to a new trailer that has revealed its release date on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2: 8 April, 2026. The game will launch as a free-to-play title, with a release on mobile platforms still planned for later in 2026.
Watch the new trailer below:
Pokémon Champions
Release date: 8 April, 2026 on Nintendo Switch consoles, TBA 2026 for mobile platforms
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and mobile platforms
Developer: The Pokémon Company
When is Pokémon Champions coming out?
The Pokémon Company is launching Pokémon Champions on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 this 8 April, 2026, ahead of the game’s still-undated release on mobile platforms. The game will launch as a free-to-play multiplayer PvP-focused game, pitting players against one another in turn-based battles.
Pokémon Champions is being positioned as The Pokémon Company’s new multiplayer PvP flagship game, allowing the mainline titles and spin-offs to focus on other aspects of the franchise beyond player battles. The game will also be the franchise’s current and ongoing flagship esports title, and will be featured at Pokémon World Championships 2026 as the main competitive title.
How to play Pokémon Champions
Pokémon Champions is a turn-based multiplayer PvP game, allowing players to form teams of Pokémon by either importing them from other games via Pokémon Home, or using a unique limited resource to adopt new ones in-game. Players can also loan Pokémon for a limited time for use in battles.
Pokémon Champions will also include Mega Evolutions, with some of its battle-ready Pokémon being Mega Meganium, Mega Emboar, and Mega Feraligatr, from Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Some of these Pokémon will have never-before-seen abilities in Pokémon Champions.
For example, Mega Meganium will have the ability Mega Sol, which lets the Pokémon use its moves as if in harsh sunlight weather. Mega Emboar also has the Mold Breaker Ability, which causes its moves to be unaffected by the ability of the target. Mega Feraligatr also has an ability called Dragonise, which turns Normal-type moves into Dragon-type moves and boosts their power by 20%.
Will Pokémon Champions have microtransactions?
While the game will launch as a free-to-play title, there will also be a paid starter pack including “useful in-game items.” This add-on will also allow players to store more Pokémon in-game, and add the Trainer Battle Song from Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee.
Pokémon Champions will launch on 8 April, 2026 on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The game will also launch on mobile platforms later in 2026.
