Answering Your Burning Questions About Pokemon Champions

Pokemon Champions is set to change the course of history in the Pokemon Videogame Championship scene, and the way players battle against other trainers will never be the same after that. But there are many doubts about some of the details behind this new Pokemon title. Is it free-to-play? Will Pokemon Home be Available? The information about it is quite fragmented, so it’s hard to quench all those burning questions in only one go.

That’s why we’ve put up this FAQ guide with all the most frequent questions players ask about Pokemon Champions, and their matching answers. Check for the solution to your inquiries below, and don’t forget to add your own in the comment section if something else comes up.

Pokemon Champions FAQ and Details

Here are some frequently asked questions about Pokemon Champions and their answers. Make sure to add any other doubts you have in the comment section below, so that we can answer them as soon as possible!

What Is Pokemon Champions?

Pokemon Champions is a PvP-focused battle platform, where players will be able to compete against each other in fast-paced single or duo battles on both Nintendo Switch and Mobile Devices (releasing later). It is currently developed and managed by The Pokemon Works, and it is set to be released starting on April 8, 2026.

Will Pokemon Champions Replace Ranked Battles In All Future Pokemon Games?

Pokemon Champions is designed to be a long-term and permanent hub to host all types of competitive Battles for the Pokemon Games, including Ranked Seasons and Official Tournaments (VGC). While it is intended to replace the official Ranking for the Competitive Scenario, it might also be able to coexist with casual play both inside and outside the platform. That means future releases like Pokemon Winds & Waves might still hold their own PvP environment, though they will mainly be casual battles.

Is Pokemon Champions Free To Play?

Pokemon Champions is a Free-to-Download game, which means players can download in their Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 devices, and play as long as they have an active Nintendo Online Subscription. It works in a similar way to Pokemon Unite, though its Mobile Version, releasing later this year, might be exempt from some of its requirements (like NSO membership).

Does Pokemon Champions Require Nintendo Online Subscription?

Yes, the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions of Pokemon Champions will require an Active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to play. As stated on the official site for Pokemon Champions in the Nintendo Store, and confirmed through various official sources.

Does Pokemon Champions Include Microtransactions?

Yes, the game will host a certain number of microtransactions, mostly focused on its Premium Battle Pass System. Besides that, trainers will be able to acquire Victory Points (VP) by winning online battles and unlock Pokemon in a sort of ‘rental way.’ Pokemon will be available daily from a random selection, and players can ‘recruit’ them to battle for a week, or pay more VP to recruit them permanently to their team. Victory Points can also be used to purchase items in the Shop, customize the trainers (cosmetics), and for other yet-to-be-revealed uses.

Some Fans Will Get to Play Pokemon Champions Before Others

Lucky players will get a chance to play Pokemon Champions ahead of the game’s release next month on Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.

Does Pokemon Champions Include a Battle Pass?

Yes, Pokemon Champions will have a Battle Pass and a Premium Battle Pass. Both will be leveling up using Season Points (SP) and players can earn lots of rewards, including Mega Stones, by completing their levels. The same rewards will be available in the game Store, which can be purchased using Victory Points (VP). So, players have the choice to play ‘for free’ or purchase a Pokemon Champions Membership. According to Nintendo ‘Paid memberships add a variety of features that will further enhance your battling and training experience in Pokémon Champions.‘

Is Pokemon Champions Compatible With Pokemon Home?

Yes, Pokemon Champions is compatible with Pokemon Home. Pokemon games such as Legends Z-A and Pokemon FireRed/LeafGreen will also unlock the option to transfer from their Storage to Pokemon Home, and then to Pokemon Champions, following the same procedure. Pokemon transferred from Pokemon Home will be considered permanently unlocked and will not require Victory Points to be added to your Pokemon Champions team.

Can We Trade in Pokemon Champions?

No, for the moment, there’s no information or any mention of Pokemon Champions adding an in-platform trade feature. So trainers will have to trade in the traditional way (using their own games and consoles/mobile devices) before transferring their Pokemon to Pokemon Champions using Pokemon Home.

Will Pokemon Champions Be Available on Mobile?

Yes, the mobile versions (Android, iOS) of Pokemon Champions are expected to be released later in 2026, at a deferred date from the Console version. There’s currently no information on the precise date when this is happening, but we will update this FAQ accordingly when an official statement is released.

Are Pokemon Shiny Locked in Pokemon Champions?

No, for the moment, there’s no Shiny Locked Pokemon in Pokemon Champions (with the obvious exception of Pokemon that were already Shiny Locked in mainline games). At least, not that it is officially confirmed. It is unknown if Pokemon from the daily recruitment roster can be shiny or not, but there’s a high chance that the only available Shinies in the game are those transferred from Pokemon Home from the player’s own games.

Pokemon Champions April 2026 Release Announcement

A New Pokemon Game is Officially Releasing for the Nintendo Switch in April

Pokemon Champions launches on Nintendo Switch in April 2026, giving competitive players a battle-first Pokemon experience.

How Many Pokemon Are Available in Pokemon Champions?

Currently, there are only 153 confirmed Pokemon that will be released with Pokemon Champions, though this might change in the future as the game deploys more updates. For the moment, the list includes only ‘fully evolved’ (like Tyranitar) or ‘single stage’ Pokemon (such as Tatsugiri) with some exceptions. Legendaries and other Pokemon that could be transferred from Pokemon Home later into the future might not be available right away, but that doesn’t completely lock them out. As mentioned before, Pokemon Champions intends to follow tournament regulations, so limiting the number of Pokemon available would be against that purpose. Following that logic, there will be more Pokemon available in Pokemon Champions, and they will probably be periodically released with the game updates. Here’s a full list of the Pokemon confirmed to be available from day one in Pokemon Champions:

Venusaur
Charizard
Blastoise
Beedrill
Pikachu
Raichu
Clefable
Ninetales
Arcanine
Alakazam
Victreebel
Slowbro
Gengar
Kangaskhan
Starmie
Pinsir
Gyarados
Ditto
Vaporeon
Jolteon
Flareon
Aerodactyl
Snorlax
Dragonite
Meganium
Typhlosion
Feraligatr
Ampharos
Azumarill
Politoed
Espeon
Umbreon
Slowking
Steelix
Scizor
Heracross
Skarmory
Houndoom
Tyranitar
Pelipper
Gardevoir
Sableye
Aggron
Torkoal
Altaria
Milotic
Absol
Metagross
Torterra
Infernape
Empoleon
Lopunny
Spiritomb
Garchomp
Lucario
Hippowdon
Abomasnow
Weavile
Rhyperior
Leafeon
Glaceon
Gliscor
Mamoswine
Gallade
Froslass
Rotom
Serperior
Emboar
Samurott
Excadrill
Audino
Conkeldurr
Whimsicott
Krookodile
Garbodor
Zoroark
Vanilluxe
Emolga
Chandelure
Stunfisk
Golurk
Hydreigon
Volcarona
Chesnaught
Delphox
Greninja
Diggersby
Talonflame
Vivillon
Floette
Furfrou
Meowstic
Aegislash
Clawitzer
Tyrantrum
Aurorus
Sylveon
Hawlucha
Goodra
Klefki
Trevenant
Gourgeist
Noivern
Decidueye
Incineroar
Primarina
Toucannon
Crabominable
Lycanroc
Toxapex
Mudsdale
Araquanid
Tsareena
Oranguru
Mimikyu
Drampa
Kommo-o
Corviknight
Appletun
Sandaconda
Polteageist
Hatterene
Grimmsnarl
Mr. Rime
Runerigus
Alcremie
Morpeko
Dragapult
Kleavor
Ursaluna
Basculegion
Sneasler
Meowscarada
Skeledirge
Quaquaval
Pawmot
Maushold
Garganacl
Armarouge
Ceruledge
Scovillain
Tinkaton
Palafin
Orthworm
Glimmora
Dondozo
Tatsugiri
Farigiraf
Kingambit
Sinistcha
Archaludon
Hydrapple

Are Legendaries Banned in Pokemon Champions?

No, Legendary Pokemon will not be banned in Pokemon Champions. Of course, this will depend on which Pokemon become available right away from the moment of the game’s release. Pokemon Champions will follow the current Regulation Set I, or will be updating this to a new Regulation Set upon release, meaning that certain Pokemon like Box Legendaries would be available in competitive play, but with certain limitations. Restricted Pokémon allowed in Regulation Set I (only two per team) include Pokemon like: Lugia, Ho-Oh, Mewtwo, Solgaleo, Kyruem, Koraidon, Miraidon, and more. To see the full list of available legendaries in VGC official matches, check the official Ruleset here.