Pokémon Champions to Launch on April 8, New Trailer and Details Shown

Pokémon Champions is right around the corner! The online battle-focused Pokémon title is coming to Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on April 8, 2026. You'll be able to compete in Ranked Batles, test out new strategies in Casual Battles, and even battle friends in Private Battles. Of course, the game features Single Battle and Double Battle formats.

All of this information comes from a new YouTube video about the title:

Here are some of the things detailed and revealed in the trailer.

Obtaining and Preparing Pokémon

You can transfer Pokémon from the main series games and Pokémon GO to Pokémon HOME and then send them over to Champions. You will also be able to Recruit a single Pokémon once per day to add to your collection in Pokémon Champions from a random selection.

These Pokémon are effectively "rental" Pokémon, and will only be usable for a week. By using VP you can recruit multiple times, and those recruited with VP will be permanently added to your collection.

Pokémon Battles

The Pokémon Battle UI is pretty much identical to how Scarlet and Violet presents it. Choose your team of 6, enter a battle, and then select the Pokémon you're going to use for the battle against your opponent. Of course you can see what Pokémon your opponent is bringing, but you won't be able to see movesets, stats, or items of the opposing Pokémon. Battles themselves are unchanged, though, they made sure to show off Mega Evolution.

Victory Points (VP) are awarded for battles. You can use VP to swap Pokémon moves, change nature, change abilities, adjust stats (EVs and IVs).

Battle Modes

Ranked Battles are available to climb the ladder; Casual Battles don't record wins and losses so you can play how you want; and Private Battles let you make a room or join a room to battle with others.

There are also Online Competitions that will be rotated each season that you can compete in as well.

Customization

Along with being able to purchase Held Items and Mega Stones for your Pokémon, VP can also be used to customize your trainer.

There are lots of clothing options, accessories, hair options, pre-battle poses, throwing styles, and victory poses. Even battle songs from the other games are available.

Pokémon Champions + Starter Pack

To get started, you can purchase the Pokémon Champions + Starter Pack to gain some starting items:

• Increased box space (+50 Pokémon)
• Battle! (Trainer Battle) song from Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!
• 30 Teammate Tickets
• 50 Training Tickets

This screenshot from the trailer shows what the starter pack comes with!

This can only be purchased once per Nintendo Account.