Building on yesterday's release confirmation, The Pokémon Company has revealed more about Pokémon Champions, the free-to-play competitive battler launching April 8 on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. Highlights include simplified training systems, monetization options, and Pokémon Home transfer details, with director Masaaki Hoshino sharing accessibility-focused changes.
Announced March 24 on its website, Pokémon Champions expands competitive play with a Stadium-style format. Switch 2 users get a free graphical upgrade, and a mobile version follows later in 2026.
Pokémon from Scarlet & Violet and Legends: Z-A transfer via Pokémon Home (Premium plan required, $15.99/12 months, to bypass 30-Pokémon limits), but Pokémon Go transfers are unsupported. In-game purchases include a ~$9 Battle Pass for rewards, ~$6 Starter Pack (expands boxes from 30 to 80), and ~$4.75/month or $47/year Champions Membership (more storage, teams, quests, music). Prices may vary by region.
Director Masaaki Hoshino, in a group interview, detailed accessibility tweaks: IV system removed (per original designer Shigeki Morimoto), EVs simplified with 66 free stat points, and launch roster limited to fully evolved Pokémon (e.g., Charizard, Blastoise; Pikachu as exception). This complements prior recruitment via Victory Points and features like Mega Evolutions from Legends: Z-A.
