Pokémon Champions Launches on Switch April 7, 2026

The Pokémon Company is set to launch Pokémon Champions, a free-to-start online multiplayer game dedicated to competitive Pokémon battles, on Nintendo Switch consoles worldwide this week. The title arrives on April 7, 2026, in the evening for North American players and on April 8 for most other regions, marking a shift toward centralized competitive play in the franchise.

Developed by The Pokémon Works in collaboration with Game Freak and published by Nintendo, Pokémon Champions emphasizes turn-based strategy battles without an open-world adventure. Players build teams of up to six Pokémon for single or double format matches, including ranked, casual, and private options. Pokémon can be recruited in-game using Victory Points earned through battles or transferred from compatible titles via the Pokémon Home service, such as those from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet or Legends: Z-A. The game supports key mechanics from mainline entries, including Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, Gigantamax, and Terastallization, all accessible through an in-game Omni Ring device.

Release times vary by time zone for a near-simultaneous global rollout at approximately 3 a.m. UTC on April 8. In the United...