BELLEVUE, WASH. — March 24, 2026 - The Pokémon Company International announced today that Pokémon Champions will launch on the Nintendo Switch system on April 8 and on mobile devices later this year. It will also be playable on Nintendo Switch 2.
Pokémon Champions brings the core Pokémon battling experience to more players than ever before, with both Nintendo Switch and smartphone users able to enjoy strategic battles against each other featuring different Pokémon types, abilities and move selections.
The game also supports Pokémon HOME connectivity, allowing players to bring in qualifying Pokémon from previous games in the Pokémon RPG series and Pokémon GO. This integration ensures that Trainers can continue using their longtime partner Pokémon in new battles and events within Pokémon Champions.
Pokémon Champions will be the primary platform for the Video Game Championships at all Play! Pokémon Premier Events beginning with the Indianapolis Regional Championships beginning on May 29-31, the Turin Special Championships from June 6-7, the North America International Championships from June 12-14, and the Pokémon World Championships from August 28-30. More information on the transition can be found here.
Upgrade Pack Available at Launch
Additionally, the Pokémon Champions + Starter Pack bundle will also be available on April 8 on the Nintendo eShop. This bundle includes the base game and additional in‑game bonuses that support early progression.
Players on the Nintendo Switch 2 system can also look forward to enhanced visual performance through a free update available on April 8. Players will need to connect to the internet and download the update before playing.
Returning Mega-Evolved Pokémon
In Pokémon Champions, several Mega‑Evolved Pokémon make their appearance, including Mega Meganium, Mega Emboar and Mega Feraligatr. These Pokémon debuted in Pokémon Legends: Z-A and bring new abilities into Pokémon Champions.
- Mega Meganium introduces the new Ability Mega Sol, which lets the Pokémon use its moves as if the weather were harsh sunlight.
- Mega Emboar’s Mold Breaker allows it to ignore opposing Abilities when using moves.
- Mega Feraligatr’s new Ability Dragonize converts its Normal‑type moves into Dragon‑type moves and boosts their power by 20%.
To view the latest trailer for Pokémon Champions, please visit the official Nintendo YouTube Channel. For more information on Pokémon Champions, including details on gameplay, services, and updates, please visit the official website.
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About The Pokémon Company International
The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world. For more information, visit www.pokemon.com.
About Nintendo
Nintendo Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, has been providing a wide range of entertainment products and experiences since its founding in 1889, beginning with the manufacture and sale of Hanafuda playing cards. Since the 1983 release of the Family Computer (Famicom) system in Japan, and continuing through Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo’s focus has been the development, manufacturing, and sale of its gaming systems and software. To date, Nintendo has sold more than 6 billion video games and over 870 million hardware units globally, and has created franchises such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, The Legend of Zelda™, Pokémon™, Metroid™, Kirby™, Animal Crossing™, Pikmin™, and Splatoon™. Nintendo’s continuing mission is to create reasons to choose Nintendo for unique, family-friendly entertainment that puts smiles on the faces of everyone it touches. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for operations in the Americas. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at https://www.nintendo.com.