Get Ready for Pokémon Champions: First Look at the New Competitive Game Coming in 2026
First Look at Pokémon Champions: What to Expect and When to Play
We finally got a proper glimpse of Pokémon Champions, the new competitive battle game from The Pokémon Company, Game Freak, and The Pokémon Works. Although the announcement came months ago with almost no details, the recent Pokémon Presents event shed some light on what’s coming. The catch? We won’t be able to play it until 2026.
- Overview of Pokémon Champions gameplay and features
- How teams are formed and battle types
- New UI elements and battle mechanics
- Platforms and release timeframe
What’s New in Pokémon Champions?
The game focuses on competitive battles in stadium arenas filled with an NPC audience, reminiscent of the arena battles in Pokémon Sword and Shield. Players can build their teams by either transferring Pokémon from Pokémon Home or by selecting from a pre-made roster within Pokémon Champions itself.
Battles come in two flavors: private matches and global ranked matches. You can choose to fight in either single or double battles, making the competitive scene quite versatile. Everything revolves around a new currency called VP (V-Points). These points allow you to tweak your Pokémon’s stats, switch moves, or even adjust their “stat alignment” (Natures) at certain costs, adding a strategic layer to team building and battle tactics.
Gameplay and User Interface Updates
One of the cool new UI features is a percentage displayed next to each Pokémon’s HP gauge, so you can quickly see exactly how much health remains. Plus, there’s now an escape button that lets players concede battles if things aren’t going their way — a nice quality-of-life improvement for competitive matches.
The Pokémon Company previously described Pokémon Champions as “a new, battle-focused game that features familiar mechanics such as Pokémon types, Abilities, and moves, creating an environment conducive to rich and varied strategies for new and experienced Trainers alike.”
When and Where Can You Play?
Pokémon Champions is set to launch on Nintendo Switch as well as Android and iOS mobile devices. However, don’t get your hopes up for a quick release — the game is scheduled to arrive sometime in 2026. That gives trainers plenty of time to prepare and anticipate what could be one of the most competitive Pokémon experiences yet.
For a closer look, check out the official trailer from the Pokémon Presents event below:
