Pokémon Champions Hits Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in April 2026
Take on Trainers from around the world and battle with recently discovered Mega-Evolved Pokémon.
Pokémon Champions Releases on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on April 8, 2026
The Pokémon Company and Nintendo announced today that Pokémon Champions, the highly anticipated next mainline entry in the beloved franchise, will launch simultaneously on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on April 8, 2026. The new title promises to deliver the most ambitious competitive Pokémon experience to date, inviting players to challenge Trainers from every corner of the globe in real-time battles. Pre-orders are now available at major retailers and through the Nintendo eShop.
At the heart of Pokémon Champions is a revamped battle system built around recently discovered Mega-Evolved Pokémon, which introduce powerful new forms and abilities never before seen in the series. These new Mega Evolutions extend beyond the original roster of Mega-compatible Pokémon, granting fan favorites from multiple generations stunning transformations that reshape competitive strategy. Players will need to carefully build their teams and master the unique strengths of each Mega-Evolved form to climb the global rankings.
The game features a robust online infrastructure designed to support worldwide matchmaking, ranked ladders, and seasonal tournaments. Players can compete in both casual and competitive modes, with a dedicated spectator system that allows fans to watch top-ranked battles in real time. The Pokémon Company has also confirmed plans to integrate Pokémon Champions into the official Play Pokémon competitive circuit, making it a centerpiece of future Pokémon World Championships events.
Pokémon Champions will take full advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware with enhanced visuals, faster load times, and improved online performance, while remaining fully playable on the original Nintendo Switch. The dual-platform release ensures that the massive existing Switch player base will not be left behind as the franchise moves into its next generation. With its focus on global competition and the excitement of newly discovered Mega Evolutions, Pokémon Champions is shaping up to be one of the biggest releases of 2026.