Pokémon Champions: A New Era in Competitive Battling Set for 2026

The Pokémon Company has exciting news for fans of competitive battling: Pokémon Champions is on the horizon, scheduled for release in 2026. This new game aims to become the primary platform for Pokémon Video Game Championships (VGC) and will adopt a unique "free-to-start" model. While this terminology differs from the typical free-to-play structure, initial details indicate it won’t involve purchasable in-game currency using real money, suggesting a focus on player engagement without a heavy reliance on microtransactions.

Nintendo has outlined that Pokémon Champions will be available not only on Nintendo Switch 2 but also on the original Switch and mobile devices. Although speculation is rife about how the game will transition from its initial free access to a paid version, possibilities include limited free features or a subscription model, reminiscent of strategies seen in other recent releases.

This forward-thinking approach aims to engage players and foster a competitive environment among Pokémon enthusiasts, building excitement leading up to the game's release. More specifics regarding the paid version are expected to be revealed in the future.

As we anticipate the debut of Pokémon Champions, enthusiasts can continue to enjoy a variety of existing Pokémon games that are still captivating audiences around the globe.

Source: Pokemon Stadium-like battling game Pokemon Champions is "free-to start," but a "paid digital version" is coming to Switch 2 and OG Switch too