It’s a big year for the Pokémon franchise, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, and Pokémon Champions is set to bring major changes to the competitive scene.
Fresh off the heels of Pokopia, Pokémon Champions is the next video game release for the franchise, putting a new spin on the competitive angle of the game, with the new title set to take over as the main source of battling in VGC.
If you’re looking for details on exactly when Pokémon Champions is landing, Insider Gaming has all the details you need.
When is Pokémon Champions Coming Out?
Pokémon Champions is set for release on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 consoles on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Having initially revealed the title last year, and having already confirmed that the VGC portion of the 2026 Pokémon World Championship would be competed in Pokémon Champions, fans have had to patiently wait for the release date to be nailed down.
- More Insider Gaming: Pokémon Champions Battle Pass Pricing Revealed For Japan
The wait is almost over, however, and Pokémon Champions is locked in for launch, though this merely marks the next step in the game’s journey.
A mobile version of Pokémon Champions will be released later in 2026, while additional updates to the game will bring more Pokémon and mechanics further down the line.
Do We Know The Pokémon Champions Start Time?
No, the start time for Pokémon Champions is yet to be confirmed, and it isn’t currently displayed in the Nintendo eShop.
As Pokémon Champions is an online title, it’s likely that a global release structure will be adopted, making the game available simultaneously in all regions, rather than a staggered release like the ones that took place for Pokopia and Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
- More Insider Gaming: Pokémon Reveals First VGC Events Using Pokémon Champions
Given it’s a new release, it’s not possible to make an accurate prediction for the start time, as the update times for other titles vary. For example, Pokémon Go’s global updates are different to the drop of new sets in Pokémon TCG Pocket.
Keep an eye out on this page for updates; however, as we’ll be sure to update this article to include the precise release time as soon as we are able to.
Are you excited for the release of Pokémon Champions? Share your thoughts about the upcoming release in the Insider Gaming Discord.
For more Pokémon Champions, read about confirmation of balance patches to the game, and check out the new Pokémon abilities for Legends: Z-A Mega Evolutions.
Comments