The Pokemon Champions game is set to succeed the mainline titles that have been the foundation for the Video Game Championships (VGC) series since 2009. A plethora of details regarding this upcoming release remain under wraps, but Pokemon Champions is already poised to disrupt one of the longest-standing traditions in competitive gaming.

The first official VGC World Championship took place sixteen years ago, showcasing contestants competing with the mainline title Pokemon Platinum. Since then, each championship has adhered to the same custom of utilizing the latest Pokemon game for battles. However, this script will flip in 2026 with the launch of the new game.

According to The Pokemon Company, when Pokemon Champions rolls out in 2026, it will serve as the core platform for VGC activities. Trainers will bring their Pokemon to this game for all championship bouts, and it has been confirmed that it will be compatible with Pokemon Home, enabling the inclusion of creatures from previous titles. Nevertheless, the specifics of which Pokemon will feature in sanctioned events remain ambiguous.

Another point still to be clarified is how players will accumulate Championship Points (CP) prior to the launch of Pokemon Champions. Generally, after the annual World Championships conclude, all players’ CPs are reset, and they must engage in regional or international Play! Pokemon events to gather credits for the next year’s competition. As the new hub won’t debut until 2026, it is yet to be determined whether the present CP buildup procedure will persist or transform.

An additional significant update for upcoming Pokemon VGC events is the allowance of Mega Evolution, which last held prominence in competitions back in 2019, during the era of Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. With the expected release of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, these robust creatures are likely to make a comeback in competitive battles and are expected to feature prominently.

Although Pokemon Champions does not yet have a fixed launch date, it is confirmed for release on both mobile and Nintendo Switch platforms sometime in 2026. The game will be made available in two versions: one free-to-play, potentially limited, and another with paid features, likely exclusive to Nintendo Switch. More insights about Pokemon Champions and its ramifications for future Play! Pokemon competitions are anticipated to emerge soon.