Pokémon Champions is releasing on Nintendo Switch consoles in early April, but its "free-to-start" package raises some questions about its pricing model

Eurogamer • March 25, 2026 • technology

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The Pokémon Company announced Pokémon Champions, a new free-to-play competitive spinoff game launching on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on April 8, with a later release planned for mobile devices.
Pokémon Champions will support transferring Pokémon from Scarlet & Violet and Legends: Arceus via Pokémon Home, but not from Pokémon Go, and Pokémon Home’s free plan has significant storage limitations impacting competitive play.
To fully enjoy Pokémon Champions and manage larger Pokémon collections, players will likely need to invest in paid plans, including a $15.99 yearly Pokémon Home Premium subscription and in-game purchases such as battle passes (~$9), starter packs (~$6), and membership subscriptions (~$4.75/month).
The game’s monetization model centers on seasonal rewards, expanded Pokémon storage, exclusive quests, and music, indicating that maintaining a competitive edge with a customized team may require considerable ongoing spending.

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