Pokemon Champions will take over from the mainline games that have served as the primary platform for the Video Game Championships (VGC) series since 2009. While many details about the upcoming game remain under wraps, Pokemon Champions already appears poised to end one of the longest-standing traditions in competitive events.
When the first official VGC World Championship was held 16 years ago, Trainers competed using the mainline game Pokemon Platinum. Since then, every subsequent event has followed the same tradition, using the latest Pokemon release as the competition’s battleground. But that will change in 2026, when a new entry in the franchise finally launches.
Pokemon Champions Is VGC Events’ New Central Hub
According to The Pokemon Company, when Pokemon Champions arrives in 2026, it will become the central hub for all VGC-related activities. In other words, Trainers will bring their Pokemon to this game and use it as the arena for all championship battles. It has also been confirmed that the game is compatible with Pokemon Home, allowing fans to use critters captured in other installments. However, it is not clear which pocket monsters will be eligible for in-person events.
Another unconfirmed detail is how players will collect Championship Points (CP) before Pokemon Champions debuts. Typically, when the annual World Championships conclude, all player CPs are reset, and they must compete in regional or international Play! Pokemon events to earn credits for next year’s contest. However, since the new central hub won’t be released until 2026, it’s unclear whether the current CP accumulation process will continue or if it will be modified.
Another key update for future Pokemon VGC events is that Mega Evolution will be allowed. Mega-evolved Pokemon last played a significant role in the in-person competitions back in 2019, when Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon were the latest mainline titles. With the imminent release of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, these sturdy creatures appear ready to return to competitive matches and are likely to remain a lasting feature.
Pokemon Champions doesn’t have a release date yet, but it has been confirmed to be launching on both mobile and Nintendo Switch consoles sometime in 2026. The game will come in two editions: one free-to-play, likely with limited features, and another with paid content, possibly exclusive to Switch consoles. More details about Pokemon Champions and its impact on the forthcoming Play! Pokemon competitions are expected to be revealed in the near future.
