The Pokémon World Championships are heading into uncharted territory. Starting in 2026, the competitive stage will no longer revolve around the latest mainline titles like Scarlet and Violet.
Instead, trainers will battle in Pokémon Champions, a new multiplayer-focused game designed specifically for competitive play.
Unlike traditional Pokémon RPGs, Champions won’t follow a story-driven adventure. Instead, it emphasizes streamlined training and faster team-building to make high-level competition more accessible to newcomers and veterans alike. The game will be available on both Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, with full compatibility with Pokémon Home, allowing players to transfer legacy Pokémon into the new battle format.
One of the biggest shake-ups is the official return of Mega Evolution to Ranked Battles, marking its first appearance in the competitive ruleset in years. Mega Evolution, introduced in X and Y, joins forces with other generational mechanics like Terastalization from Scarlet and Violet. Game Freak has already confirmed Mega Dragonite – first teased in the Pokémon Legends: Z-A trailer – will be part of the roster in Champions.
The decision marks the first time a spin-off style title takes center stage at the World Championships. Developed by Game Freak in collaboration with The Pokémon Works, Pokémon Champions is slated for release in 2026, though the exact timing raises questions about how the competitive calendar will adapt to the new format.
The 2025 season was historic on its own: Kevin Han became the first competitor to secure championship titles in both Junior and Senior divisions back-to-back, and Championship Sunday debuted in an arena setting. Next year, the finals will move to Chase Arena in San Francisco, promising an even larger stage for the community’s biggest showdown.
With new mechanics, a brand-new competitive platform, and iconic arenas, the Pokémon World Championships are entering a bold new era.