Pokemon Champions Replacing VGC Is The Most Important Change In Competitive Pokemon History

During the closing ceremonies at this year’s Pokemon World Championship Series, The Pokemon Company dropped a bombshell. In 2026, the upcoming Pokemon Champions will replace Pokemon Scarlet & Violet as the official software for tournament play. For the first time since VGC was introduced to Worlds in 2008, the current mainline video game will not be featured at the World Championship. Instead, a not-yet-released mobile game will take its place.

This isn’t totally unexpected. Champions has been positioned as the new platform for Pokemon battles since it was first announced, and with no new mainline game in sight, it’s as good a time as any to make the swap. For a variety of reasons, the announcement has proven to be somewhat controversial among fans, with some praising the new titles emphasis on approachability, and others fearful of how this change will disrupt the competitive landscape. No matter what side you’re on however, this will undoubtedly be one of the most consequential moments in competitive VGC history.

So Long Scarlet & Violet, Hello Pokemon Champions

Pokemon Champions was announced during this year’s Pokemon Presents back in February, and the immediate reception to it among fans was positive. Presented as a modern take on Pokemon Stadium, Champions puts battles front and center and builds on the battle systems in the mainline games. The first game from Pokemon Works, a joint venture between The Pokemon Company and Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl developer ILCA, Champions is built from the ground up to serve as a platform for competitive Pokemon battling that can grow and evolve on its own outside of the mainline games.

While we don’t know all of the features and quality-of-life updates Champions will have, we do know it will be free-to-start, and have compatibility with both Pokemon Home and Scarlet & Violet. Players should have a fairly easy time bringing their teams over to Champions from their collection, hopefully making the transition as seamless as possible. Champions will also launch on iOS, Android, and Nintendo Switch (Switch 2 not yet confirmed), making Pokemon battles accessible to a new demographic of players all around the world for the first time.

Champions Will Break Down Barriers To Get More Trainers Battling

Accessibility and approachability are a huge part of what Champions will have to offer. The game will feature both cross-play and cross-save between mobile and Switch, as well as a way to start battling and collecting Pokemon for free. Normally you’d need to buy the newest Nintendo console and the newest mainline game to participate in competitive Pokemon, but with Champions, you’ll be able to start battling with the mobile device or Switch you already have. Making Pokemon battling a more affordable hobby is great for fans around the world, especially in today’s economy.

Cost is just one barrier to playing Pokemon competitively; the other is time. Hunting, catching, and training competitively viable Pokemon has always been a long and arduous process, and one that unnecessarily gatekeeps the hobby from those who don’t have an abundance of time. Champions aims to modernize the Pokemon training process by giving players more control over their Pokemon’s stats, allowing you to customize your team without having to spend countless hours grinding.

Not everyone considers these changes good news, though. Some are concerned that moving competitive Pokemon battling to a mobile platform will cheapen it, taking away some of the prestige that has made VGC one of the most high-profile esports out there. There are also those who prefer the competitive scene to have a high barrier to entry, because they value the investment they’ve made in order to compete. There’s also some worry that Champions is an untested platform that won’t launch until 2026, which doesn’t give players or developers a lot of time to prepare before next year’s World Championship.

A Forever Platform For Pokemon Esports?

There’s still a lot we don’t know about Pokemon Champions, but based on the details so far, it looks like the pros outweigh the cons here. Champions is a purpose-built platform for competitive Pokemon that can grow and adapt over time in a way that the video games never could. As an esport, Pokemon battling is a living game just like Go, Unite, and VGC, and it only makes sense that it would have its own platform separate from the single-player RPGs.

It’s likely there will be bumps along the way, and growing pains throughout the first year. As a years-long Unite and Go player, I’m concerned about how much another free-to-start Pokemon mobile game will cost me in the long run. But at the same time, I know this will bring the hobby to more players around the world, and give TPC a way to provide more dedicated support for the competitive Pokemon community. There will be a World Champion someday who exclusively plays on mobile. The sooner players get over their hang-ups about Champions, the better positioned they’ll be to face the competition that’s coming.

Created by

Satoshi Tajiri

First Film

Pokemon: The First Movie

Latest Film

Pokémon the Movie: Secrets of the Jungle

First TV Show

Pokémon

First Episode Air Date

April 1, 1997

Video Game(s)

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Pokemon Legends Arceus, Pokemon Sword and Shield, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Pokemon Sun and Moon, Pokemon Black and White, Pokemon Diamond and Pearl, Pokémon GO, Pokemon Snap, Pokémon Unite, New Pokémon Snap, Pokémon Masters EX, Pokemon TCG Live