In the Pokémon World Championship series, first 2026 and Future formats will also apply Pokémon masters as a match for VGC competitors instead of the “main” game. To change the format even more next year, Pokémon Champions will cover Mega Evolution mechanics in an official format.
Usually players compete in fierce battles Pokémon all year round for a place in Pokémon World Championships using the latest game “Core” or “Mainline” Pokémon, such as Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, or Pokémon Sword and Shield earlier.
Pokémon Champions is not an independent narrative game, but rather a recent, oriented Pokémon game arriving on both mobile and Nintendo Switch. It has a simplified training system that should make a competitive fight more accessible than ever. It will also have compatibility with Pokémon Home, enabling trainers to transfer older Pokémon from other games. We are not sure which Pokémon from what games will be legal in the format next year.
Pokémon Champions contains “core style battles” with tricks from all Pokémon eras, including Mega Evolution, originating in Pokémon X and Y and terrastitation, from the recent Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Until now, we know that Mega Evolution will return in ranking battles in this year’s official format. Mega Dragonite, recently disclosed in the Pokémon Legends trailer: Za, will also come to Pokémon Champions.
Pokémon Champions is to be released in 2026 and is developed by Game Freak in cooperation with Pokémon Works. Players usually start to compete for championship points shortly after the world championships in the previous year, so we have not yet seen how the release date will affect tournaments in this year’s format.
This is a year of many news for the Pokemon World Championships. Kevin Han, the VGC master, went down in history, taking the title of Master in Junior, and then the senior over the years, and for the first time the championship took place in the arena. Next year, the Sunday of the Pokemon 2026 World Cup will take place at the Chase Arena in San Francisco. Do not miss all ads from the 2025 Pokemon World Championships.
Casey Defreitas is the deputy editor of the guide team in IGN, and this year was discussed for the second time by the Pokémon World Championships in Anaheim, California. Catch her on communities @Shinycased.
