The Pokémon Champions release date is finally here, as the online multiplayer is set to go live very soon. If you are planning to jump in at launch, here is exactly when you can play Pokémon Champions on the Nintendo Switch 2 in your region.

Pokémon Champions Release Date Explained

The Pokémon Champions release date is set for Wednesday, April 8, 2026. It’s hard to believe that the new online multiplayer title was originally announced over a year ago during the 2025 Pokémon Day celebrations. However, the wait is almost over, as we are now just days away from its launch.

To get ready for it, trainers will want to know when Pokémon Champions actually releases in their time zones. Thankfully, we have a pretty good idea based on previous Pokémon releases. With Pokémon Champions being a Nintendo first-party title, it will likely launch on the Nintendo eShop at 9 PM PT or 12 AM (midnight) ET.

For your convenience, here is a table that shows exactly when the Pokémon Champions release time is in every region:

Update: An official post on the Pokémon Champions Japanese social media account says the game will launch “around noon” in Japan. This has led some to speculate that the multiplayer could launch an hour earlier than the times listed below. So for example, it would launch in North America at 8PM PT or 11 PM ET on April 7. However, the account just gave a vague window and not an exact time.

Pokémon Champions Release Times (All Regions)

Region	Local Time	Date
North America (PT)	9:00 PM	April 7
North America (ET)	12:00 AM	April 8
Canada (ET)	12:00 AM	April 8
United Kingdom (GMT)	5:00 AM	April 8
Europe (CET)	6:00 AM	April 8
Japan (JST)	2:00 PM	April 8
Brazil (BRT)	2:00 AM	April 8
Australia (AEDT)	4:00 PM	April 8
New Zealand (NZDT)	6:00 PM	April 8

Could Pokémon Champions Release Earlier?

On certain occasions, some Pokémon content gets released early based on Japan time. However, this is typically reserved for updates or DLC. For example, the Pokémon Legends Z-A Mega Dimension DLC went live at 5 PM PT- about four hours earlier than usual.

However, Pokémon Champions will most likely stick to the standard 9 PM PT launch window based on recent Pokémon releases. For example:

• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet
  • Release Date: November 17, 2022
  • Release Time: 9pm PT
• Pokémon Legends Z-A
  • Release Date: October 16, 2025
  • Release Time: 9pm PT
• Pokémon Pokopia
  • Release Date: March 5, 2026
  • Release Time: 9pm PT

Yes, this also means that Champions will technically release on April 7 for some time zones. North American players on PT, for example, will get access a day earlier due to how global launch times work. That said, it’s only a few hours early. So it’s not a huge advantage. Honestly, getting it during the day might be better than a late-night unlock that happens during bedtime.

Pokémon Champions Mobile Release Date (Android, iOS)

Unfortunately, the Pokémon Champions release date has been delayed for mobile devices. At the time of writing, Game Freak has not shared any details on when the game will launch on iOS and Android, beyond stating “later in 2026.”

That means at launch, Pokémon Champions will only be available on the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. So if you are planning to jump into the multiplayer title on April 8, just keep in mind that it will only be playable on Switch consoles at release.