Does Pokemon Champions require Nintendo Switch Online?

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It may be a free game, but with its online features, we find out whether Pokemon Champions requires NSO

A pink-haired player punches the air in victory in Pokemon Champions.
(Image credit: The Pokemon Works)

Since most of the game takes place online, it's natural to wonder whether Pokemon Champions requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Though it's considered a free game, Pokemon Champions has some paid content, but whether it is truly free-to-play depends on whether you need the separate NSO subscription. We've done some testing, and have all the answers right here.

Does Pokemon Champions require a Nintendo Switch Online subscription?

The online matchmaking screen in Pokemon Champions.

(Image credit: The Pokemon Works)

No, Pokemon Champions doesn't require a NSO subscription. You aren't even restricted to playing with friends, and can embark on online battles without a membership to the online service.

Pokemon Champions works in a similar fashion to Pokemon Unite, another free Nintendo game which doesn't require the subscription to play online. Since you don't need NSO to use Pokemon Home either, you can also recruit Pokemon to Champions from Home for free, as well.

The official Pokemon Champions website does state that a Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to access some Champions content, though we're yet to work out what that is. It could be referring the ability to participate in Online Competitions, which we'll confirm when the next one goes live.

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Danielle Rose
Danielle Rose
Guides Writer

After studying Music and Lifestyle journalism and writing a column for a stylish lifestyle magazine in her hometown of Brighton, Danielle finally found her feet writing about videogames for WePC in 2021. She then honed her guides writing skills at PCGamesN between 2022 and 2026, when she took those skills to GamesRadar as a Guides Writer. Danielle's guides are a safe space - she definitely got stuck before you did, which is why she's perfect for the job. When she's not replaying the Silent Hill games or a more up-to-date single-player horror game, you'll find her fighting for her life in Dead by Daylight, tending to a garden in Stardew Valley, or doing both in Minecraft.

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