Pokémon Champions Starter Pack: If you just downloaded Pokémon Champions and you are already seeing the Starter Pack option pop up, I get it — it can be confusing. Should you spend the money? What exactly do you get? Is it even worth it if the game is free to play?
I have gone through all the official details so you do not have to. Let me break it all down in a way that actually makes sense.
What Is Pokémon Champions?
Before I get into the Starter Pack, let me quickly cover what Pokémon Champions actually is, because this game is a big deal.
Pokémon Champions is a free-to-start battle game developed by GAME FREAK and The Pokémon Works. It launched in April 2026 on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, with a mobile version planned for later in 2026. The game was first announced on Pokémon Day, February 27, 2025, during a Pokémon Presents stream.
The game focuses entirely on competitive Pokémon battles. Think of it like the Battle Stadium from the main Pokémon games, but as its own standalone title. You can battle players from all over the world, climb ranked leaderboards, and even compete in official tournaments. In fact, Pokémon Champions is now the main platform for the Video Game Championships (VGC), starting in 2026.
What Is the Pokémon Champions Starter Pack?
The Pokémon Champions Starter Pack is a one-time optional purchase that comes bundled with the base game. Its official name on the Nintendo eShop is the Pokémon Champions + Starter Pack bundle.
The base version of the game is completely free. The Starter Pack just gives you some extra in-game items and storage to help you get going faster. You are not required to buy it, but if you are just starting out and do not have trained Pokémon saved in Pokémon HOME, it is one of the first purchases worth thinking about.
Pokémon Champions Starter Pack: Quick Overview Table
| Feature | Free Game | With Starter Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon Storage (Base) | 30 slots | 80 slots |
| Pokémon Storage (Champion Rank) | 50 slots | 100 slots |
| Teammate Tickets | 0 | 30 Tickets |
| Training Tickets | 0 | 50 Tickets |
| Bonus Battle Music | No | Yes (Let’s Go! theme) |
| Purchase Type | Free | One-time only |
| Price | $0 | ~$6.99 to $10.50 (eShop) |
What Is Included in the Starter Pack?
Here is exactly what you get when you buy the Starter Pack. All of this comes straight from the official Pokémon Champions website and Nintendo’s official store listing.
Extra Pokémon Storage Space
By default, the free version of the game gives you storage for 30 Pokémon. Once you reach Champion Rank, that goes up to 50 spots. When you buy the Starter Pack, those numbers jump to 80 slots by default, and 100 slots at Champion Rank. That is 50 additional storage spaces added permanently to your account.
If you plan on transferring Pokémon from Pokémon HOME or recruiting a lot of Pokémon through Roster Ranch, this extra space is really useful. Without it, you will hit your storage cap pretty fast.
30 Teammate Tickets
Teammate Tickets are used to permanently recruit Pokémon from the Roster Ranch feature. Normally, recruiting Pokémon costs Victory Points (VP), which is the in-game currency you earn from battling. With Teammate Tickets, you skip that VP cost completely — one ticket gets you one permanent recruit.
If you are brand new to the game and do not have your own trained Pokémon coming in from HOME, these tickets are a great head start. You can build a team right away without grinding for VP first.
50 Training Tickets
Training Tickets work similarly to Teammate Tickets, but for training instead of recruiting. Training a Pokémon in Pokémon Champions normally costs VP. Each Training Ticket lets you complete one training session without spending any VP, regardless of how much that session would have cost.
With 50 of these, you can fully develop several Pokémon from the start and focus on battling right away.
Bonus Battle Music
The Starter Pack also adds a new background music track you can play during your battles. The track is the “Battle! (Trainer Battle)” song from Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!
This is more of a fun bonus than a game-changing perk, but it is a nice touch if you have nostalgia for those games.
How Much Does the Starter Pack Cost?
The Pokémon Champions Starter Pack price on the Nintendo eShop is listed around $6.99 to $10.50 USD, depending on where you are seeing it. The bundle includes the base game plus all the bonuses listed above.
You can buy it two ways:
Option 1: Buy the Pokémon Champions + Starter Pack bundle directly from the Nintendo eShop when you first download the game.
Option 2: Download the base game for free first, then purchase the Starter Pack separately later through the eShop if you decide you want it.
One important thing to know — the Starter Pack can only be purchased from the Nintendo eShop. It is not available through the in-game Premium Shop. Also, it is limited to one purchase per Nintendo Account, meaning you can only buy it once.
Is the Pokémon Champions Starter Pack Worth Buying?
Here is my honest take on who should buy it and who probably does not need to.
You Should Buy It If…
You are brand new to Pokémon Champions and do not have a bench of trained Pokémon sitting in Pokémon HOME ready to transfer over. In that case, the Teammate Tickets and Training Tickets give you a real advantage in getting your team ready to battle quickly. Without them, you are looking at a grind to earn enough VP to recruit and train Pokémon from scratch.
The extra storage also matters more than you might think. As you start collecting Pokémon or transferring them from HOME, 30 slots fills up fast. Going to 80 right away saves you the headache of managing a tight roster early on.
You Can Wait If…
You already have strong, trained Pokémon in Pokémon HOME that you can transfer into Champions. In that situation, you do not need the Teammate Tickets to recruit right away. You could hold off and only buy the Starter Pack later if you want to expand your roster or need the extra Training Tickets for future Pokémon.
Since the Starter Pack is a one-time purchase and not a subscription, there is no rush to grab it immediately. It will still be there whenever you decide you want it.
How to Purchase the Pokémon Champions Starter Pack
Here is how to get it:
Step 1: Go to the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2.
Step 2: Search for “Pokémon Champions + Starter Pack” or find it on the game’s eShop page.
Step 3: Purchase the bundle. The Starter Pack benefits will be added to your account immediately.
Step 4: If you already have the base game downloaded, the bonuses will carry over automatically. Your save data is preserved.
Keep in mind that the Starter Pack is tied to the Nintendo Account you use to purchase it. The benefits cannot be shared with family group members through Nintendo Account sharing.
Important Things to Know About Pokémon HOME and Transfers
Since Pokémon Champions connects with Pokémon HOME, there are a few rules worth knowing before you start transferring your Pokémon over.
Not every Pokémon in HOME is available in Pokémon Champions. Only Pokémon that are confirmed to appear in Champions can be transferred. More Pokémon may be added in future updates alongside new regulations.
When a Pokémon visits Champions from HOME for the first time, its Effort Values (converted to the new Stat Point system), Nature or Mint stat alignment, and its most recent moveset are all carried over. Any changes you make to that Pokémon inside Champions are not reflected back in HOME when you send it back.
Also worth noting — Pokémon you originally obtained in Pokémon Champions cannot be deposited back into Pokémon HOME. This only applies to Pokémon you caught or received in Champions itself, not ones you transferred in from HOME.
Pokémon Champions Battle Modes Explained
Beyond the Starter Pack, it helps to know what you are jumping into when you first boot up the game.
Ranked Battle
This is the main competitive mode. You fight other players around the world and earn or lose Victory Points (VP) based on your results. Your rank updates based on how you perform, and the goal is to climb as high as possible each season. Seasons reset periodically, and new regulations change which Pokémon are eligible, so the meta keeps shifting.
Casual Battle
If you just want to battle without the pressure of your rank being affected, Casual Battle is the way to go. You can still learn the ropes, try out different teams, and have fun without worrying about VP.
Private Battle
Private Battle mode lets you set up matches with friends or family. It is perfect for practicing with people you know or just having a chill match without randoms.
Free Launch Bonus: Claim Your Free Dragonite
If you play Pokémon Champions before August 31, 2026, you can claim a free Dragonite and 100 Quick Coupons directly from your in-game mailbox. That is a solid bonus just for playing early.
On top of that, if you keep playing through the first season’s Battle Pass, you can earn a Dragoninite stone. When Dragonite holds the Dragoninite stone, it can Mega Evolve into Mega Dragonite. That is a pretty exciting reward just for sticking with the game through its first season.
Final Thoughts on the Pokémon Champions Starter Pack
The Pokémon Champions Starter Pack is a solid one-time investment if you are coming into the game without a library of trained Pokémon ready in HOME. The combination of extra storage, Teammate Tickets, and Training Tickets gives you a meaningful head start. The price point is low compared to most gaming purchases, and since it is a one-time deal, you are not locked into a subscription.
That said, the game is fully playable for free. If you are patient and enjoy grinding for VP through battles, you can absolutely work your way up without spending anything. The Starter Pack just speeds things up.
I would say if you are even slightly serious about competing in Pokémon Champions, the Starter Pack is worth picking up early. It sets you up well and lets you focus on the actual battling instead of worrying about storage or recruitment costs right from the start.
Read More: How to Unlock More Pokémon in Pokémon Champions (Full Beginner Guide)