How to Transfer Pokemon to Pokemon Champions Using Pokemon HOME
The Pokémon HOME transfer to Pokémon Champions process is straightforward once you know the steps — but there are Pokédex eligibility requirements, subscription tier differences, and common errors that trip up first-time transferers. This 2026 tutorial walks through every step, from HOME deposit to Champions team selection.
Pokémon HOME: Free vs. Premium for Champions Transfers
Before you transfer, you need to know which HOME tier you're using. The differences matter:
| Feature | HOME Free | HOME Premium (~£3.50/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Pokémon in storage | Up to 30 | Up to 6,000 |
| Champions transfers per day | 1 | Unlimited |
| GTS / Wonder Trade | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Pokémon Bank compatibility | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Cross-game transfers | Limited (1 per day) | Unlimited |
For competitive Champions players transferring a full team of 6, Premium is effectively required — the 1-per-day Free limit makes team building impractical.
Champions Transfer Eligibility: Which Pokémon Can Transfer?
Not every Pokémon in HOME can be sent to Champions. Eligibility rules:
- The Pokémon must be in the Champions Pokédex — the game launched with a 400-mon roster, expanded each season. Check the in-game Pokédex to confirm your target is listed.
- Pokémon must have been legally obtainable in at least one compatible source game (Legends Z-A, Scarlet/Violet, SWSH, BDSP, or PLA).
- Form restrictions apply: Some regional forms and Gigantamax forms have Champions-specific appearance rules. Gigantamax factor transfers but the visual form only activates within compatible battle modes.
- Illegal or flagged Pokémon are rejected by HOME before they even reach the Champions transfer screen — if HOME accepted it, Champions will also accept it.
Step-by-Step: Transferring Pokémon to Champions
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1Open Pokémon HOME on Nintendo Switch or mobile. Confirm your target Pokémon is in a HOME Box. If it was traded to you (e.g. from The Pokestar), it arrives directly in your HOME Boxes after the trade.
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2Launch Pokémon Champions and go to the Main Menu. Select Pokémon HOME Transfer from the main navigation.
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3Select "Import from HOME." The game connects to your HOME account. Your eligible HOME Boxes will appear in a grid view.
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4Select the Pokémon you want to import. The interface shows eligibility status — a green tick means it can transfer. Grey or red means it's ineligible for this season's format.
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5Confirm the transfer. The Pokémon moves from HOME into your Champions storage. Note: this is a copy in Champions — the original remains in HOME.
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6Apply held items, Mega Stones, and Tera Shards in the Champions Item Bag. Pokémon arrive without items — you equip these inside Champions using the in-game economy.
Common Errors & Fixes
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| "Pokémon not eligible" | Not in Champions Pokédex | Check Season Pokédex update — may be added next patch |
| "HOME connection failed" | Network timeout or HOME maintenance | Restart Champions and try again; check Nintendo status page |
| Grey Pokémon in grid | Pokémon failed HOME legitimacy check | Re-check original source; if traded, contact your seller |
| "Transfer limit reached" | Free HOME tier — 1/day cap | Upgrade to HOME Premium or wait until midnight reset |
| Pokémon arrives without moves | Move availability varies per game source | Use Champions' Move Reminder NPC to restore legal movesets |
Get Champions-Ready Pokémon Delivered Fast
Need a competitive Blaziken, Garchomp, or Legendary for your Champions team? Browse our HOME-compatible catalogue — every Pokémon ready for instant transfer.
Browse Champions-Ready Pokémon →For more transfer tutorials and Champions strategy, visit the Trainer Hub. Browse our 6IV competitive catalogue and legendary Pokémon store at The Pokestar. Browse more Pokémon guides at the Pokémon News & Guides Blog.
