Free-to-Play Pokémon Game Is Shutting Down After 5 Years

Published Oct 27, 2026, 6:05 AM EDT Ashely currently works as a news writer for Polygon. After getting her Translation degree, she was hired as a guide and news writer for GameRant and TheGamer. She enjoyed working as an author for these sites for six years, and in 2026, she started at Polygon, where she is able to continue to do what she loves: writing about video games. It's time to say goodbye to Pokémon's free MOBA Image: OML/The Pokémon Company Sign in to your Polygon.com account Pokémon games come in all shapes and forms. There are the mainline Pokémon games, where players must collect 'em all and engage in battle with other trainers. But these pocket monsters have appeared in other video game genres as part of several series spin-offs. For example, Pokémon Unite is a MOBA similar to League of Legends but with Pokémon. The concept is fun, and the fact that it's free-to-play caught the attention of many. Unfortunately, its servers will soon shut down permanently. Pokémon Unite was released in the summer of 2021, and after five years, its time has come. The Pokémon MOBA-style game is scheduled to shut down on Mar. 22, 2027, at 9 p.m. ET. The Pokémon UNITE Aeos Crown 2027 tournament will still occur, which is why the closure date is a day after finals. It'll be the competitors' final chance to say goodbye. Once servers shut down, Pokémon Unite will no longer be available on any platform, meaning on Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS. The Pokémon Company did not disclose why it will stop supporting Pokémon Unite. To prevent players from spending money on the game, Gems are no longer for sale, and any unused purchased Gems will be refunded once the service ends. Additionally, memberships will remain active until they expire, but gamers will not be able to renew them. Pokémon Unite unlockables and stats can be viewed after shutdown Image: TiMi Studio Group/The Pokémon Company On Nov. 12, 2026, Pokémon Unite will receive a final update. It will include a special event, giving players the opportunity to collect licenses and holowear that they might have missed. It also introduces the Library feature, which can be accessed after Unite's termination date, allowing players to view their stats and unlocked content. The in-game shop will have previously unsold items, such as Battle Pass items and event-exclusive holowear, at a great discount for those who would like to make additions to their Library. Mar. 22 will be a sad day for fans who have invested time and resources into Pokémon Unite. On the bright side, they will still be able to view everything they have acquired thanks to the Library feature.