Pokémon Unite will shut down on March 23, 2027
The free-to-play Pokémon MOBA ends service on Switch and mobile after nearly six years, and Aeos Gems are no longer on sale.
By GamesNewsly Desk2 min read
Pokémon Unite is closing down. The Pokémon Company has announced that service for the free-to-play MOBA will end on March 23, 2027, on both Nintendo Switch and mobile. If you play, or have spent money in the game, the sales cutoff has already started.
The end date
According to Eurogamer, the company's notice says service will end "on Tuesday, March 23, 2027, at 00:00 UTC." Nintendo Life reports that the shutdown applies to "both the Nintendo Switch and mobile device version" of the game, and Gematsu notes that the announcement came from The Pokémon Company and developer TiMi Studio Group.
The game's final competition, the Aeos Crown 2027, will be held in Tokyo two days before the servers go offline, IGN reports. GameSpot describes the closure as coming just days after that tournament.
In-game purchases stop now
The shutdown notice comes with an immediate change to the store. IGN reports that in-game sales were suspended as soon as the announcement went out, and GameSpot says the game's premium currency, Aeos Gems, is no longer being sold.
A farewell from the team
Pokémon Unite launched on Nintendo Switch on July 21, 2021, which is why GameSpot frames the closure as coming after nearly six years. In the announcement, The Pokémon Company and TiMi Studio Group thanked players, saying they "offer our sincerest gratitude to the many Trainers who have played since service started for the Nintendo Switch version." They said they hope players "continue to enjoy Pokemon Unite until the final day of" service.
Not a complete surprise
Nintendo Life notes that there had been talk for some time about the game winding down, especially after it was officially dropped from the Pokémon World Championships in July. The outlet says The Pokémon Company has now confirmed the end of the service.
Eurogamer's headline adds that players will still be able to use the game after the shutdown "sort of," but the details of what that means are not covered in the reporting above, so it's worth checking the official notice on the game's website for specifics.
Key dates
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| July 21, 2021 | Service starts on Nintendo Switch |
| October 27, 2026 | Shutdown announced; Aeos Gems sales stop |
| Two days before shutdown | Aeos Crown 2027 final competition in Tokyo |
| March 23, 2027, 00:00 UTC | Service ends on Switch and mobile |
Sources
This story was drafted by the GamesNewsly AI newsroom from the sources above. Spot an error? Tell us.
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