The official Pokémon website has announced the Gym Challenge (ジムチャレンジ) for Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield. Our 8th Generation Online Competitions page has been updated with these details.

Register for the Pokémon Gym Challenge Online Competition

Take on Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield players with Pokémon used by Galar’s Gym Leaders.

Battle like some of the Galar region's finest Pokémon Trainers in the latest Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Online Competition: the Gym Challenge. During this event, your battle team can be comprised only of Pokémon used by Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Gym Leaders. No duplicate Pokémon or items are allowed during this competition, which is comprised of Single Battles. By taking part in this Gym Challenge, you'll earn a participation gift of 50 Battle Points. Can you follow in the footsteps of these tough Trainers? Sign up for the Gym Challenge and find out!

How to Register

The sign-up period for the Gym Challenge competition is from Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at 10:00 p.m. PDT until Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at 3:59 p.m. PST.

To register for the competition, follow these steps:

1. Launch your Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield game.
2. Open the X menu.
3. Select VS.
4. Select Battle Stadium.
5. Select Online Competitions.
6. Select Search Official Competitions.

The competition takes place from Thursday, November 11, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. PST until Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 3:59 p.m. PST.

Eligible Pokémon

Ninetales, Arcanine, Machamp, Ponyta (Galarian Form), Rapidash (Galarian Form), Gengar, Weezing (Galarian Form), Goldeen, Seaking, Lapras, Bellossom, Quagsire, Shuckle, Hitmontop, Tyranitar, Ludicolo, Shiftry, Pelipper, Gardevoir, Mawile, Torkoal, Flygon, Cherrim, Skuntank, Croagunk, Toxicroak, Togekiss, Dusknoir, Liepard, Gigalith, Darmanitan (Galarian Form), Scraggy, Scrafty, Yamask (Galarian Form), Gothita, Gothorita, Solosis, Duosion, Chandelure, Pangoro, Malamar, Barbaracle, Sylveon, Hawlucha, Goodra, Toxapex, Salazzle, Tsareena, Golisopod, Turtonator, Mimikyu, Gossifleur, Eldegoss, Drednaw, Coalossal, Flapple, Appletun, Sandaconda, Arrokuda, Barraskewda, Toxtricity (Low Key Form), Centiskorch, Grapploct, Polteageist, Hatenna, Hattrem, Hatterene, Grimmsnarl, Obstagoon, Cursola, Sirfetch'd, Mr. Rime, Runerigus, Alcremie, Falinks, Frosmoth, Stonjourner, Eiscue, Morpeko, and Duraludon are eligible.

Each Pokémon in your Battle Team must have the Galar symbol or battle-ready symbol. Review the Eligible Pokémon section of the competition rules from within your game for details.

Results and Gifts

To view your rankings after the competition has ended, follow these steps:

1. Launch your Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield game.
2. Open the X menu.
3. Select VS.
4. Select Battle Stadium.
5. Select Online Competitions.
6. Select Search Official Competitions.

To receive your participation gift after the competition, follow these steps:

1. Launch your Pokémon Sword or Pokémon Shield game.
2. Open the X menu.
3. Select Mystery Gift.
4. Select Get a Mystery Gift.
5. Select Get Battle Stadium Rewards.

Put together your ideal team, and take on your opponents like a boss. Good luck in the Gym Challenge!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/register-for-the-pokemon-gym-challenge-online-competition/