Generation 8 Question about the Galar League

[Greninjaman]

How does it work? Can you just go sign up or do you HAVE to be endorsed by someone? I know in the games, our character gets endorsed by Leon. Does everyone need an endorsement to enter the league?

 

[MxRobinson]

When you first sign up in Motostoke the clerk asks to see your endorsement, so it seems like you do need one yeah

 

[Greninjaman]

I assume that it does not have to be Leon, Rose, or one of the Gym Leaders who endorses, it can be like a parent? It would make sense to me considering how many people do the Badge Quest each year.

 

[Unovia]

In my headcanon, it could be anyone who is a major figure, such as an official in the town that you live. Remember that these Regions do not actually work like the games would suggest, meaning that there are many towns around the big city of Motostoke, not just Postwick and Wedgehurst.

Consider that many enter, but not many stay on. Kabu openly states that the Gym Challenge ends for many with him. The Player and Hop are aberrations, not the norm. I would not be surprised if, for example, a parent writes a letter to the mayor, advising them that their child is intending to take on the challenge, so that when the child ends up in the mayor's office, the official knows why they are there...clears up a lot of bureaucracy.

That way, they have expected numbers vs actual success. The trainers on the Routes are all people who likely aspire to do great, got to a point, then realized the goal wasn't theirs to achieve. They still hold the endorsements, meaning they can continue to be trainers, they just gave up on the Badge Quest but do not want to go home and be considered a failure.

 

[RileyXY1]

Yes, you do need an endorsement to compete in the Gym Challenge. I believe that endorsements typically come from various companies, but trainers can also be endorsed by a Gym Leader (in the case of Marnie), the League Chairman (in the case of Bede), and the Champion (in the case of the player and Hop). The player, Hop, and Marnie are exceptions, as it's outright stated that many trainers just lose to Kabu and give up.