In the Ladder mode, you are entered into a division-based league system which features promotion and relegation, with a season lasting one real-time week. Rewards for finishing highly increase as you rise up the divisions, mostly comprised of trainer tokens.
For each week-long season, you can play away games against each of eleven opponents in a 12-team league. Matches are optional, but your ladder position depends on your premiership points (4 for a win, 2 for a draw) with tiebreakers based on points scored (not percentage) so playing more games is advantageous to earn better loot even if you might lose. Away games that your opponents play against you count on your record.
Fatigue and injuries are not carried over from match to match in this mode.