[quote=@NuttsnBolts]
but am I right that sword and shield doesn't have an elite four? 
[/quote]

Mild progression spoilers.



Yes and no? There's no Elite Four + Champion but in keeping with the theme of the region, getting all 8 badges doesn't mean you get to challenge the Champion, you have to qualify by winning a semifinal tournament wherein you face your rivals one last time and then an actual finals tournament against three gym leaders who now are fighting with their actual teams and not just their weak gym challenge teams. THEN you face the Champion. 

So while there is no Elite Four, after you get all 8 badges you have to face six trainers/Gym Leaders that may as well be an Elite Four before facing the Champion. Basically, Sword and Shield is the tournament arc of Pokemon.

It even has an appropriately 'epic final trainer battle' theme 

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGF0L2GC0k0[/youtube]