It feels like every player and their Poochyenas are chasing down the hottest Pokémon cards recently. The hobby is reaching early-noughties playground levels of hype. But what’s next for this global phenomenon? Well, look no further!
We’ve got every 2026 Pokémon TCG release for you in one handy place. Here’s everything we know so far about Pokémon TCG releases for 2026, including when they launch, what’s confirmed, what’s predicted, what makes them special, and where you can actually buy them right now.
Pokémon TCG: 2026 Release Calendar – At a Glance
While the full year’s roadmap hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, we can predict what we can expect by looking at Japan’s release schedules and previous trends for collections in the world of Pokémon TCG.
But, for now, this is the fully confirmed release schedule for the rest of the year, excluding whatever surprises The Pokémon Company might have in store for us.
Bonus: Pokémon TCG Deals
Before we move on, let's quickly check out the latest Pokémon TCG deals that are floating around online right now. The best, and most popular, pick right now the sealed Prismatic Evolution Elite Trainer Boxes back in stock, and listed at under market rate at Amazon ($174.88).
Pitch Black - July. 17
Known as Abyss Eye in Japan, Pitch Black is the debut set for Mega Darkrai ex, releasing on July 17, 2026. This malice-filled set looks like the dark, brooding sibling to the bright Ascended Heroes cards we’ve been chasing all spring. But coming in at approximately 115 cards, it’ll be a lot more manageable expansion compared to the Coalossal 295-card checklist of Ascended Heroes. Here’s what you can expect:
- Over 115 cards
- More new Mega Evolution Pokémon ex
- More than 20 Trainer cards
- More than 35 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations
We currently know 4 of the 6 Mega Evolution Pokémon - Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex. Could we be about to get a viable Lightning-type attacker? Only time will tell. We don’t have any official confirmation on price, but the official MSRP for the standard Mega Evolution: Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box (ETB) is $49.99 (£49.99), so it’s likely we’d be looking at something similar for a Pitch Black ETB.
First Partner Illustration Collection (Series 3) - Aug. 7
We’ve had Series 1 of the First Partner Illustration Collection release at the start of 2026, and Series 2 is confirmed for June 19, 2026. You might be asking yourself, "What about a Series 3?" Well, great news!
First Partner Illustration Collection (Series 3) has officially been announced, focusing on the Starter Pokemon from Hoenn, Kalos, and Paldea. It will release on August 7th for $14.99. Could a secret Series 4 episode feature the Generation 10 starters afterwards? Only time will tell.
30th Celebration - Sept. 16
Pokémon TCG’s 30th Celebration expansion is set to launch worldwide on September 16, 2026.
For the first time, all regions will get the release at the same time, which should help stop the overpriced import market.
Each six-card booster pack is all foil, even the Basic Energy, and comes with one of 30 special Pikachu cards created by different artists. The set also adds a new premium tier called "Futuristic Rare," starting with Mew and Mewtwo cards drawn by Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN.
Best of all - there’s special 30th-anniversary reprints of classic cards like Base Set Charizard and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX Tag Team confirmed, each with a special stamp.
These cards aren’t allowed in Standard play, but collectors can find them along with new Illustration Rares featuring Umbreon, Espeon, and new Pokémon ex like Greninja and Sylveon.
Every Legendary Pokémon will be up for grabs too.
Delta Reign - Nov. 6
Mega Rayquayza makes a triumphant return to Pokémon TCG, last spotted in Evolving Skies – one of the most iconic Pokémon TCG sets from the last decade. Delta Reign, otherwise known as Storm Emeralda in Japan, has been officially revealed for November 6, 2026, releasing in Japan on July 29, 2026. We got a sneak peak at the Mega Rayquaza ex card, check it out below!
We're waiting for more official details, but one interesting thing about this release is that it was the first time a 'matching' Pokémon TCG Pocket set was announced alongside it, launching around the same time of Japan's physical TCG release. No info on price and pre-orders yet, so bookmark this page and keep checking back for more!
Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection - July. 3
Moving on from May 22! Mega Greninja isn’t just getting its flowers in Chaos Rising - it’s also getting its own premium collection on 3rd July, 2026.
If you want to complete your Mega Greninja collection, this is a must-have. Its Mortal Shuriken Ability lets you discard a Basic Water Energy from your hand to place six damage counters on one of your opponent’s Pokémon, then deal up to 200 damage with a devastating Ninja Spinner attack.
Say it with me now. The Pokémon TCG: Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection includes:
- 1 foil promo card featuring Mega Greninja ex
- 1 oversize lenticular promo card featuring Mega Greninja ex
- 1 tech sticker featuring Mega Greninja
- 8 Pokémon TCG booster packs
MSRP is $39.99 USD / £39.99 GBP. Considering Greninja’s popularity, we can expect this one to sell out quickly.
First Partner Illustration Collection (Series 2) - Jun. 19
Series 1 of First Partner Illustration Collection celebrated Pokémon’s 30th anniversary in style, offering illustration rare-style promo cards featuring starters from Kanto, Sinnoh, and Alola. These cards highlight nostalgic adventures with popular First Partners.
Now, we’ve got Series 2 to look forward to! This collection releases on June 19, 2026, featuring three of nine illustration rare-style promo cards of beloved starters from Johto, Unova, or Galar.
Inside, you can find:
- 1 Pokémon TCG pack containing 3 of 9 promo cards
- 2 Pokémon TCG booster packs
- 1 sticker sheet
Note: You can’t buy a set for a single region. The cards are random, so watch out!
Series 1 of the First Partner Illustration Collection flew off the shelves thanks to the Kanto hype. Only time will tell if Series 2 will have the same impact. But for $14.99 USD / £14.99 GBP, you can’t really go wrong.
Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection - May. 22
Greninja isn’t the only Pokémon getting its turn in the spotlight. Zygarde was the face of Perfect Order, and is now getting its own premium collection! The Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection also dropped on May 22, 2026 - a busy day for Pokémon fans!
The Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection spotlights Zygarde's multiple Formes and legendary status.
The Pokémon TCG: Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection includes:
- 1 foil promo card featuring Mega Zygarde ex
- 1 oversize lenticular promo card featuring Mega Zygarde ex
- 1 tech sticker featuring Mega Zygarde ex
- 8 Pokémon TCG booster packs
Zygarde can become a Mega Evolution Pokémon ex, capable of dealing devastating damage to your opponents. Plus, the 8 booster packs, likely to be from Perfect Order, make this a decent deal. MSRP is £39.99 at all local card shops and participating retailers.
Mega Lucario ex League Battle Deck - May. 22
The Mega Lucario ex League Battle Deck is ideal for experienced Trainers. Released on May 22, 2026, it features Mega Lucario ex and competitive cards like Secret Box and Fezandipiti ex, supporting advanced strategies.
The Pokémon TCG: Mega Lucario ex League Battle Deck includes:
- 1 ready-to-play 60-card deck
- 6 damage-counter dice
- 1 coin-flip die
- 2 coin condition markers
- 1 deck box
- 1 strategy sheet
- 1 code card to play this deck on Pokémon TCG Live
Mega Evolution: Chaos Rising - May. 22
Chaos Rising released on May 22, 2026, with Mega Greninja ex as the star of the show! This Kalos First Partner Pokémon is one of the most popular Pokémon of all time, with its all-new Mega form being introduced in Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
But Mega Greninja ex is just one of the new Mega Evolution Pokémon ex that can be found in this expansion. You’ve got awesome cards like Mega Pyroar ex and Mega Dragalge ex to hunt down, alongside Mega Floette. MSRP for the Standard Elite Trainer Box (ETB) is $119.99 USD / £49.99 GBP, but you can check out the best Chaos Rising deals available just above.
Mega Evolution: Perfect Order – Mar. 27
If Ascended Heroes has set setting the foundation of what the Mega Evolution's expansions are going to look like, Perfect Order is certianly kicking things up a notch.
Arriving on March 27, 2026, the next expansion is going to be honing in on many of the Pokémon featured in the Legends: Z-A game.
Among the cards announced from the 120-card set so far, we know we’re going to be seeing many of the game’s starring Mega Pokémon; Mega Zygarde ex, Mega Starmie ex, and Mega Clefable ex; but also some surprising extra additions like Meowth ex.
If you're looking to secure the goods, your best bet is either TCGplayer or Amazon right now. Prices are rapidly dropping for ETBs at TCGplayer, while preorders for Booster Bundles are now live at Amazon, and they're listed for way under market price right now.
While the Booster Bundle deal I mentioned eariler is not quite as good a value as picking up the Booster Box at TCGplayer right now, including 36 packs for $228.80 market price (working out at $6.35 per pack), it's still a great deal for anyone who hasn't got a spare $200 to throw around, but still wants to get involved with the new set.
Funnily enough, while ETBs continue to drop in price, the booster box is actually on the rise, jumping from around $200 just last week to almost $230 now.
First Partner Illustration Collection (Series 1) – Mar. 20
The journey to Pokémon’s 30th Anniversary has officially begun with these gorgeous illustration rare-style promo cards that commemorate the bonds between a Trainer and their loyal first partner.
Whether you’re a Kanto veteran or new to the world of Pokémon, this new collection encourages you to look back on your favourite adventures from the last 30 years.
The International version is designed as a celebration of the bonds between Trainers and their First Partner. Each collection includes 1 Promo Booster Pack, where you can pull three of nine illustration rare-style promo cards.
Each of these cards feature stunning illustrations of beloved first partner Pokémon. You’ve got your classic Kanto friends - Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander. Then, we jump forward a few generations to Sinnoh, with Turtwig, Pipulp and Chimchar. Last, but certainly not least, we find ourselves in Alola with Rowlet, Popplio and Litten.
Pokémon Day Collection – Jan. 30
Pokémon’s 30th anniversary celebrations were on February 27, but you’ll be able to celebrate all year long with the the commemorative Pokémon Day 2026 Collection that dropped on January 30, alongside Ascended Heroes.
Announced back in December 2025, this is a very small release with one confirmed card: a unique stamped foil promo card of Pikachu looking cute as standard, along with a logo’d metallic coin, and a trio of TCG booster packs from different sets.
Available imagery seems to show the packs being a mixture of one Phantasmal Flames and two Mega Evolution, but we like to warn that the contents may always differ from unit to unit.
The Pokémon Day 2026 Collection can be bought now at Amazon for around $39, or from around $25-30 on TCGplayer at current market rates.
Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes – Jan. 30
The 2026 TCG year officially kicked off with Ascended Heroes, the second English Mega Evolution expansion of the new era since the base set launched in September last year.
Ascended Heroes leans heavily into classic Mega Pokémon, new Tera cards, Team Rocket Pokémon, and even a Stadium card, with 290 cards coming to the set altogether.
The new set is already getting a fairly staggered release, with the majority of products now releasing between February 20 and April 24. That includes some of the most popular items from a new Pokémon card set, such as the Elite Trainer Box, Booster Bundles, and more.
The recently delayed booster set features a promo card with either Erika’s Tangela or Larry’s Komala, a metallic coin featuring the chosen Gym Leader, and two booster packs from the Mega Evolution - Ascended Heroes expansion.
Mega Evolution’s Ascended Heroes expansion has also quickly become yet another collector-driven Pokémon TCG release, with demand greatly outweighing the supply and maxing out the value of certain cards.
It's already been hard to come by Ascended Heroes preorders, and undoubtedly this delay won't make it any easier for fans after release day. Ascended Heroes ETBs, for example, are currently averaging around $115-120 on resale markets - around a 135% markup from its MSRP of $49.99.
With Mega Evolutions returning in force and Special Illustration Rares pushing presentation to extravagant new heights, the set has created another sharp divide between playable staples and true luxury chase cards as well.
While not every premium pull is destined for competitive dominance, each of the top ten most expensive cards so far has earned a lofty market price with jaw-dropping artwork, gameplay relevance, pure scarcity, or a combination of the three.
Sara Heritage is a freelance journalist for IGN, specialising in Pokémon TCG. When she's not gaming, you’ll probably find her building yet another LEGO set she absolutely did not need, or chaining ranked matches in Pokémon Champions.
via Pokémon TCG: Full Release Schedule for 2026 and Beyond
by Sara Heritage
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