The Pokemon Company has just pulled back the curtain on one of the most anticipated trading card game releases in years, and fans of the franchise are losing their minds over it.
Announced on June 1, 2026, the highly anticipated Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration is set to drop throughout the globe on September 16, 2026, making it the first Pokemon TCG expansion ever to receive a coordinated global launch.
Every single card in this TCG, including Basic Energy, will come with a foil treatment. That alone makes this release feel distinct from anything the franchise has done before.
The set also debuts a brand-new card rarity. Named “Futuristic Rare,” this tier features new Mewtwo and Mew artwork by the acclaimed Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN, with each card depicting Pokemon through a bold visual style.
Iconic cards like the Base Set Charizard and the Pikachu & Zekrom GX Tag Team are also returning as stamped reprints bearing the 30th Celebration logo. Additionally, every booster pack is guaranteed to include one of 30 unique holographic Pikachu cards, each illustrated by a different artist.
Each pack will contain five foil cards, one foil Basic Energy, and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. Notably, the classic reprints won’t be legal in the Standard format.
With demand expected to be sky-high, pre-orders are likely to open well before the September launch. For collectors and players alike, this is shaping up to be the TCG event of the decade.
With demand expected to be sky-high, pre-orders are likely to open well before the September launch. When the time comes, you can snag yours through a local retailer, your nearest Pokemon Center, or directly via the Pokemon Center website.