Pokemon TCG Sets Coming in 2026: Complete Release Calendar

Pokemon TCG ME06: Delta Reign

Releases 6 November 2026. Delta Reign is the next major Mega Evolution-era main set, and its Japanese counterpart, Storm Emeralda, is already out, so we know far more about this set than we did at announcement. The headline chase is Mega Rayquaza ex, which appears four times in the Japanese set and tops out as a Mega Ultra Rare. Its Special Art Rare is illustrated by Kazuki Minami, winner of the 2024 Pokemon TCG Illustration Contest, and is only the second card Minami has drawn for the Pokemon TCG. The English main-set printing is card 084/103, illustrated by takuyoa. Between the chase card and the Japanese sell-through, this has the kind of demand setup that could track close to Phantasmal Flames.

What Storm Emeralda reveals about the set:

• The Japanese set carries 37 secret rares: 12 Art Rares, 18 Super Rares, 6 Special Art Rares and the Mega Rayquaza ex Mega Ultra Rare
• Beyond the headline chase, supporting Megas include Mega Golurk ex, Mega Malamar ex and Mega Golisopod ex
• The Art Rare spread adds real pull depth: Kyogre and Groudon both get striking illustration treatments, alongside a Tomokazu Komiya Kecleon and a REND Masquerain. Most will be inexpensive singles rather than big-money chases, but they give every pack more worthwhile hits than a single-chase set
• Six Stadium cards pair into three Legendary Stadiums: Legendary Ocean Trench, Legendary Summit and Legendary Lava Lake. Both halves are played from hand together and count as one Stadium, and the artwork runs across the pair. A pack containing one half contains both. It is a deliberate callback to the LEGEND cards from HeartGold and SoulSilver
• Fan-favourite Pokemon, a strong Elite Trainer Box promo and quick Japanese sell-out times round out the early signals

Why Delta Reign has fourteen illustration rares, not twelve:

This is the part most set previews get wrong, so it is worth doing the arithmetic in full. The Pokemon Company says the English set contains fourteen illustration rare Pokemon. Storm Emeralda, the Japanese set it is built from, contains exactly twelve Art Rares: Masquerain, Growlithe, Magmortar, Kyogre, Electivire, Pincurchin, Enamorus, Groudon, Inkay, Azurill, Altaria and Kecleon. Twelve into fourteen does not work on its own.

Two things close the gap. Kyogre is pulled out of the English main set and reissued as the Elite Trainer Box promo, which takes the carried-over count down to eleven. Then three more arrive from somewhere else entirely: the three Japanese MEGA Starter Set ex decks that released on 31 July 2026 alongside Storm Emeralda. Each deck contains one exclusive Art Rare that cannot be pulled from a Japanese booster pack at all, and those three are Eevee, Zorua and Sprigatito. Eleven plus three is fourteen.

That is why you will see Eevee, Zorua and Sprigatito illustration rares discussed as Delta Reign cards even though they appear nowhere in the Storm Emeralda set list. In Japan they are deck-exclusive. In English they go into booster packs.

What is confirmed, and what is not:

• Confirmed English illustration rare numbers so far: Masquerain 104/103, Sprigatito 105/103, Growlithe 106/103, Pincurchin 109/103, Eevee 114/103 and Azurill 115/103
• The remaining eight numbers have not been published. Card numbers circulating for Magmortar, Electivire, Enamorus, Groudon, Zorua, Inkay, Altaria and Kecleon are inferred from Japanese ordering, not confirmed
• Set size is 103 cards in the main set. Card 105/103 and card 104/103 both confirm the denominator, so lists showing a /128 or /113 English set are using Japanese numbering or a placeholder
• Seven Pokemon ex are candidates for six English slots, so one will be cut. Which one has not been announced

Expected products:

• Booster Box (live for pre-order now), plus Booster Box Cases
• Elite Trainer Box (live for pre-order now), with a foil Kyogre promo
• Booster Bundle (live for pre-order now)
• Build & Battle Box, sold at prerelease events from 24 October
• Sleeved Boosters
• Three pack blisters and checklane blisters

Release and preorder timing:

• Australian release date: 6 November 2026
• Prerelease events run from 24 October to 1 November 2026 at participating Play! Pokemon stores, where the Build & Battle Box goes on sale first. Australian stores set their own event dates, so check with your local organiser
• The four prerelease promos are Masquerain, Magmortar, Enamorus and Kommo-o
• All three Drop Store pre-orders are live: Delta Reign Booster Box, Elite Trainer Box and Booster Bundle
• As at 5 October 2026, EB Games has Australian pre-orders open and Big W has a live Elite Trainer Box listing. Kmart, Target, Myer, David Jones, Mr Toys and Games World typically appear closer to release or on release day
• Pokemon Center opened its own pre-orders overseas on 30 September 2026 and sold out the same day, which is the clearest read yet on how tight launch supply will be

Mega Evolution: Pitch Black

Released 17 July 2026. The fifth English Mega Evolution set landed mid-2026 with a darker, dual-Mega lineup. Pitch Black is the English version of Japan's "Abyss Eye" expansion (set code M5) and headlines the Q3 2026 release slate.

What we know:

• Mega Darkrai ex headlines the set as the cover Mega Pokemon
• Mega Zeraora ex is the second headline Mega Evolution in the expansion
• Official Pokemon pages confirm over 115 cards, including Mega Chandelure ex and Mega Excadrill ex, with Zarude also featured
• Special Illustration Rares, Illustration Rares, Hyper Rares and Mega Hyper Rares confirmed
• The Elite Trainer Box features a Zarude promo card
• The Booster Box ships sealed with 36 booster packs

Release timeline:

• Prereleases: 4 to 12 July 2026 at participating local game stores
• Digital PTCGL release: 16 July 2026
• Physical release: 17 July 2026
• Pitch Black has now released in Australia
• See the Pitch Black range at Drop Store for current stock

Pitch Black continues the Mega Evolution era's run of strong product releases. Mega Darkrai has been a fan-favourite request for years, and pairing it with Mega Zeraora gives the set two genuinely sought-after chase Megas. Pitch Black has now released in Australia. You can browse the full Pitch Black range at Drop Store for current stock.

First Partner Illustration Collection: Series 3

Released 7 August 2026. The third wave of Pokemon's 30th anniversary First Partner Illustration Collection spotlights Hoenn, Kalos and Paldea starters. Series 1 covered Kanto, Sinnoh and Alola. Series 2 covered Johto, Unova and Galar. Series 3 completes the current run with another nine Illustration Rare-style promo cards to chase.

What's in each box:

• 1 promo booster pack with 3 of the 9 Illustration Rare-style cards: the three starters of one region, forming a single connected scene
• 2 Pokemon TCG booster packs
• 1 commemorative First Partner sticker sheet

Featured starter Pokemon:

• Hoenn: Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip
• Kalos: Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie
• Paldea: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly

Release timeline:

• Physical release: 7 August 2026
• Series 3 has released; in-stock orders ship from Melbourne within 2 to 5 business days

Like the earlier First Partner waves, this is a collector-focused 30th anniversary product rather than a competitive release. The pull is the regional starter promo set, especially Hoenn's Treecko, Torchic and Mudkip, Kalos favourites like Froakie, and the Paldea trio from Scarlet & Violet. You can check current Pokemon TCG products at Drop Store.

Pokemon TCG: 30th Celebration

Released 16 September 2026. The anniversary set keeps arriving in waves through to December. It celebrates 30 years of Pokemon with reimagined classic cards and a product range that runs from launch-day boxes to premium collections.

Australian wave dates:

The Binder Collection landed in Australia with the 16 September wave. Pokemon.com lists it for 4 December 2026, which is the United States date. We track every Australian date change in our 30th Celebration Australian wave dates page.

The full product list, card reveals and wave-by-wave detail live in our 30th Celebration guide, or you can browse every 30th Celebration preorder.

Mega Evolution: Chaos Rising

Released 22 May 2026. The fourth English Mega Evolution set brings shadow and ninja-themed mechanics to the Pokemon TCG. Based on Japan's "Ninja Spinner" set (released 13 March in Japan), Chaos Rising features stealth-focused gameplay and stunning artwork.

What we know:

• Mega Greninja ex is the headline card, a fan-favourite Pokemon finally getting the Mega Evolution treatment
• Shadow and ninja theme with stealth mechanics and strategic gameplay depth
• Around 86 main set cards plus secret rares
• 11 or more ultra-rare cards including Special Illustration Rares, Illustration Rares, Hyper Rares and Mega Hyper Rares
• Based on Japan's highly successful "Ninja Spinner" set

Release timeline:

• Prereleases: 9 to 17 May 2026 at local game stores
• Digital PTCGL release: 21 May 2026
• Physical release: 22 May 2026

Given the popularity of Greninja and the ninja theme, Chaos Rising is one of the year's most sought-after sets. Mega Greninja demand is strong. Check the Chaos Rising range at Drop Store for current sealed stock.

First Partner Illustration Collection: Series 2

Released 19 June 2026. The second wave of Pokemon's 30th anniversary First Partner Illustration Collection spotlights Johto, Unova and Galar starters. Series 1 covered Kanto, Sinnoh and Alola. Series 2 picks up the run with another nine Illustration Rare-style promo cards to chase.

What's in each box:

• 1 promo booster pack with 3 of the 9 Illustration Rare-style cards: the three starters of one region, forming a single connected scene
• 2 Pokemon TCG booster packs
• 1 commemorative First Partner sticker sheet

Featured starter Pokemon:

• Johto: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile
• Unova: Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott
• Galar: Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble

Like Series 1, this is a collector-focused product rather than a competitive one. The draw is the nine new Illustration Rare-style promos. Australian stock is limited and the first run sold through quickly. Series 2 sold through as well. Series 3 (Hoenn, Kalos and Paldea) released 7 August 2026, and you can check current stock at Drop Store.

Mega Evolution: Perfect Order

Released 27 March 2026. The second Mega Evolution expansion brings balance to the battlefield with over 120 cards featuring Pokemon tied to the Legends: Z-A video game. Perfect Order expands the Mega Evolution mechanic with new strategic options for both collectors and competitive players.

Confirmed cards and details:

• Mega Zygarde ex headlines the set as the flagship card
• Mega Starmie ex and Mega Clefable ex bring fan-favourite Pokemon into the Mega Evolution era
• Meowth ex featured alongside other classic Pokemon
• 120 or more cards in the set including secret rares
• Over 25 Trainer cards and more than 30 Pokemon with special illustrations
• Strong thematic connection to the Legends: Z-A storyline and Kalos region

Available products:

• Booster Box, Elite Trainer Box and Booster Bundle were all back in stock at Drop Store as at 5 October 2026
• Other sealed products including Booster Bundle, sleeved boosters, checklane blisters and Build & Battle products may vary by retailer

Release timeline:

• Prereleases ran before 27 March at participating local game stores
• Digital PTCGL release: 26 March 2026 (one day before physical launch)
• Physical release: 27 March 2026

For the best pulls ranked by price, see our Perfect Order chase cards guide.

First Partner Illustration Collection: Series 1

Released 20 March 2026. Part of Pokemon's 30th anniversary celebrations, the First Partner Illustration Collection brings back beloved starter Pokemon with stunning Illustration Rare-style artwork. The collector-focused product series spans throughout 2026, with Series 1 kicking things off in March.

What's included:

• 1 promo booster pack containing 3 of 9 possible Illustration Rare-style promo cards
• 2 regular Pokemon TCG booster packs
• 1 commemorative sticker sheet

Featured starter Pokemon:

• Kanto: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle
• Sinnoh: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup
• Alola: Rowlet, Litten, Popplio

This is a celebration and collector piece rather than a competitive product. Later First Partner series cover the remaining regions: Series 2 (Johto, Unova, Galar) released in June and Series 3 (Hoenn, Kalos, Paldea) released in August.

Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes

Released in waves from 13 February to 24 April 2026. The first major expansion of 2026 introduced the Mega Evolution mechanic to the modern Pokemon TCG era. Ascended Heroes features over 290 cards including Mega-evolved Pokemon from multiple generations. Unlike typical set launches, Ascended Heroes products released across four separate dates in Australia.

Key highlights:

• Mega Meganium ex, Mega Emboar ex and Mega Feraligatr ex headline the set
• New Mega Evolution ex mechanic adds strategic depth
• Stunning Special Art Rares of all three Mega starters
• Trainer Full Arts featuring Erika and Larry
• 7 Mega Attack Rare cards with katakana-style attack text
• N's Zekrom Illustration Rare-style promo exclusive to the ETB

Australian release schedule:

• 13 February 2026 (released): Tech Sticker Collection, 3 packs plus foil promo plus sticker sheet
• 20 February 2026 (released): Elite Trainer Box (9 packs plus N's Zekrom promo plus accessories), Mini Tins (2 packs plus art card plus sticker sheet), Erika and Larry Collection (2 packs plus foil promo plus metallic coin)
• 20 March 2026 (released): Premium Poster Collection, 10 packs plus Mega Attack Rare-style promo plus double-sided poster
• 24 April 2026 (released): Mega ex Boxes (4 packs plus foil promo plus oversize lenticular card) and Booster Bundle details (6 packs)

Ascended Heroes Booster Bundles are available at Drop Store and ship from Melbourne; there are no ETB accessories, just packs to rip. As at 5 October 2026 the Ascended Heroes range is still broadly available, though stock on the earlier products is thinning. Check the full Ascended Heroes range for what remains. For the top pulls, see our Ascended Heroes chase cards guide.

Pokemon Day 2026 Collection

Released 30 January 2026. Celebrating Pokemon's 30th anniversary on 27 February, this special collection includes a stamped foil Pikachu promo card, a metallic coin featuring the anniversary logo, and three booster packs from different Pokemon TCG expansions.

Mega Charizard X ex Ultra-Premium Collection

Released 14 November 2025. Originally released alongside Phantasmal Flames, this premium product features two exclusive foil promo cards, a metal Charizard coin and 18 booster packs. Limited stock remains at select retailers. The Mega Charizard X ex UPC is sold out at Drop Store as at 5 October 2026; join Drop Alerts if you want to hear about a restock.