Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration Release Date, Set Details & Everything Confirmed

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026 with a special expansion called Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration.

The expansion officially launches worldwide on September 16, 2026, marking an important first for the Pokémon TCG: Pokémon has confirmed that 30th Celebration will be the first expansion released simultaneously worldwide. Collectors across different regions will therefore be able to discover the anniversary set at the same time.

A Special All-Foil Booster Format

30th Celebration boosters are very different from traditional Pokémon TCG booster packs.

Every booster contains five foil Pokémon TCG cards and one foil Basic Energy card, meaning every card inside the pack receives a foil treatment. Even more importantly, every booster guarantees one Pikachu card from a collection of 30 unique Pikachu designs.

These 30 Pikachu cards are not simply different versions of the same artwork. Pokémon has confirmed that each features a different illustration, artist and attacks, creating a dedicated mini-collection within the anniversary expansion.

Classic Cards Return

The anniversary set is also designed to celebrate Pokémon TCG history.

The Classic Collection brings back famous cards from previous eras, including cards such as the original Base Set Charizard and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX from Sun & Moon—Team Up. These anniversary reprints are intended primarily as collectible cards and are not automatically legal in the Standard format.

For long-time collectors, this creates a direct connection between the earliest years of the Pokémon TCG and the modern game.

The Debut of Futuristic Rare Cards

30th Celebration is not focused entirely on nostalgia.

The expansion also introduces a brand-new rarity called Futuristic Rare. The first revealed Futuristic Rare cards feature Mew and Mewtwo, with artwork created by renowned Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN.

The combination of futuristic artwork and classic reprints perfectly represents the concept behind the anniversary: celebrating Pokémon TCG’s past while looking toward its future.

Fan-Favourite Pokémon Return

Several popular Pokémon have already been officially confirmed for the set, including Espeon, Umbreon, Lapras, Drifloon, Zorua, Lycanroc, Greninja ex and Sylveon ex. More recent previews have also confirmed anniversary cards featuring the Legendary Pokémon Lugia and Ho-Oh.

With an all-foil format, 30 collectible Pikachu cards, classic reprints, new rarities and a huge anniversary product lineup, Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration is shaping up to be one of the defining Pokémon releases of 2026.

The celebration begins September 16, 2026.