Pokemon TCG confirms release date for 30th anniversary set
The Pokemon Company confirms the release date of the 30th anniversary set of the Pokemon TCG on September 16 in Japan.
Pokemon TCG confirms release date for 30th anniversary set
The Pokemon Company has officially confirmed the Japanese release date for the upcoming expansion celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG). This expansion, titled 30th Celebration, is expected to launch worldwide simultaneously.
Key updates and expansions
The popular card game division of the monster-catching franchise has already seen several major releases as a warm-up for the anniversary celebrations. The first expansion of 2026, Ascended Heroes, was launched in January and is the largest set in the history of the Pokemon TCG. This was followed by the launch of the second set of the year, Perfect Order, at the end of March. This set focuses more on competitive play and is smaller in size.
Timeline
2026-01: Launch of the Ascended Heroes expansion, the largest set in the history of the Pokemon TCG.
2026-03: Launch of the Perfect Order expansion, focusing on competitive play.
2026-04-05: The Pokemon Company confirms the release date of the 30th anniversary set, 30th Celebration, on September 16 in Japan.
Details of the 30th Celebration
The 30th Celebration expansion will feature some significant changes compared to the usual Japanese packs. Each booster pack in the Japanese version will contain six cards instead of the usual five, and each card will be printed as a holofoil. Additionally, a completely new rarity will be introduced, showcasing cards featuring Pikachu, Mew, and Mewtwo in this new rarity.
Premium Deck Set: Espeon & Umbreon
Alongside the 30th Celebration expansion, the Pokemon Company will also release a Premium Deck Set: Espeon & Umbreon on the same day. This will include pre-built decks focused on the Eeveelutions. No official details have been released about these new decks yet, but it is expected that the standout cards will also feature in the new rarity tailored for the 30th Celebration.
Reprints and nostalgia
The celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Pokemon TCG will also bring back some iconic cards from the game's history. It will follow the 2021 line, which released an expansion called Celebrations, featuring older cards reprinted in a special subset known as the Classics Collection. This year, several popular cards have been confirmed, including Pikachu and Zekrom GX from Team Up, Solgaleo GX from the Sun and Moon Base Set, and Lugia from Aquapolis.
Future expansions
Pokemon TCG fans can expect a lot from the 30th anniversary celebration. In addition to the 30th Celebration, the Pokemon Company has also confirmed the next major expansion that will follow Perfect Order, titled Chaos Rising, which will introduce a new Mega Greninja ex card.
To celebrate the occasion, Pokemon TCG Live is also offering numerous free rewards, including free packs, decks, and more for fans. The Pokemon TCG has enthusiastically kicked off its 30th anniversary and seems eager to continue the festivities throughout 2026.
