Pokémon TCG reveals new starter promos for the First Partner Collection

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) has officially unveiled nine new promos that players can find in the Series 2 release of the popular First Partner Collection. These impressive cards feature the starter Pokémon from the Johto, Unova, and Galar regions as part of the franchise’s 30th anniversary celebrations.

New promos

In the new set, the cards are designed to include references to iconic locations and moments from their respective games. Examples include Shiny Gyarados at Lake of Rage on the Totodile card and the Ferris wheel in Nimbasa City on the Oshawott promo. Each First Partner Collection box will contain one of the three region-specific sets.

Major expansions

So far in 2026, two major expansions have been released: Ascended Heroes and Perfect Order. A third set called Chaos Rising is in development and is expected to arrive later this year. These expansions have further enriched the Pokémon TCG’s variety and play experience.

Special anniversary products

Alongside the new promos, several special products have launched to mark Pokémon’s 30th anniversary. This includes the 2026 Pokémon Day box, which features a special Pikachu promo, as well as the first wave of the First Partner Collection with starters from Kanto, Sinnoh, and Alola.

Future releases

The second wave of starter promos is expected to be popular with collectors, especially since the original series was a sought-after item. In the first wave of the First Partner Collection, which featured the Kanto starters, cards of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle were listed for more than $20 on the secondary market.

In addition, the third version of the First Partner Collection is expected soon, focusing on the starters from the Hoenn, Kalos, and Paldea regions. These cards are also expected to include references to recognizable locations within their regions, such as Mudkip and Fennekin.

As part of the 30th anniversary festivities, The Pokémon Company has also announced the tenth generation of the mainline games, known as Pokémon Winds and Waves. This is just one of many new merchandise releases tied to the anniversary, including a Target-exclusive Pokémon collection featuring clothing, keyboards, headphones, and more.

Pokémon fans have plenty to look forward to for the rest of the anniversary year, as new products and TCG additions continue to fuel the franchise’s growing popularity.