The Pokémon Company has officially announced the launch of the major expansion celebrating 30 years of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG). Named the 30th Anniversary expansion, this release will mark an unprecedented logistical milestone with a simultaneous worldwide release scheduled for September 16, 2026. It will be the first time that players and collectors in every region of the world get access to new cards on the same day.
Technical features and what’s new in the expansion
The release stands out for several production choices and the introduction of new visual mechanics:
- “All Shiny” setup: Every card in this expansion’s booster packs will get a holofoil (shiny) treatment, including basic Energy cards.
- New “futuristic rare” rarity: This format introduces a new art style to the game. The first cards in this category will feature Mew and Mewtwo, with illustrations entrusted to the Japanese graphic artist YOSHIROTTEN.
- The 30 Pikachu series: The set will include a selection of 30 distinct Pikachu cards, each with an exclusive illustration. The first three versions revealed were created by the illustrators OKACHEKE, Yuu Nishida and Atsuko Nishida.
Set contents: historic reprints and contemporary cards
The expansion caters to different kinds of fans through a selection of Pokémon from several generations:
| Card category | Confirmed Pokémon | Expansion highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Illustration Rare | Espeon, Umbreon, Lapras, Drifloon, Zorua, Lycanroc | A focus on carefully crafted artwork. |
| Pokémon ex | Greninja, Sylveon | Cards designed to fit the current game mechanics. |
| Classics / Reprints | Charizard (Base Set), Pikachu and Zekrom-GX (Sun & Moon) | Updated versions of historic cards. |
Rules note on the classic cards: Reprints of historic cards (such as the Base Set Charizard or Pikachu and Zekrom-GX) will not be legal in the modern Standard format. They will remain usable only in tournament formats that already accept the original editions of these cards.
The official trailer for the expansion is now available online, offering a first visual look at the cards ahead of the global in-store release on September 16.
