The Pokemon Company has officially confirmed the Japanese release date for the Pokemon Trading Card Game‘s upcoming 30th-anniversary expansion. The Pokemon TCG set is expected to launch with a simultaneous worldwide release.
The beloved trading card game branch of the monster-catching franchise has already welcomed some big new releases to kick off the anniversary. The Pokemon TCG debuted its first expansion of 2026 in January with the launch of Ascended Heroes, releasing as the largest set in the history of the card game. The Pokemon Company followed up Ascended Heroes with its second set of the year in late March, welcoming the launch of Perfect Order as a smaller set more heavily focused on competitive play. Now, one of the most exciting parts of the Pokemon TCG‘s anniversary has seen its release date officially revealed.
Pokemon TCG Confirms 30th Celebration Set Release Date
- Releasing September 16 in Japan
- Worldwide release date not officially confirmed, expected to be a simultaneous release
The Pokemon Company confirmed the release date for its upcoming 30th Celebration anniversary expansion on April 2. 30th Celebration is scheduled to officially launch in Japan on September 16, with some significant changes from typical Japanese-language packs. 30th Celebration will include six cards per booster pack for the Japanese version, as opposed to the typical five, with every card in the pack printed as holofoil. The Pokemon TCG set will also feature a brand-new rarity exclusive to the anniversary expansion, teasing new cards of Pikachu, Mew, and Mewtwo in the new rarity. The Japanese release is expected to be followed shortly after by the set’s worldwide debut, previously confirmed as a simultaneous launch.
30th Celebration is not the only new product being teased for the Pokemon TCG‘s anniversary festivities in September. Official listings from The Pokemon Company are teasing a Premium Deck Set: Espeon & Umbreon releasing on the same day, featuring pre-built decks focused on the Eeveelutions. The company has not revealed any official details about the pair of new decks, though the spotlight cards are expected to be in the new rarity teased for 30th Celebration.
The Pokemon TCG‘s anniversary celebration is set to bring back several iconic cards from throughout the game’s history. 30th Celebration will follow 2021’s Celebrations expansion in reprinting older cards, which included the Classics Collection as a special subset with reprints of some of the franchise’s most recognizable cards. The 2026 Pokemon Day presentation confirmed multiple popular cards that will appear as part of the subset, including Pikachu and Zekrom GX from Team Up, Solgaleo GX from Sun and Moon Base Set, and Lugia from Aquapolis.
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Pokemon TCG fans should have plenty to look forward to from the trading card game’s anniversary. Alongside 30th Celebration, The Pokemon Company has already confirmed the next major expansion coming to the TCG after Perfect Order, with Chaos Rising introducing a new Mega Greninja ex card. Pokemon TCG Live has also given out plenty of free rewards to commemorate the anniversary, gifting free packs, decks, and more to fans. The Pokemon TCG kicked off its 30th anniversary with a bang and looks to keep the party rolling throughout 2026.
Source: PokeBeach
