The Pokemon Company has officially confirmed the Japanese release date for Pokemon Trading Card Games upcoming 30th anniversary expansion. The Pokemon TCG set is expected to launch with a simultaneous worldwide release.
The beloved 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 2026 in January with the release of Ascended Heroes, which was released 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 at the end of March, welcoming the launch of Perfect Order as a smaller set more focused on competitive play. Now, one of the most exciting parts of the Pokemon TCGs anniversary has seen its release date officially revealed.
Pokemon TCG Confirms 30th Celebration Set Release Date
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Released September 16 in Japan
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Worldwide release date not officially confirmed, expected to be a simultaneous release
The Pokemon Company confirmed the release date for its upcoming 30th Celebration expansion on April 2nd. 30th Celebration is scheduled to officially launch in Japan on September 16th, with some significant changes from typical Japanese-language packages. 30th Celebration will contain six cards per booster pack for the Japanese version, as opposed to the typical five, with each card in the pack printed as holofoil. The Pokemon TCG The set will also include 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.
The 30th Celebration isn't the only new product being teased Pokemon TCGs anniversary celebrations in September. Official listings from The Pokemon Company tease a Premium Deck Set: Espeon & Umbreon releasing on the same day, featuring pre-built decks focused on Eeveelutions. The company hasn't revealed any official details about the pair of new decks, though the spotlight cards are expected to be in the new rarity teased for the 30th celebration.
The Pokemon TCGThe anniversary celebration will bring back several iconic cards from throughout the game's history. The 30th Celebration will follow the 2021 Celebrations expansion in terms of older card reprints, which included the Classics Collection as a special subset featuring reprints of some of the franchise's most recognizable cards. The Pokemon Day 2026 presentation confirmed several popular cards that will appear as part of the subset, including Pikachu and Zekrom GX from Team Up, Solgaleo GX from the Sun and Moon Base Set, and Lugia from Aquapolis.
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Pokemon TCG fans should have a lot to look forward to from the trading card game's anniversary. Alongside the 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 tons of freebies to celebrate 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 going throughout 2026.
Source: PokeBeach
