Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration: Release Date, Products & Chase Cards
Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration is the Pokémon Trading Card Game's 30th anniversary set, and it is out now: it launched worldwide on 16 September 2026. It was the first Pokémon TCG expansion with a simultaneous, coordinated global launch, every card in it is foil, and every booster pack contains one of 30 different Pikachu cards. Here is what is in a pack, every product, the chase cards and how to protect your pulls.
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration at a glance
- Set: Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration
- Release date: 16 September 2026, worldwide (out now). More products follow later in 2026.
- Booster pack: five foil cards, one foil Basic Energy and a Pokémon TCG Live code card
- In every pack: one of 30 Pikachu rare cards, each with a unique illustration
- New rarity: Futuristic rare, debuting with Mewtwo ex and Mew ex by artist YOSHIROTTEN
- New Pokémon ex: Greninja ex and Sylveon ex
- Classic reprints: 30 classic cards return with a foil treatment, including Base Set Charizard
- Launch products: Elite Trainer Box, Poster Collection, Tech Sticker Collection, Pokémon ex Box, Tin and Two-Pack Blister
- Open Pokémon packs today: Pitch Black boxes and packs are in stock and ship tracked from Dublin
What is the Pokémon 30th anniversary set?
30th Celebration is The Pokémon Company's anniversary expansion, mixing brand-new cards, a new rarity and foil reprints of classic cards. Everything is foil, right down to the Basic Energy, designed by YOSHIROTTEN.
It was the first Pokémon TCG expansion with a simultaneously coordinated global launch, so the English release reached participating shops in Ireland and across Europe on 16 September 2026, the same day as everywhere else. The digital version arrived in Pokémon TCG Live a day earlier, on 15 September at 6 p.m. Irish time. For tournaments, the set has been legal for Play! Pokémon events since 25 September 2026.
The 30 Pikachu rares: one in every pack
The headline feature of the 30th anniversary set is Pikachu. Each booster pack is guaranteed to contain one of 30 different Pikachu rare cards, and every one has its own illustration by a different artist. Three of the first to be revealed were drawn by OKACHEKE, Yuu Nishida and Atsuko Nishida. With one per pack, every pack moves you closer to all 30.
Futuristic rares: Mewtwo ex and Mew ex
30th Celebration introduces a brand-new rarity, the Futuristic rare. The first two feature Mewtwo ex and Mew ex, illustrated by Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN, with a look The Pokémon Company describes as evoking hope towards an unknown future.
Illustration rares, day and night, and new Pokémon ex
Fan-favourite Pokémon appear as illustration rares, including Espeon, Umbreon, Lapras, Drifloon, Zorua and Lycanroc. Espeon and Umbreon are paired as a day and night set, part of a theme that shows Pokémon in daytime and night-time scenes across the expansion.
For players, the two new Pokémon ex are Greninja ex and Sylveon ex. Both also appear as promos in the products below.
Classic cards return, including Base Set Charizard
30 classic Pokémon cards come back with a foil treatment, spanning the game's history. They include the original Charizard from Base Set (1999), Erika's Jigglypuff from Gym Challenge, Scizor ex from EX Unseen Forces, N from Noble Victories (the first full-art Supporter), Greninja BREAK from BREAKpoint, Pikachu & Zekrom-GX from Team Up and Magikarp from Paldea Evolved.
One rule to know if you play: the classic cards are not legal in the Standard format. You can use them in formats that allow their original prints.
Every 30th Celebration product, and what is inside
These products launched on 16 September 2026. Launch timing could vary slightly by country.
Booster packs
Five foil cards, one foil Basic Energy and a Pokémon TCG Live code card, with one of the 30 Pikachu rares in every pack.
Elite Trainer Box (ETB)
Nine 30th Celebration booster packs, an illustration rare-style promo card featuring Nidorina, and gameplay accessories.
Pokémon ex Box
Four booster packs, a promo card featuring Sylveon ex or Greninja ex, and a matching oversize card.
Tin
Four booster packs and a promo card featuring Sylveon ex or Greninja ex.
Poster Collection
Three booster packs, three promo cards featuring Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres, and a full-size, two-sided poster of cards from the set.
Tech Sticker Collection
Three booster packs, a foil promo card featuring Alolan Exeggutor or Lucario, and a matching sticker sheet for laptops, tablets and other devices.
Two-Pack Blister
Two booster packs, a foil Eevee promo card and a commemorative coin.
Is there a 30th anniversary booster box?
The launch line-up did not include a 36-pack booster display box. The Pokémon Company has said more 30th Celebration products will arrive later in 2026, and its official materials show a Booster Bundle, a Binder Collection, a Ditto Premium Collection, an Ultra-Premium Collection, a Figure Collection and Battle Decks. Check pokemon.com for their contents and dates.
Which 30th Celebration product should you pick?
- You want the most packs: the Elite Trainer Box, with nine.
- You want Greninja ex or Sylveon ex: the Pokémon ex Box (with an oversize card) or the Tin.
- You love the original Legendary birds: the Poster Collection, with Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres promos.
- You want a small gift or a taste: the Two-Pack Blister.
Protect your 30th Celebration pulls
Every card in this set is foil, and foil shows scratches and edge wear quickly, so sleeve your best pulls straight away.
- Penny sleeves first: Ultra Pro penny sleeves (pack of 100) fit standard Pokémon cards.
- Then a toploader for the hits: Ultra Pro 3 x 4 inch toploaders keep sleeved chase cards flat and rigid.
- Keeping a 30th anniversary ETB on the shelf? Our acrylic display case for Pokémon Elite Trainer Boxes keeps it dust-free and crush-free.
- Displaying an unopened booster box? The acrylic case for English Pokémon booster boxes protects the corners.
For the full method, read our guide on how to protect and store trading cards.
Pokémon cards in Ireland: open Pitch Black now
Looking for Pokémon packs to open in Ireland today? The latest Mega Evolution expansion we carry, Pitch Black, is in stock, with Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex and Mega Excadrill ex. Pick up a Pitch Black Booster Box or single Pitch Black booster packs, shipped tracked from Dublin across the Republic of Ireland. Members earn Gems on every order: join free and they add up to money off.
Next up in the series is Delta Reign, led by Mega Rayquaza ex: see our Pokémon Delta Reign guide. And if you are weighing up language editions, read Japanese vs English Pokémon cards.
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration FAQ
When did Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration come out?
Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration launched worldwide on 16 September 2026, the first Pokémon TCG expansion with a simultaneous global launch. It arrived in Pokémon TCG Live on 15 September 2026, and more products follow later in 2026.
What is in a 30th Celebration booster pack?
Five foil cards, one foil Basic Energy and a Pokémon TCG Live code card. Every pack includes one of 30 Pikachu rare cards, each with a unique illustration.
What is in the Pokémon 30th anniversary Elite Trainer Box?
Nine 30th Celebration booster packs, an illustration rare-style Nidorina promo card and gameplay accessories.
Is there a Pokémon 30th anniversary booster box?
The 16 September launch line-up did not include a booster display box. The launch products were the Elite Trainer Box, Pokémon ex Box, Tin, Poster Collection, Tech Sticker Collection and Two-Pack Blister. Further products, including a Booster Bundle, are due later in 2026.
What are the chase cards in 30th Celebration?
The new Futuristic rares, Mewtwo ex and Mew ex by YOSHIROTTEN, plus the 30 Pikachu rares and illustration rares such as Espeon and Umbreon. The classic reprints, including Base Set Charizard, are popular too.
Are the classic cards in 30th Celebration legal in Standard?
No. The classic reprints are not legal in the Standard format, but they can be used in formats that allow their original prints. The rest of the set has been legal for Play! Pokémon tournaments since 25 September 2026.
What about Chinese or Japanese 30th anniversary cards?
This guide covers the English 30th Celebration release. Pokémon cards are also printed in other languages, including Japanese and Chinese, and those editions are separate products. Our guide to Japanese vs English Pokémon cards explains the differences.
Where can I buy Pokémon cards in Ireland?
Phoenix TCG ships Pokémon booster boxes, packs and card protection tracked from Dublin across the Republic of Ireland. Our Pokémon range includes the Mega Evolution expansion Pitch Black, in stock now.
More guides from Phoenix TCG
- Pokémon Delta Reign: release date, products and Mega Rayquaza ex
- Japanese vs English Pokémon cards
- How to protect and store your trading cards
- TCG release dates 2026–2027: the full calendar
Product details, card and product images from The Pokémon Company International's official 30th Celebration announcements and tcg.pokemon.com. Pokémon and Pokémon character names are trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures and GAME FREAK.
Collect with Phoenix TCG
Join free for 500 welcome Gems, earn Gems on every order and get early access to limited drops.
Join free
