Every confirmed and expected Pokémon Trading Card Game release in the United Kingdom for 2026 — main expansions, Elite Trainer Boxes, Premium Collections, and special products, tracked as the announcements arrive.
Last updated: 19 May 2026
Status key
- Confirmed — firm date announced
- Expected — release window announced, exact date pending
- Rumoured — leaked or anticipated, not officially confirmed
- Released — already on shelves
May 2026
Mega Evolution: Chaos Rising
Released: 22 May 2026 Status: Confirmed Type: Main expansion (ME04)
The fourth set in the Mega Evolution era. Mega Floette ex tears through Lumiose City after dark, joined by Mega Greninja ex, Mega Pyroar ex and Mega Dragalge ex. Early opening data suggests tighter Special Illustration Rare pull rates than Ascended Heroes, so sealed product is likely to climb quickly on the secondary market.
Releasing alongside:
- Mega Evolution: Chaos Rising Booster Packs, ETBs and Booster Bundles
- Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box — 11 packs and two full-art Fennekin promo cards
- Mega Zygarde ex Premium Collection — foil promo, oversize lenticular card, tech sticker, eight booster packs
- Mega Lucario ex League Battle Deck — ready-to-play 60-card deck
- Build & Battle Boxes — four boosters plus a foil promo from a set of four
June 2026
Lumiose City Mini Tins
Released: 5 June 2026 Status: Confirmed Type: Special product
Small-format tin set tied to the Mega Evolution narrative. Each tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet and a Pokémon art card. Entry-level pickup, useful for filling out a Chaos Rising binder.
First Partner Illustration Collection, Series 2
Released: 19 June 2026 Status: Confirmed Type: Special collection
Second series of the illustration-led starter celebration. Chikorita, Tepig and Totodile headline for Johto, Unova and Galar respectively. Atmospheric promo art aimed at collectors over players — likely to outperform on the secondary market for the rarer prints.
July 2026
Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection
Released: 3 July 2026 Status: Confirmed Type: Premium collection
A foil promo featuring Mega Greninja ex and its Mortal Shuriken ability, alongside an oversized foil promo, a tech sticker and eight booster packs. Released as a runway product to Pitch Black two weeks later.
Pitch Black Build & Battle Events
Window: 4–12 July 2026 Status: Confirmed Type: Pre-release events
Official UK Build & Battle prerelease events at local game stores. Forty-card decks, four boosters per box, and one of four unique foil promo cards. Early route to Pitch Black product before wide release.
Mega Evolution: Pitch Black
Released: 17 July 2026 Status: Confirmed Type: Main expansion
One of the darkest sets of the year, both literally and tonally. Six Mega Evolution Pokémon ex headline — Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex and Mega Excadrill ex — plus 11 Illustration Rares and 18 Ultra Rares across more than 115 cards.
Expected product line-up:
- Booster Packs, Booster Bundles and Booster Boxes
- Elite Trainer Boxes (regular and Pokémon Center exclusive)
- Mega Darkrai ex Premium Collection (expected)
- Build & Battle Boxes
August & September 2026
Mega Evolution: Storm Emerald
Released: August–September 2026 (UK date TBC) Status: Expected Type: Main expansion
Western counterpart to Japan’s Storm Emeralda (released 31 July in Japan). Headlined by Mega Rayquaza ex, which historically commands premium pricing on every printing. Potentially the most hyped set of the year, but the UK release window has not yet been officially confirmed.
30th Celebration Set ⭐
Released: 18 September 2026 Status: Confirmed Type: Anniversary set — global simultaneous launch
The headline release of the year, and the first time a Pokémon TCG set launches simultaneously worldwide. Six cards per pack instead of five — every card holofoil, every pack. A brand-new rarity tier debuts featuring Pikachu, Mewtwo and Mew. Expect anniversary energy to spill into vintage Base Set collecting interest for months on either side of release.
Releasing alongside:
- All-Foil Booster Packs (six cards per pack)
- Premium Deck Set: Espeon & Umbreon
- Anniversary-branded Elite Trainer Boxes
October 2026
30th Celebration Card Sets (×9)
Released: Throughout October 2026 (exact dates TBC) Status: Confirmed Type: Generational collections
Nine themed card sets — one per Pokémon generation — rolling out across October as a continuation of the 30th anniversary celebration. Each set is expected to drop in sequence rather than all at once.
Late 2026
ME05 — Fifth Main Mega Evolution Expansion
Released: Q3/Q4 2026 (TBC) Status: Expected Type: Main expansion
The fifth main Mega Evolution era expansion. The Pokémon Company typically announces new sets two to three months before release, so an official reveal is expected over the summer.
Possible Sixth Mega Evolution Set
Released: Q4 2026 (TBC) Status: Rumoured Type: Unannounced
A sixth Mega Evolution set has been suggested to round out the year, possibly tied to additional anniversary product. Not officially confirmed — treat as speculation until a reveal lands.
Already released in 2026
- 30 January 2026 — Mega Evolution: Ascended Heroes (ME era kickoff, 13 Mega ex cards)
- 30 January 2026 — Pokémon Day 2026 Collection (anniversary Pikachu promo plus three booster packs)
- 27 March 2026 — Mega Evolution: Perfect Order (ME03, featuring Mega Zygarde and Mega Clefable)
- 3 April 2026 — 2025 World Championships Decks (card-for-card Worlds replicas)
- 24 April 2026 — Ascended Heroes Booster Bundle (six booster packs)
This calendar is maintained by Shadowless and updated as releases are announced. Dates reflect UK availability and may shift in line with The Pokémon Company’s official communications. Spotted something missing? Get in touch.