Pokémon TCG turns 30: the full Celebration lineup, wave by wave

This is the anniversary every collector was waiting for: the Pokémon Trading Card Game turns 30. To mark it, a landmark anniversary set — “30th Celebration” — arrives with a full lineup of sealed products. A first in the history of the TCG: the release will be worldwide and simultaneous, on September 16, 2026. At CMay, most of the lineup is already up for pre-order. On the menu: 30 years of history, then the lineup wave by wave, product cards included.

30 years of Pokémon cards, fast-forwarded

It all began in Japan in October 1996: on the 20th, Media Factory released the very first Pokémon Trading Card Game, with an “Expansion Pack” and its starter decks. A little over two years later, the game crossed borders: on January 9, 1999, Wizards of the Coast launched the famous Base Set in North America, building on that first set of cards and laying the foundations of the hobby worldwide.

France discovered the phenomenon the same year: the French Base Set arrived on November 18, 1999, still published by Wizards of the Coast, and remains the founding treasure of the TCG there. Wizards handled every release until its licence expired on September 30, 2003, when The Pokémon Company took production in-house — and has held the reins ever since.

Over the decades, the brand has marked its milestones with dedicated sets: Generations in 2016 for the 20th anniversary, then Celebrations in 2021 for the 25th and its Classic Collection of iconic cards. Thirty years after the very first card, the high point is here.

1. 1996

   The TCG is born in Japan, published by Media Factory

2. 1999

   US Base Set, published by Wizards of the Coast

3. 1999

   France debut: the French Base Set (November 18)

4. 2003

   The Pokémon Company takes production in-house

5. 2016

   Generations, the 20th anniversary set

6. 2021

   Celebrations, the 25th anniversary set

7. 2026

   30th Celebration: first-ever simultaneous worldwide release

The anniversary set at a glance

• Every card in the set is foil — right down to the basic Energy cards
• 1 guaranteed Pikachu card in every booster, among 30 brand-new illustrations by different artists
• A new “Futuristic” rarity, debuted by artist YOSHIROTTEN (first cards: Mew and Mewtwo)
• Etched Classic Collection cards inside the Ultra-Premium Collections
• Worldwide simultaneous release on September 16, 2026 — a TCG first

First wave: from September 16

The Elite Trainer Box leads the way: 9 boosters from the anniversary set, a commemorative promo card and exclusive 30th-anniversary accessories. Alongside it, the Pokémon-ex Box (Sylveon-ex or Greninja-ex), the sticker Tripack (Alolan Exeggutor or Lucario), the Poster Collection reuniting Articuno, Zapdos and Moltres as shiny promos, and the single booster to try your luck.

October: binder, mini tins and Battle Decks

On October 2, it's all about collector storage with the Binder Collection (9-pocket binder + 5 boosters) and the Mini Tin, whose artworks combine into two day-and-night murals. Late October, the Battle Deck arrives ready to play — 60 all-foil cards — as Espeon-ex (Victini promo) or Umbreon-ex (Zeraora promo).

November 6: the premium peak

The final wave targets the most demanding collectors: the Ditto Premium Collection (8 boosters + acrylic card holder), the sculpted Figure Collection (Mew or Mewtwo), and above all the Ultra-Premium Collection in “Day” (Espeon) or “Night” (Umbreon) flavour — 29 boosters, a Futuristic Pikachu-ex promo by YOSHIROTTEN, a metal coin and etched Classic Collection cards.

What about Japan?

Japan celebrates with the 30th CELEBRATION set (M6A), already stocked at CMay: the 20-booster display and single boosters, Card Sets dedicated to each generation's starters (from Kanto to Paldea), the Espeon & Umbreon Premium Deck Set, and the ultra-collector Futuristic Box by YOSHIROTTEN. Perfect for rounding out a bilingual collection, from the most accessible to the showcase piece.

CMay's advice

In the lineage of Generations (20th) and Celebrations (25th), this 30th Celebration is shaping up to be one of the most sought-after sets in TCG history. Allocations are limited and some references are already selling out in pre-order — secure your essentials early; the rest of the lineup will follow wave by wave.