2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan (1996), and The Pokémon Company is celebrating in a big way: the 30th anniversary of Pokémon comes to the TCG with 30th Anniversary Celebration, a commemorative expansion that already has a date, full lineup, and a list of goodies that will test any collector's wallet. We'll tell you everything that's been confirmed and how to prepare so you don't miss out.
What is 30th Anniversary Celebration?
It's the special 30th anniversary Pokémon TCG set, with a global launch on September 16, 2026 officially announced for Spain as well. It follows the formula of the legendary 25th anniversary Celebrations, but with more ambition:
- All cards in the set are holographic.
- Includes 30 unique Pikachu illustrations, and every pack guarantees one.
- Each pack contains 5 holographic cards, one holographic Basic Energy, and a code card for TCG Live.
- And the gem: the Classic Collection, with reissues of classic cards (keep reading).
This is what the set's booster packs look like: 5 guaranteed holographic cards in each.
The most important detail for planning your purchases: booster packs are not sold individually. They can only be found within the lineup products, just like with Celebrations in 2021.
Dates and Products: The 4 Waves
Wave 1: September 16
- Elite Trainer Box: 9 booster packs, Nidorina Illustration Rare style promo, 16 holographic energies, and accessories.
- Pokémon Center ETB (edition with extra sealed promo).
- Poster Collection: 3 booster packs, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres promos, and a double-sided poster.
- Tech Sticker Collection: 3 booster packs and Alolan Exeggutor or Lucario promo with stickers.
- Pokémon ex Box: 4 booster packs and Sylveon ex or Greninja ex promo with its jumbo card.
- Knock Out Collection and 2-Pack Blister: the affordable entry point, with Eevee promo and commemorative coin.
The Nidorina Illustration Rare style promo that comes with the Elite Trainer Box, in Spanish.
Poster Collection: 3 booster packs, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres promos, and a poster measuring approximately 68x99 cm.
The three legendary birds from the Poster Collection, in Spanish. Click on any card to view it larger.
Tech Sticker Collection (Lucario version): 3 booster packs, Lucario promo, and sticker sheet.
The two promos from the Tech Sticker Collections: Alolan Exeggutor and Lucario, in Spanish.
Sylveon ex Box: 4 booster packs, Sylveon ex promo, and its jumbo card. A Greninja ex version is also available.
The ex Box promos: Sylveon ex and Greninja ex, in Spanish.
Knock Out Collection: the most affordable option in the lineup, with the Eevee promo.
2-Pack Blister: two booster packs, Eevee promo, and commemorative Pikachu coin.
The Eevee (116/128) that accompanies the Knock Out Collection and the 2-Pack Blister, in Spanish.
Wave 2: October 2
- Day & Night Mini Tins: 10 tins whose Unown spell out “ANNIVERSARY” when put together. Highly collectible.
- Binder Collection: 9-pocket portfolio with 5 booster packs.
- Booster Bundle: 6 booster packs, the most direct way to open product.
Day (Pikachu) and Night (Umbreon) Mini Tins: 2 booster packs per tin, and the Unown from all 10 tins spell ANNIVERSARY.
Binder Collection: 9-pocket binder and 5 booster packs to start it off.
Booster Bundle: 6 booster packs from the set, no extras. For those who just want to open cards.
Wave 3: October 30
- Espeon ex and Umbreon ex Battle Decks: 60-card decks, all holographic, with Victini or Zeraora Illustration Rare style promo.
Espeon ex and Umbreon ex Battle Decks: 60 holographic cards each, ready to play.
The Battle Deck promos: Victini and Zeraora Illustration Rare style, in Spanish.
Wave 4: November 6
- Ultra-Premium Collections (Day with Pikachu ex and Espeon ex, Night with Pikachu ex and Umbreon ex): playmat, sleeves, deck box, 29 booster packs, and a special Classic Collection pack.
- Ditto Premium Collection: acrylic display, Ditto promo, and 8 booster packs.
- Mewtwo and Mew Figure Collections: sculpted figure, jumbo card, holographic promo, and 5 booster packs.
Day and Night Ultra-Premium Collections: 29 booster packs, playmat, sleeves, deck box, and the special Classic Collection pack.
The UPC promos: Pikachu ex and Espeon ex (Day), Pikachu ex and Umbreon ex (Night).
Ditto Premium Collection: 8 booster packs, Ditto promo, and acrylic display for showing it off.
The Ditto promo, in Spanish. Its Amazing Transformation promises to shake up games.
Mewtwo and Mew Figure Collections: sculpted figure, jumbo card, holographic promo, and 5 booster packs.
The Figure Collections promos: Mewtwo and Mew, in Spanish.
The Anniversary Gem: The Classic Collection
The most sought-after cards of the 30th anniversary are those from the Classic Collection: reissues of classic Pokémon cards, with the Base Set Charizard at the forefront. In the West, for now, they are only guaranteed through the special 3-card pack included in the Ultra-Premium Collections in November. If you're one of those who've been dreaming of that Charizard for years, you know which product to look at first.
The Base Set Charizard returns in the Classic Collection.
Our Opinion at Collectowny
Anniversary sets disappear from stores within days. Anyone who experienced the Celebrations 2021 craze knows what we're talking about, and this one brings even more reasons for hype (all holo, 30 Pikachu, Classic Collection). Our recommendation based on your profile:
- Serious collector: Ultra-Premium Collection, without a doubt. It's the only guaranteed way to the Classic Collection and comes with 29 booster packs.
- Medium budget: the September 16 Elite Trainer Box is the best balance of price, packs, and exclusive promo.
- For gifting or getting started: Mini Tins and the 2-Pack Blister are perfect and inexpensive.
- Players: the all-holo Espeon ex and Umbreon ex Battle Decks are, by far, the most visually striking preconstructed decks Pokémon has released.
House tip: don't wait for the launch. With special sets, pre-ordering is the difference between getting the product at a normal price or paying an inflated price on the secondary market three months later.
Is anything for the 30th anniversary already available?
Yes: the celebration began with the Pokémon Day 2026 Special Collection, the commemorative box from January. And as soon as distributors open allocation for the 30th Anniversary Celebration products, we will open pre-orders. The anniversary products will fly off the shelves, so if you want to secure yours, keep an eye on our Pokémon section.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Pokémon 30th anniversary set come out?
30th Anniversary Celebration launches worldwide on September 16, 2026, with products spread across four waves until November 6.
Will individual booster packs be available for purchase?
No. As with Celebrations (2021), booster packs only come inside products: ETBs, collections, bundles, and decks.
What is the Classic Collection?
A subset of reprints of classic cards (including the Base Set Charizard). In the West, it is guaranteed only in Ultra-Premium Collections.
Will it be available in Spanish?
Yes. The Pokémon Company has officially announced the expansion in Spanish as Celebración 30.º Aniversario, and all promotional cards have already been shown in Spanish, with the same worldwide launch on September 16, 2026.
Do you want us to notify you as soon as 30th-anniversary pre-orders open? Sign up for our mailing list (below) and be the first to reserve. From collector to collector: this set is not one you can leave until the last minute.