Pokemon 30th Anniversary Celebrations Release Info & Reveals for 2026

I am not quite sure how to start this blog without it sounding like the introduction of a rambling old man's memoir as he approaches his twilight years...

Yes, some of us who were around in the glory days of the mid to late 90s when we were buying base set Pokemon packs for less than £2 a pop are indeed still here! 

Ok so 30 years isn't a life time ago, but still, I have to say it... Those were the days!

Anyway, enough of the existential crisis ranting. Onto business.

It didn't go unnoticed that Pokemon have recently Trademarked "Celebration Collection" in Japan, and it doesn't take a genius investigator to figure out what this is in relation to!

Update: Pokemon 30th Anniversary Worldwide releases incoming!

Pokemon 30th Anniversary First Partner Series 1 Collection Boxes are due to hit the shelves this week and the hype for these initial 30th Celebrations offerings is not to be under estimated. 

You can set your stock notifications right here to find out when our allocation for First Partner Boxes drop: Pokemon First Partner Series 1 Collection Box

Featuring a promo pack & 2x Booster Packs (Mega Evolution & Phantasmal Flames)

Let's take another look!

Pokemon Day 2026!

First off, let's just say it up front... Expectations were high, especially for us TCG collectors. So instantly it feels like we've been short changed on news. But... This is just the beginning. we should have anticipated 'just a teaser'. However, if you are a Switch owner, you couldn't be happier, with new revolving around the new Winds & Waves generation game coming, the Mega Dimmensions DLC and Pokemon Pokopia, you didn't miss a thing!

Anyway back to TCGs... What we do know, is that the 30th Anniversary release is going down the Classic Collection route again, with cards from Base, Diamond & Pearl, E-Reader/E-Series and our absolutely fav… Sun & Moon. Plus I am sure a few other eras in between.

As expected from a classic collection, it will be a smattering of reprints from eras across the years.

This is just the beginning… With new Japanese, Chinese and now the worldwide simultaneous introduction of the Pokemon 30th Anniversary set. 

I’m sure we won’t be short of TCG news in the coming days! 

Let's take a look at what we've been tease so far.

First Partner Update:

One of the biggest and best updates we have had so far, initially kicked off by the folks at Pokemon China, is the upcoming release of the Series 1 First Part Promos. We are yet to see what format these cards will take in Japanese format however, in English/International, we will have this awesome First Partner Series 1 Illustration Collection box. This box will feature 2 Packs from the Mega Evolution expansions, a sticker set and of course, a Series 1 Promo Pack which will feature a starter Pokemon from either Kanto, Sinnoh or Alola regions.

We can safely assume that future series, which will more than likely release throughout the year, will contain starters from the other 6 regions... Will we be getting anything for our 10th Generation? 

Update: 24/02/2026 Pokemon Day Incoming!

Yes! Pokemon Day 2026 is but a few short days away at the time of this update. This means an avalanche of updates, reveals, releases & news are going to hit us this Friday including: Possible Gen 10 Wind & Waves updates, 30th Anniversary drops, New Fire Red & Leaf Green release updates and so on... Stay tuned, we will be following Pokemon day updates closely as they occur!

New Swag update: 18/02/26

It's no surprise that with the 30th Anniversary Celebrations about to kick off this month, that there would be a huge range of merch available. We have taken a look at some of the collaborative merch, now the official Pokemon Center range is here.

How many logos can we get one one post?

Iconic update! 17/02/26

Ok, picture this... You get home after a long day at school, you grab your Gameboy and flick that switch. You hear those two chimes as your console boots up and that intro starts... What intro you say?

For us Pokemon nerds, especially the Millennials (shout out) the saying "a picture paints a thousand words" seem appropriate here. Maybe not words... But memories!

BIG UPDATE! 09/02/26

Huge news from Pokemon China as they are the first to drop a brand new line of 30th Anniversary/Celebrations products in the form of the new First Partner Art Rare Sets featuring Starters from Kanto, Sinnoh & Alola regions making up 9 familiar faces from Gen 1, 4 and 7. We should expect to see the Japanese announcements very soon and now that the flood gates have opened on the 30th Anniversary Pokemon products, we can only expect there is a lot more to come!

Due for release: 20/03/2026

Kanto Starters

Update Super Bowl...

One of the biggest surprises for the start of Pokémon’s 30th anniversary year is that The Pokémon Company International will launcg the celebration with a commercial during Super Bowl LX on Feb 8 2026, a globally broadcast event typically watched by millions. The ad features Jigglypuff and the 30th anniversary logo, and serves as the official debut of the year-long anniversary campaign.

Recent listings from Pokémon Center stores and TCG accessories sites show new products specifically branded for the 30th anniversary, including card sleeves, deck boxes, apparel, pins, lanyards, tumblers, and more, all featuring the commemorative logo of course.

There’s a confirmed tease, separate from the Super Bowl spot, for an anniversary video tied directly to Pokémon Day (Feb 27). This video appears positioned as a celebratory piece highlighting Pokémon’s long history and will likely accompany or introduce the official Pokémon Presents showcase.

With an estimated $8m ad spend, this is some serious investment in the 30th year of the franchise.

Update: Merch time! 02/01/2026

So unsurprisingly with the upcoming anniversary sometime later in the year... There are already collaboration plans in place to deliver some new swag. These new collaborations probably won't wait until the anniversary is here and release their new goodies throughout the year. This includes a new McDonald's happy meal, Adidas sneakers/trainers, New T shirts and merch and more LEGO!

At this point sadly, all we have is pure speculation (as of November 26th 2025) as to what might be coming. Considering Trademarks are usually done up to 9 months in advance of a set even seeing the light of day, we are looking at Autumn 2026 at least. This tracks given that the original 1996 release was in October.

A little taste of something for 2026 is this special release for Pokemon Day 2026:

Here is a look at a little time line of Pokemon releases that we spotted thanks to Pokebeach.

• November 28th: MEGA Dream ex releasing as Japan's annual High Class Pack set featuring Mega Dragonite ex.

• December 19th: Start Deck 100 Battle Collection.

• January 23rd: Munikis Zero featuring Mega Zygarde ex.

• January 23rd: "Mega Gallade ex Special Set" boxed product releasing.

• March 13th: Ninja Spinner featuring Mega Greninja ex.

• (?): Storm Emeralda/Emerald Storm featuring Mega Rayquaza?

• (?): Abyss Eye featuring Darkrai?

• (?): Celebration Collection

So there is plenty to come before we start celebrating Pokemon's 30th Birthday but never the less, we will keep you posted!

In the meantime, the nearest release is (at the time of this initial draft) is the intensely anticipated Pokemon Mega Dream High Class set