Nos & Ama · Anniversary desk
Friends Magazine · Pokémon TCG
30 years of Pokémon TCG — and that feeling all over again.
One booster, a quiet crackle, a new favourite pull: in 2026, three decades of collecting become an anniversary told in several chapters.
Two beginnings · one great story
Pokémon began in February. The cards followed in October.
The story of 30 years of Pokémon has two closely connected beginnings. First came the games. A few months later, the Trading Card Game began in Japan — bringing together discovery, trading and play in a way that still connects fans today.
27 · 02 · 1996
On February 27, 1996, the Game Boy games Pocket Monsters Red and Green launched in Japan — the origin of the Pokémon series.
20 · 10 · 2026
The Pokémon Trading Card Game began in Japan in October 1996 and reaches its 30th anniversary on October 20, 2026.
The November chapter · 6 November 2026
The anniversary season continues.
Little shapeshifters, Pokémon legends and special pieces for your collection. Discover the next chapter of 30th Celebration.
Ditto. A little star with a big personality.
For collectors who follow their favourite Pokémon first: the Ditto Premium Collection puts the shapeshifter in the spotlight. A playful companion to the anniversary’s grand legends.
Mew & Mewtwo. Beyond the binder.
Two personalities, two collections. Each brings a sculpted figure, a foil promo, an oversize card and five boosters. Choose the Pokémon you want to celebrate on your shelf as well as in your card collection.
Espeon or Umbreon. Your day, your night.
The Day & Night Ultra-Premium Collections pair Pikachu ex with Espeon ex or Umbreon ex. A playmat, sleeves, deck box, 29 anniversary boosters and a three-card Classic Collection booster set the scene for a memorable evening of opening packs.
Available at Friends now
Ready for your collection.
These Pokémon 30th preorders are currently available directly from Friends.
30th Celebration: Mew Figure Collection
PriceCHF 89.00
Available4
30th Celebration: Mewtwo Figure Collection
PriceCHF 89.00
Available4
30th Celebration: Espeon ex Battle Deck
PriceCHF 39.00
Available10
30th Celebration: Umbreon ex Battle Deck
PriceCHF 39.00
Available9
2026 · a shared opening
WORLDWIDE · WITH CAVEATS
One shared launch. So many collecting stories.
30th Celebration has arrived. Anticipation turns into opened packs, favourite cards and stories shared by collectors. Further product releases give the anniversary season new chapters through November.
The official announcement excludes some regions and notes possible differences caused by time zones and distribution. A shared release therefore does not mean the same hour or identical availability everywhere.
International · the anniversary autumn
Four dates. Four chapters.
The international programme unfolds from September to November. Each wave has its own character — from the opening release and collecting formats to decks and premium collections.
Opening
01On September 16, 2026, 30th Celebration launches with Tech Sticker Collection, 2-Pack Blister, Knock Out Collection, Binder Collection, Poster Collection, Sylveon ex/Greninja ex Box, Elite Trainer Box, and Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box.
Collecting
02Booster Bundle and Mini Tins follow on October 2, 2026.
Playing
03Battle Decks featuring Espeon ex and Umbreon ex arrive on October 30, 2026.
Finale
04Ditto Premium Collection, Ultra-Premium Collection—Day & Night, and Figure Collection—Mew & Mewtwo arrive on November 6, 2026.
Card reveal · Update 3 September 2026
30th Celebration is finally showing its cards.
The cards now take centre stage: fresh artwork, familiar Pokémon and thirty different Pikachu illustrations. Revisit the highlights of our card reveal.
FUR · Mew ex & Mewtwo ex
01FUR makes its debut as a new rarity. The first two cards shown are Mew ex and Mewtwo ex, featuring vivid futuristic artwork by YOSHIROTTEN.
Mew ex & Greninja ex
02The set also has a gameplay identity: Mew ex can use attacks from Pokémon on your Bench, while Greninja ex scales its damage with existing damage counters and can target the Bench.
Legendary generations
03The anniversary journey brings together Legendary Pokémon from multiple generations, including Ho-Oh, Lugia, Groudon, Kyogre, Reshiram, Zekrom, Zacian, and Zamazenta.
Pikachu · 30 unique cards
30Pikachu remains the centrepiece: 30 foil variants by 30 illustrators, each with its own artwork, attack combination, and number. Two Pikachu ex special illustration rares add a Day & Night pairing.
For collectors in Switzerland, this is the news that matters: 30th Celebration is more than an anniversary logo. The set combines new chase cards, 30 distinct Pikachu, and selected callbacks to three decades of the Pokémon TCG.
Explore all product worlds
Your anniversary season
From the first booster to the centrepiece of your collection.
Tech Stickers, special boxes, premium collections, and Japan's Card Sets turn the anniversary into a journey through six release waves.
Explore images, contents, and dates in a product world where every edition gets its own spotlight.
Enter the 30th Celebration product worldInternational
29
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration Booster
Five foil cards and one foil Basic Energy per booster; every pack contains one of 30 Pikachu artworks.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration Booster Bundle
A bundle containing six 30th Celebration booster packs.
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration: Alolan Exeggutor Tech Sticker Collection
A foil Alolan Exeggutor or Lucario promo, matching tech stickers, and three booster packs.
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration: Lucario Tech Sticker Collection
A foil Alolan Exeggutor or Lucario promo, matching tech stickers, and three booster packs.
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration: Eevee 2-Pack Blister
An Eevee foil promo, a plastic coin, and two booster packs.
International · October 30, 2026
30th Celebration: Espeon ex Battle Deck
An all-foil 60-card Espeon ex or Umbreon ex deck with a deck box, coin, and playmat.
International · October 30, 2026
30th Celebration: Umbreon ex Battle Deck
An all-foil 60-card Espeon ex or Umbreon ex deck with a deck box, coin, and playmat.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Mew & Alolan Exeggutor Mini Tin
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Espeon & Meowth Mini Tin
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Greninja & Volbeat Mini Tin
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Lapras & Drifloon Mini Tin
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Mewtwo & Scraggy Mini Tin
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Moltres & Articuno Mini Tin
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Pikachu & Toxtricity Mini Tin
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Umbreon & Alolan Meowth Mini Tin
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Pikachu & Vivillon Mini Tin
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Zapdos & Hisuian Zorua Mini Tin
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration: Mini Tin Display
Each Mini Tin contains two booster packs, a sticker sheet, and a matching art card; ten artworks are announced.
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box
Nine booster packs, a full-art Nidorina promo, and play and storage accessories.
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box
Eleven booster packs, two full-art Nidorina promos including one Pokémon Center logo version, and accessories.
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration Poster Collection
A commemorative poster, Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres foil promos, and three booster packs.
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration: Sylveon ex Box
A Sylveon ex or Greninja ex foil promo and oversize card plus four booster packs.
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration: Greninja ex Box
A Sylveon ex or Greninja ex foil promo and oversize card plus four booster packs.
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration: Knock Out Collection
An Eevee foil promo, a plastic coin, and two booster packs.
International · November 6, 2026
30th Celebration: Ditto Premium Collection
A Ditto promo, a colorful acrylic display, and eight booster packs.
International · November 6, 2026
30th Celebration: Mewtwo Figure Collection
A Mew or Mewtwo foil promo and oversize card, a matching sculpted figure, and five booster packs.
International · November 6, 2026
30th Celebration: Mew Figure Collection
A Mew or Mewtwo foil promo and oversize card, a matching sculpted figure, and five booster packs.
International · November 6, 2026
30th Celebration: Espeon Ultra-Premium Collection
The official Day & Night family offers a Pikachu ex with Espeon ex or Umbreon ex theme, 29 booster packs, one Classic Collection booster, and accessories.
International · November 6, 2026
30th Celebration: Umbreon Ultra-Premium Collection
The official Day & Night family offers a Pikachu ex with Espeon ex or Umbreon ex theme, 29 booster packs, one Classic Collection booster, and accessories.
Japan
13
Japan · October 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Card Set – Alola
Three foil starter promos, two Japanese M6a booster packs, and a three-card stand.
Japan · October 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Card Set – Galar
Three foil starter promos, two Japanese M6a booster packs, and a three-card stand.
Japan · October 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Card Set – Hoenn
Three foil starter promos, two Japanese M6a booster packs, and a three-card stand.
Japan · October 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Card Set – Johto
Three foil starter promos, two Japanese M6a booster packs, and a three-card stand.
Japan · October 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Card Set – Kalos
Three foil starter promos, two Japanese M6a booster packs, and a three-card stand.
Japan · October 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Card Set – Kanto
Three foil starter promos, two Japanese M6a booster packs, and a three-card stand.
Japan · October 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Card Set – Paldea
Three foil starter promos, two Japanese M6a booster packs, and a three-card stand.
Japan · October 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Card Set – Sinnoh
Three foil starter promos, two Japanese M6a booster packs, and a three-card stand.
Japan · October 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Card Set – Unova
Three foil starter promos, two Japanese M6a booster packs, and a three-card stand.
Japan · September 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Futuristic Box
A Pokémon Center Online supply set with two FUR-style Pikachu ex promos and premium play accessories.
Japan · September 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Japanese M6a Expansion Pack
The Japanese M6a expansion with six random foil cards per pack; an official BOX format is also documented.
Japan · September 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Japanese M6a Booster Display
The Japanese M6a Booster Display contains 20 booster packs with six foil cards each.
Japan · September 16, 2026
Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration Premium Deck Set – Espeon & Umbreon
Two ready-to-play 60-card decks built around Espeon ex and Umbreon ex plus play accessories.
Why these cards matter
Thirty Pikachu, classic memories, and every pack full of shine.
30th Celebration does more than look back. New illustration rare cards meet the Classic Collection and thirty distinct Pikachu illustrations — an anniversary album every generation can read differently.
For collectors
Thirty Pikachu artworks turn a familiar character into a visual journey through time. Classics bring recognition; new illustrations bring the thrill of a first discovery.
What is inside the boosters?
Every international booster pack contains five foil cards plus one foil Basic Energy — six shining cards every time you open a pack.
30th Celebration combines new illustration rare cards with historical classics. Each of the 30 Pikachu cards has its own illustration, attack combination, and Pikachu number; two Pikachu ex special illustration rares explore the Day & Night theme. Each international booster pack contains five foil cards plus one foil Basic Energy.
International & Japan
One anniversary, two distinct programmes.
The international story
Four confirmed waves carry the expansion across different formats. The English Elite Trainer Box and Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box are part of the opening, each with its own officially confirmed contents.
The Japanese story
Japan begins on September 16 with MEGA Expansion Pack 30th CELEBRATION, Premium Deck Set Espeon & Umbreon, and the FUTURISTIC BOX. Nine Card Sets featuring starter trios from Kanto through Paldea follow on October 16.
The Japanese MEGA Expansion Pack 30th CELEBRATION launches September 16, 2026; each pack contains six foil cards, including a guaranteed Basic Energy and one of 30 Pikachu variants.
Japan also receives Premium Deck Set Espeon & Umbreon and Pokémon Center Online 30th CELEBRATION FUTURISTIC BOX on September 16.
Nine separate Japanese 30th CELEBRATION Card Sets featuring starter trios from Kanto through Paldea follow on October 16, 2026.
To be continued
The best stories do not move faster. They become clearer.
Nos and Ama are staying with the anniversary year. When new details are officially confirmed, the next chapter will appear here — clear, considered, and written with a fan's eye.
Come back when the next signal has become real news.