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.
Available at Friends now
Ready for your collection.
These Pokémon 30th preorders are currently available directly from Friends.
30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box
PriceCHF 169.00
Available4
30th Celebration: Mini Tin Display
PriceCHF 349.00
Available6
30th Celebration: Umbreon Ultra-Premium Collection
PriceCHF 549.00
Available10
30th Celebration Booster Bundle
PriceCHF 79.00
Available29
2026 · a shared opening
WORLDWIDE · WITH CAVEATS
For the first time, the card world is planned to open at almost the same moment.
The anniversary products are the first Pokémon Card products planned for a near-simultaneous worldwide release. That changes the mood: less lead time between markets, more shared discoveries, and conversations that can begin across borders together.
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.
The anniversary products are the first Pokémon Card products planned for simultaneous worldwide release, excluding some regions and with possible timing differences caused by time zones and distribution.
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, Poster Collection, Sylveon ex/Greninja ex Box, Elite Trainer Box, and Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box.
Collecting
02Binder Collection, Booster 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.
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 world
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration Booster
International · October 2, 2026
30th Celebration Booster Bundle
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration: Alolan Exeggutor Tech Sticker Collection
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration: Lucario Tech Sticker Collection
International · September 16, 2026
30th Celebration: Eevee 2-Pack Blister
International · October 30, 2026
30th Celebration: Espeon ex Battle Deck
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, historical classics, and 30 different Pikachu illustrations; 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.
Friends Newsdesk · Updated August 3, 2026
Verified, open, next.
No racing ticker and no manufactured urgency: only the latest verified picture.
Verified
Japan date and new anniversary events confirmed
M6a / MEGA Expansion Pack 30th CELEBRATION and the official Japanese BOX launch on September 16, 2026; the October date belongs to the separate Card Sets.
Pokémon Night Out fuses electronic dance music (EDM) with the world of Pokémon using cutting-edge technology and animation.
Pokémon Night Out takes place at Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on October 24, 2026, headlined by Marshmello with Alison Wonderland supporting.
Pokémon Night Out takes place at the O2 Arena in London on November 10, 2026, headlined by Marshmello with Alison Wonderland supporting.
Pokémon Day Out takes place at Toreo Parque Central in Mexico City on August 8–9, 2026; reservations are offered through the official page.
Open
The exact Japanese BOX format
An official Japanese BOX is announced; its exact format is still being checked.
Next update
When official details arrive
Friends will update this story when new products, regional dates, or more precise distribution information are officially confirmed.
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.