While most people look to the next expansion for their Pokémon TCG collection, I'm looking slightly further ahead, into 2026. Sure, Phantasmal Flames is finally here, and it looks pretty neat, but next year marks the big 3-0 for our favorite multi-billion dollar franchise, and the first Pokémon Day collection for the anniversary has been revealed. Though as much as I want it, I'm not expecting to get it, in all honesty.
As the Japanese Mega Dream ex set is launching in November, we can expect a Prismatic Evolutions-style, high-value English expansion in January 2026 (unless there are any delays). And, considering beloved, 1st gen weirdo Dragonite is the focus, I imagine said upcoming Pokémon TCG expansion will evaporate from online stores and local card shops within nanoseconds. But next year also marks the game's huge three-decade milestone, with Pokémon Red & Green's release back in February 1996.
This is a huge celebration for any franchise, but considering how prevalent Pokémon is to this day, with no major controversies to its name (unlike a certain spellbinding franchise), this particular anniversary is fairly certain to be, er, big. One way or another, it's going to be a busy time for collectors like me, and I wouldn't be too shocked to see many of next year's hyped chase cards end up in our list of the most expensive Pokémon cards of all time. In fact, I can already see the start of a potentially scalped card, and it comes in the form of a surprisingly cheap collection.
As revealed by PokeBeach, the Pokémon Day 2026 Collection marks the first sign of the 30th Anniversary products, and it's a three-pack collection launching for just $14.99. That's pretty decent pricing, considering that all Pokémon sets have boosters going for extravagant prices right now, but it also includes a metallic coin and what I'm most excited to add to my collection - a Pikachu with a 30th Anniversary stamp.
This isn't something printed specifically for the collection. Rather, it's a stamped version of Pikachu #51 from the Scarlet & Violet Temporal Forces expansion. That doesn't stop it from being one of the most sought-after collectibles going into the New Year, though, and I suspect the scalpers will be all over this. Not only is it fairly cheap, but the promo card on top of the three packs (two Phantasmal Flames, one Mega Evolution) makes it worth buying alone.
If you're looking to buy this Pokémon Day 2026 Collection, it's reportedly releasing on Friday, January 30, 2026. We'd suggest keeping an eye on the following retailers to pre-order the product before it goes out of stock:
- Amazon (global)
- Walmart (US)
- Target (US)
- Magic Madhouse (UK)
- TCGPlayer (third-party listings)
Will you be going all-in on the Pokémon 30th Anniversary? Let us know in the Wargamer Discord community, and make sure to turn your notifications on so you won't miss any excellent TCG deals from the best trading card games around, from our beloved 'mon to MTG, Lorcana, and more. Only three years until the 30th anniversary of the Japan-only Donkey Kong TCG, too, so that will probably usher in a huge celebration as well.