30th Celebration: Everything You Need to Know

Pokémon turns 30, and the 30th Celebration set is the centrepiece of that anniversary. It launches on 16 September 2026, the first time ever worldwide on the same day, every card in every pack is a foil card, and every booster holds one of 30 different Pikachu cards. This guide sums up what you need to know before release: dates, products, prices, the new rarity and the chase cards.

Short answer: what is 30th Celebration?

30th Celebration is the anniversary set for Pokémon's 30th birthday and launches worldwide simultaneously on 16 September 2026 - the first time in the history of the trading card game that a set starts internationally on the same day. Every card in every booster is a foil card. Each pack is guaranteed to contain one of 30 unique Pikachu cards, plus the brand-new Futuristic Rare rarity, designed by Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN. A Japanese booster costs 360 yen and holds six cards, a display of 20 packs is 7,200 yen. Around the set, 27 products release in several waves, from the Elite Trainer Box through the Pokémon ex Box to the Ultra Premium Collection. Card-list highlights are Mewtwo ex and Mew ex plus strong allies such as Umbreon ex, Salamence ex and Greninja ex.

When does 30th Celebration release?

The main release is 16 September 2026, worldwide on the same day. That day brings the set itself, the Elite Trainer Box and most collections. The 27 products roll out in waves: more collections follow on 2 October 2026, and the premium products including the Ultra Premium Collection arrive between 30 October and 6 November 2026. If you want a specific box, keep an eye on the date of its wave, because anniversary print runs sell through quickly.

Which products are there?

The lineup covers 27 products. The key ones at launch:

• Elite Trainer Box: nine 30th Celebration boosters, one illustration-rare-style promo card featuring Nidorina and the usual game accessories.
• Pokémon ex Box: four boosters, one promo card featuring Sylveon ex or Greninja ex and the matching oversize card.
• Knock Out Collection: two boosters, one foil promo featuring Eevee and a collector coin.
• Ultra Premium Collection and further premium boxes: arrive in the final wave from late October.

There is also the Classic Collection, a 30-card reprint set of old classics. Confirmed so far are Base Set Charizard and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX.

What is the new Futuristic rarity?

For the anniversary, The Pokémon Company introduces a completely new rarity: the Futuristic Rare. These cards carry new, futuristic artwork by renowned Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN and are exclusive to this set. They are the collector highlight alongside the 30 Pikachus and clearly set 30th Celebration apart from an ordinary set. Because every card in the set is foil, even a plain pack feels premium - the Futuristic Rares are the peak of that.

Which cards are the highlights?

At the top of the card list are Mewtwo ex and Mew ex, plus a whole range of popular allies such as Umbreon ex, Salamence ex and Greninja ex. The real long-term chase, though, is the 30 different Pikachu cards: every pack holds exactly one, and collecting them all is deliberately designed as a long-term goal. For collectors that means plenty of repeat-buy appeal, while for resale the rarer Pikachu variants and the Futuristic Rares are the most interesting.

What does a pack cost?

A Japanese booster costs 360 yen and holds six cards: five foil cards plus one YOSHIROTTEN-designed foil basic energy, with one of the cards guaranteed to be one of the 30 Pikachu cards. A display of 20 packs is 7,200 yen. Western prices differ and depend on the individual products such as the Elite Trainer Box or ex Box.

Is it worth pre-ordering?

Because it is the first worldwide simultaneous release and the set is a genuine anniversary product with all-foil cards, a new rarity and 30 Pikachus, demand is high. If you want a specific box for certain, an early pre-order beats waiting for leftover stock after release. Keep the individual wave in mind: not everything launches on 16 September, the premium products only arrive from late October. At pokelix we will let you know as soon as pre-orders open for the individual products.