ex★: Pokémon's New TCG Era Arrives in 2027

At the closing ceremony of the 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco, The Pokémon Company teased the Trading Card Game's next major era on August 31: ex★ (ex Star). It follows the current MEGA series and carries the game into 2027. An official logo was shown, but there is no name for the first set, no release date, and no price yet. The Pokémon Company is asking fans to wait for the next announcement.

What was shown?

The trailer presented five cards and the kickoff for the new series. Two changes take center stage and will reshape how cards look.

New rarity: Mega Attack Rare

ex★ introduces a brand-new rarity tier: the Mega Attack Rare (MA). Four of these cards were already shown:

  • Mega Rayquaza ex
  • Mega Darkrai ex
  • Mega Greninja ex
  • Mega Zygarde ex

The MA cards continue the dynamic, full-bleed look of the MEGA era and are likely to become the most sought-after chase cards of the new series.

Mega Lucario Z ex: the first Z Mega Evolution

Also confirmed was Mega Lucario Z ex, the first so-called Z Mega Evolution in the Trading Card Game. That makes the card officially real and no longer just a rumor. Its ability name matches the Japanese set “Aura Seeker”, which is reported to release in Japan on November 27, 2026. The Pokémon Company has not confirmed that date or the set assignment yet.

Suicune, Entei and Raikou as the first ex★ cards

The legendary trio Suicune, Entei and Raikou were shown as the first Pokémon to receive an ex★ card. They give an early impression of how the new series look will feel.

What does this mean for collectors and buyers?

The shift from the MEGA era to the ex★ era is a turning point that only happens every few years. For collectors it means the current MEGA series is winding down, and its products will grow scarcer over time. If you still want to complete the current era, keep an eye on the coming weeks. There are no concrete pre-order dates for ex★ yet. As soon as a set name and date are set, we at pokelix will sort things out in time and open pre-orders.

On the side, a new animated film “Wild Card” for 2027 and the host city of the 2027 World Championships were also announced in San Francisco.

Back to blog