Pokémon 30 Years: All the Information About the Major 30th Celebration Set

Pokémon Trading card game: 30 Years is the major anniversary set celebrating 30 years of Pokémon TCG. Internationally, the expansion is known as Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration, while in Japan it is called 30th CELEBRATION. However, it is the same set everywhere: a special celebration of three decades of Pokémon cards.

The Release is scheduled for September 16, 2026. What makes this especially exciting is that the expansion is intended to launch simultaneously worldwide in participating markets. This means Collectors will not have to wait as long as usual for other Language versions. Whether you collect German, English, Japanese, or other international Pokémon cards, 30 Years, also known as 30th Celebration, will be a central set of 2026 for many fans.

In this article, you will get a concise overview of the Pokémon 30 Years set, the most important confirmed contents, special cards, products, and why this anniversary set is so interesting for Collectors.

What Is Pokémon 30 Years?

Pokémon 30 Years is a special expansion of the Pokémon Trading card game. The set celebrates the history of the TCG, from the first cards of the 1990s to modern Pokémon ex, new illustrations, and special Rarity levels.

Unlike a regular main set, 30 Years focuses heavily on nostalgia and collecting. It includes classic cards, new artwork, special Pikachu cards, and a new Rarity. This means the set is aimed not only at active Players, but especially at Collectors who want to celebrate the history of Pokémon TCG.

Several terms are important for SEO and product searches. In the German market, Pokémon 30 Years is used most often. Internationally, many fans search for Pokémon 30th Celebration, Pokemon 30th Anniversary Set, or Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration. These all refer to the same anniversary set.

The Most Important Information About the 30th Celebration Set

• German name: Pokémon Trading card game: 30 Years
• English name: Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration
• Japanese name: 30th CELEBRATION
• Release: September 16, 2026
• Special feature: coordinated worldwide Release in participating markets
• Booster: holographic cards only
• Pikachu focus: 30 different Pikachu cards with their own illustrations
• New Rarity: Futuristic Rare
• Classic cards: 30 special reprints from the history of Pokémon TCG

A Booster contains five holographic cards and one holographic Basic Energy card. Each Booster also contains one of 30 different Pikachu cards. This fixed Pikachu focus is likely to become one of the set’s greatest appeals for many Collectors.

30 Pikachu Cards for the Anniversary

Pikachu represents the brand like almost no other Pokémon. That is why it fits perfectly that 30 Years contains 30 different Pikachu cards. Each of these cards has its own illustration and was created by a different artist.

For Collectors, this creates a clear collecting goal. Instead of looking only for individual Chase Cards, they can try to collect all 30 Pikachu cards. Especially in an anniversary set, a sub-collection like this is exciting because it makes the set’s theme immediately visible.

Several Pikachu illustrations have already been shown, including cards by well-known artists such as Atsuko Nishida. Which Pikachu cards will ultimately become the most popular remains to be seen once all artwork has been revealed and the community has chosen its favorites.

Futuristic Rare: The New Rarity in Pokémon TCG

With 30 Years, the Pokémon Trading card game is introducing a new Rarity: Futuristic Rare. These cards are intended to look toward the future and feature a modern, color-intensive design.

The first Futuristic Rare cards shown feature Mew ex and Mewtwo ex. Both were illustrated by the Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN. This gives the set a clear vision of the future alongside its nostalgic elements. This combination of past and future is precisely what makes 30th Celebration so interesting.

Futuristic Rare cards could become some of the set’s most important highlights for Collectors. However, it is still unclear how rare these cards will really be compared with other special cards.

Classic Cards Return

A major part of the anniversary feeling comes from the return of classic cards. Pokémon 30 Years will include 30 cards from the history of the TCG in a special Foil version.

Some of the classic highlights already mentioned include Charizard from the Base Set and Pikachu & Zekrom-GX. These cards are especially appealing to long-time Collectors because they recall different eras of Pokémon TCG.

It is important to note that these classic reprints are not automatically playable in the Standard format. They can be used in formats where the original versions are also legal. For most Collectors, however, the nostalgic value is the main attraction.

Which Pokémon Have Already Been Revealed?

In addition to Pikachu, Mew, and Mewtwo, further Pokémon from the set have been teased or shown. These include Espeon, Umbreon, Lapras, Drifloon, Zorua, Lycanroc, Greninja ex, and Sylveon ex.

This clearly shows that Pokémon 30 Years is not focused only on the first generation. The set is intended to cover different regions, different eras, and a range of fan favorites. This is important for an anniversary set, because 30 years of Pokémon TCG means more than just nostalgia from the 1990s.

Which Products Will Be Released for Pokémon 30 Years?

A wide product line will be released for the 30th Celebration Set. It includes the Elite Trainer Box, the Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box, the Poster Collection, the 2-Pack Blister, the Knock Out Collection, the Binder Collection, the Booster Bundle, Mini-Tins, the Tech Sticker Collection, the Pokémon ex Box featuring Sylveon ex or Greninja ex, the Battle Decks featuring Espeon ex and Umbreon ex, the Ditto Premium Collection, and the Ultra-Premium Collection Day & Night.

In Japan, additional products such as the Premium Deck Set Espeon & Umbreon, the Futuristic Box, and a 30th Celebration Card Set have also been announced. This means the anniversary will be celebrated worldwide through different releases, not just in one Language or product line.

For Collectors, it is particularly exciting that many products include exclusive promotional cards or Accessories. So if you collect more than just Booster packs and are also interested in Binders, promos, Stickers, Posters, or premium products, 30 Years offers many different collecting opportunities.

Who Is Pokémon 30 Years Interesting For?

The set is particularly exciting for Collectors. The combination of all-Foil Boosters, 30 Pikachu cards, Futuristic Rare cards, and classic reprints is clearly designed around the anniversary.

Long-time fans will receive cards that recall earlier eras. New Collectors will get a set that combines many well-known Pokémon with modern illustrations. Anyone who collects international products can also compare German, English, and Japanese versions.

Players should pay particular attention to new Pokémon ex and potentially powerful cards. Even so, Pokémon 30 Years currently appears to be more of a collector and anniversary set than a regular competitive main set.

Why Caution Is Important With Early Information

Rumors can quickly emerge around a major anniversary set. This is especially true of possible pull rates, Chase Cards, and alleged complete card lists. Although many details are already officially known, not every card, Rarity distribution, or product variant has been fully confirmed for all markets.

What is currently certain is the Release on September 16, 2026, the worldwide launch in participating markets, the all-Foil Boosters, the 30 Pikachu cards, the new Futuristic Rare Rarity, and the return of classic cards.

Everything else should be monitored as The Pokémon Company officially reveals further cards, products, and details.

Pokémon 30 Years Will Be a Major Anniversary Set for Collectors

Pokémon Trading card game: 30 Years, internationally known as Pokémon TCG: 30th Celebration, is one of the most important Pokémon sets of 2026. It combines nostalgia, new illustrations, Pikachu as a collecting goal, and modern cards such as Mew ex and Mewtwo ex in Futuristic Rare.

The worldwide Release on September 16, 2026 makes the set especially exciting, as Collectors in different regions will be able to start almost simultaneously. German, English, and Japanese products are all part of the same major anniversary celebration.

If you collect Pokémon cards, you should definitely keep Pokémon 30 Years on your radar. The set not only celebrates the past of Pokémon TCG, but also shows how diverse and modern the Trading card game still is after 30 years.