Legality Date Changes

TPCi has announced that special release sets such as Ascended Heroes will change its legality date changed that when a set that does not have individual booster packs for sale will now have its tournament legality date two weeks after its Elite Trainer Box or Booster Bundle releases (whichever comes first). This means with Ascended Heroes ETB releasing on February 20, 2026, it will not be legal to play until March 6th. The set will not be legal for EUIC that takes place on February 13th. TPCi also announced regular sets will have their legality date based on when their booster packs, booster boxes, or Booster Bundles release. These usually release on the first date of the set release but this in case of problems down the line. The Larry and Erika Trainers Blisters were also delayed until February 20th.

3 Turns Return

TPCi had changed the rules for overtime back in September 2025 for only the active player to finish their current turn and the opponent to have one additional turn. Those rules will change on February 13th. It will revert back to active player finishing their turn and then 3 additional turns. The biggest change is these turns must be completed within 15 minutes. This is to keep "round time consistency". For reference visit. the official Pokémon Play website..

"G"oodbye

It was rumored that G cards would rotate out on April 10, 2026, it was confirmed today. The rotation will take place two weeks earlier on PTCGL on March 26, 2026. All cards with the letter G (except reprints with newer letters such as Boss's Orders and Rare Candy) will no longer be legal for play. This takes place one week after Orlando Regionals. Cards rotating include Charizard ex, Gardevoir ex, Iono, and Gholdengo ex. Expanded format will remain the same from Black & White and newer.

Celebrate 30 years of Pokémon

Series 1 of the First Partner Illustration Collections will release on March 30, 2026. Additional sets will release throughout 2026. This special set will celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pokémon. These will similar to the cards that were released for the 25th anniversary.

Pokémon 30 x McDonald's

Once again, McDonald's and Pokémon will be releasing cards in Happy Meals for 2026. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Pokémon. Cards for this upcoming set have not been revealed yet. It could include the Pikachu card that caused issues in Japan with massive crowds. The promotion is expected to run February and March 2026.

Printing Capacity Increasing in 2027

Millennium Print Group has signed the largest manufacturing lease in the U.S. in 2025, The new facility measures 1.27 million square feet and should allow for printing additional cards. This increased production should stabalize the market.

Millennium Print Group will receive 400,000 square feet of existing buildings at Spark.  Millennium will also receive a newly constructed 866,000 square foot manufacturing facility on the campus. Construction will be completed in 2027.The new plant should be completed in 2027.

Prize Pack Series 8 Coming Soon

Prize Pack Series 8 will be releasing on January 1, 2026. The booster packs will feature cards from Destined Rivals, Black Bolt, White Flare, and Mega Evolution. For the entire list, click here.

March 2026: Enter the Era of Perfect Order

The upcoming Perfect Order expansion marks the third English-language Mega Evolution set, drawing heavily from Japan’s Munikis Zero release. Scheduled for March 27, 2026, with prerelease events running March 14–22. The set introduces Mega Zygarde ex as its flagship card.  There will be over 120 cards including secret cards.

The Age of Ascended Heroes Arrives in January

The next special set will be Ascended Heroes. The set will feature over 290 cards, over 30 Trainer cards, and 13 new Mega EX Pokémon. There will be no pre-release events for the set. The set will release on January 30, 2026 with additional products releasing in February 2026. Also, there will be no individual packs or booster boxes for the set.

Mega Evolution: Phantasmal Flames Prerelease

Prerelease events for Mega Evolution: Phantasmal Flames will begin on November 1, 2025.

• Ceruledge (MEP014)
  

• Zacian (MEP015)
  

• Flygon (MEP016)
  

• Toxtricity (MEP017)
  

Mega Evolution Prerelease

The prerelease for Mega Evolution will take place starting on September 13, 2025.

• Meganium (MEP001)
  

• Inteleon (MEP002)
  

• Alakazam (MEP003)
  

• Lunatone (MEP004)