Meowth and Alolan Meowth Revealed for Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration

Pokémon Trading Card Game fans are gearing up for the Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration set, which marks the franchise’s three-decade milestone with a simultaneous worldwide release on September 16, 2026. The expansive anniversary collection features classic card reprints, special Pikachu illustrations, and brand-new card rarities.

Simultaneous Global Rollout and Wave Structure

Unlike previous expansions that stagger international releases months behind Japan, the 30th Celebration set initiates its rollout simultaneously worldwide on September 16, 2026. The collection’s products will debut across three distinct autumn waves, beginning with Wave 1 in September, followed by specialized storage options in October, and concluding with dedicated deck and collector products in November.

Wave 1 brings several flagship items, most notably the 30th Celebration Elite Trainer Box priced at $49.99. This box includes nine booster packs, a full-art Nidorina promo card, 16 foil Basic Energy cards, 65 premium card sleeves, a player’s guide, dice, a coin-flip die, a plastic coin, and organizational dividers. Collectors shopping through the Pokémon Center can also secure an exclusive version of the Elite Trainer Box that boosts the pack count to 11 and includes a second Nidorina promo featuring the official Pokémon Center stamp.

The Complete Guide to Pokemon's 30th Celebration Set

The initial September wave also introduces lower-priced entry points for budget-conscious collectors. The Poster Collection and Tech Sticker Collection both retail for $14.99, offering three booster packs alongside foil promos featuring Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres in the poster set, or Alolan Exeggutor and Lucario in the sticker collection. Meanwhile, the Pokémon ex Boxes retail for $21.99 and contain four packs, a shiny foil promo, and a jumbo version of either Sylveon ex or Greninja ex. Rounding out the September offerings, the Knock Out Collection and 2-Pack Blisters cost $9.99 each and come with two packs, a plastic coin, and an Eevee promo.

October and November Product Waves

Meowth Regional Variants and Illustrated Chase Cards

Official reveals have highlighted major aesthetic additions to the expansion, including Illustration Rare cards for Meowth and Alolan Meowth. Illustrated by MINAMINAMI Take, the standard Meowth card depicts the Scratch Cat Pokémon enjoying a peaceful catnap on a sunny day, while OKUBO’s illustration rare places Meowth in an urban setting alongside Alolan Meowth.

Meowth and Alolan Meowth Revealed for Pokémon TCG 30th Celebration — Photo: smarty.cz

The expansion’s visual identity also introduces a brand-new card rarity known as Futuristic rare featuring artwork from Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN. According to the official announcement, each Futuristic rare card will depict Pokémon in striking artwork evocative of hope toward an unknown future. Standout entries in this category include Futuristic Rare cards for Mew ex and Mewtwo ex.

Every booster pack across the expansion will contain five foil cards, including a foil Basic Energy card, a TCG Live code card, and one of 30 collectible Pikachu illustration cards illustrated by different artists with both regular and foil variants. The set will also incorporate 30 classic cards from across TCG history featuring a 30 Pikachu stamp and a foil finish, though these classic reprints will not be tournament legal.

Early Set List Leaks and Collector Anticipation

Ahead of the official rollout, scans of the Elite Trainer Box set list booklet surfaced early on social media platforms such as X and Reddit. While community members advise treating leaked scans with caution due to the modern prevalence of AI-generated imagery, much of the leaked card data aligns directly with official promotional trailers released by The Pokémon Company.

The leaked and officially confirmed card lists feature major chase items, including reprints of iconic historical rares such as Shining Celebi from Neo Destiny, Lugia from Aquapolis, and Dark Tyranitar from Team Rocket Returns. With pre-orders already underway at outlets such as the Pokémon Center and Magic Madhouse, high demand has made products very difficult to secure as collectors prepare for the September 16 release date.