Every Pokémon TCG Set in Release Order (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 9, 2026 · 6 min read
The Pokémon TCG has published over 130 distinct English sets since Base Set in 1998.
The clearest answer for a buyer in 2026: two eras are currently in print. The Scarlet & Violet series (SV01 through SV10, March 2023 through May 2025) and the Mega Evolution series (ME01 through ME06, 2025 through at least November 2026) are both releasing alongside each other right now. Every era before Scarlet & Violet is out of print and available only on the secondary market.
This hub covers every era in release order, links to the detailed set guides for each, and tells you exactly where the current release calendar stands.
Every Pokémon TCG era in release order
The full list of English sets at Serebii tracks every expansion and subset. The table below uses eras as defined by the card publisher and the flagship mechanic for each, cross-referenced against the official Pokémon TCG product pages.
| Era | Publisher | EN years | Approx. EN sets | Flagship mechanic | In print now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original / WOTC | Wizards of the Coast | 1998–2003 | ~18 | None (Base frame) | No |
| EX | Nintendo / TPCI | 2003–2007 | ~27 | Pokémon-ex | No |
| Diamond & Pearl | TPCI | 2007–2009 | ~9 | LV.X | No |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | TPCI | 2010–2011 | ~6 | LEGEND | No |
| Black & White | TPCI | 2011–2013 | ~12 | Pokémon-EX | No |
| XY | TPCI | 2013–2016 | ~16 | Mega Evolution, EX | No |
| Sun & Moon | TPCI | 2017–2019 | ~12 | GX, Prism Star | No |
| Sword & Shield | TPCI | 2019–2023 | ~14 | V, VMAX, VSTAR | No |
| Scarlet & Violet | TPCI | 2023–2025 | 13 (SV01–SV10) | ex, Tera types | Some |
| Mega Evolution | TPCI | 2025–present | 6 (ME01–ME06) | Mega Evolution ex | Yes |
Set counts above are approximate and include special-set releases within each era. The EX era holds the record for the most distinct sets of any single era, at roughly 27 expansions over four years. The WOTC era (Base Set through Skyridge) is what most collectors mean when they say "vintage."
On this page 7 sections
The Mega Evolution era (2025–present)
The Mega Evolution era is the current in-print era, and it does something no previous TCG era has done.
Every prior era transition retired its predecessor: Sword & Shield replaced Sun & Moon, Sun & Moon replaced XY, and so on. The Mega Evolution series does not replace Scarlet & Violet. Both series are releasing simultaneously, each with its own set codes and independent numbering.
Collectors following "new sets" in 2026 now have two concurrent release tracks to monitor, not one. That is a structural change to how the TCG release calendar works.
The six English Mega Evolution sets in release order: ME01 Ascended Heroes (2025), ME02 Phantasmal Flames (2025), ME03 Perfect Order (2025), ME04 Chaos Rising (2026), ME05 Pitch Black (2026), and ME06 Delta Reign (English release November 6, 2026). The Japanese counterparts use a separate code sequence (M1L, M1S, M4, M5, M6, M6A) and release 6–10 weeks ahead of English editions. For the full 2026 release calendar, see the Pokémon TCG Release Schedule 2026.
The Scarlet & Violet era (2023–2025): all 13 sets in order
The SV era opened with the Scarlet & Violet base set (SV01) on March 31, 2023 and ran through Destined Rivals (SV10) on May 30, 2025. It introduced the new ex card frame (lowercase "ex," distinct from the WOTC-era "ex") and the Tera type mechanic, which applies a crystal border to certain Pokémon-ex cards.
| Set code | Set name | EN release |
|---|---|---|
| SV01 | Scarlet & Violet | March 31, 2023 |
| SV02 | Paldea Evolved | June 9, 2023 |
| SV03 | Obsidian Flames | August 11, 2023 |
| SV3.5 | Pokémon 151 | September 22, 2023 |
| SV04 | Paradox Rift | November 3, 2023 |
| SV4.5 | Paldean Fates | January 26, 2024 |
| SV05 | Temporal Forces | March 22, 2024 |
| SV06 | Twilight Masquerade | May 24, 2024 |
| SV6.5 | Shrouded Fable | August 2, 2024 |
| SV07 | Stellar Crown | September 13, 2024 |
| SV08 | Surging Sparks | November 8, 2024 |
| SV8.5 | Prismatic Evolutions | January 17, 2025 |
| SV09 / SV10 | Journey Together / Destined Rivals | March 28 / May 30, 2025 |
Sets numbered with a ".5" (SV3.5, SV4.5, SV6.5, SV8.5) are special sets released between main-numbered expansions. They use the same booster pack and Elite Trainer Box format but carry unique card pools with no Booster Display Box equivalent in most cases.
Sword & Shield through WOTC: the classic era timeline
The Sword & Shield era (November 15, 2019 through Crown Zenith on January 20, 2023) introduced V and VMAX cards, followed by VSTAR in the Lost Origin era. Sun & Moon (2017–2019) brought GX cards. XY (2013–2016) was the first era to introduce Mega Evolution to the physical TCG.
Black & White (2011–2013) gave collectors full-art cards at scale for the first time. The Diamond & Pearl and HeartGold & SoulSilver eras (2007–2011) are less pursued outside of specific rare pulls. The EX era (2003–2007) is the last era Nintendo published before handing to The Pokémon Company International, and its holofoil ex cards remain among the most recognizable in the game's history.
The WOTC era, 1998–2003, is the vintage collector's market. Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, Team Rocket, the two Gym sets, and the four Neo sets all fall here. None are reprinted and all carry a price premium on the secondary market.
Confirmed and announced for 2026
Delta Reign (ME06) is the next confirmed English release, arriving November 6, 2026. It is the sixth Mega Evolution series set and features Mega Rayquaza ex as the chase SIR card. See the Delta Reign ME06 prerelease guide for full contents and prerelease event details.
On the Japanese side, a separate 30th Celebration anniversary set (coded M6A) released September 16, 2026. No English booster set equivalent has been announced as of October 2026, per the Japanese Pokémon TCG Release Schedule 2026.
No new English Scarlet & Violet numbered sets are currently confirmed beyond Destined Rivals (SV10, May 2025). All confirmed product for late 2026 and 2027 falls under the Mega Evolution series.
Where to start if you're new to the TCG
Start with the current Mega Evolution era. ME01 through ME05 are already released and available from independent shops worldwide. ME06 Delta Reign arrives November 6, 2026.
For players, the Elite Trainer Box is the standard starting product: it includes nine booster packs, a foil promo card, 65 card sleeves, six damage counter dice, a coin, and a VSTAR marker (or equivalent for ME era sets). For collectors who want booster volume without the accessories, the Booster Bundle (six packs) offers the best pack-per-dollar entry in each set. For the Scarlet & Violet era, Surging Sparks (SV08) and Prismatic Evolutions (SV8.5) remain the highest-demand sets and are still available from third-party shops.
FAQ
How many Pokémon TCG sets are there?
More than 130 distinct English-language sets have released since 1998, including main-series expansions and special subset releases. The count depends on whether you include promos, but the expansions list at Serebii is the most up-to-date public reference.
What era is the Pokémon TCG in now (2026)?
Two eras are simultaneously in print: the Scarlet & Violet series (SV01–SV10, 2023–2025) and the Mega Evolution series (ME01–ME06, 2025–present). This dual-era structure is new for the TCG and means the 2026 release calendar carries product from both lines.
What was the first Pokémon TCG set?
Base Set, published by Wizards of the Coast in the United States, was the first English-language TCG release. The Japanese Pocket Monsters Card Game Base Set preceded it in October 1996.
Are older Pokémon TCG sets reprinted or rereleased?
No. The Pokémon Company International does not reprint out-of-print sets. Older sets are available only through the secondary market, which is why WOTC-era and EX-era products command higher prices than their original MSRPs.
What's the next confirmed Pokémon TCG set?
Delta Reign (ME06) releases November 6, 2026 in English. After that, no additional sets have been officially confirmed with specific dates as of October 2026.
Browse every current booster box and Elite Trainer Box in stock at DexHaul's Pokémon TCG Booster Boxes collection, where independent shops list Mega Evolution and Scarlet & Violet sealed product from across the globe. DexHaul is independent and unofficial, not affiliated with The Pokémon Company.
Catch 'em all
Shop the current Mega Evolution and Scarlet & Violet booster boxes from independent shops.