EB Games and JB Hi-Fi have switched on Australian pre-orders for the Pokemon TCG: 30th Celebration expansion, covering the Elite Trainer Box, mini tins, booster bundles and the rest of the line-up. The set releases on 16 September 2026, and for the first time in the card game's history it launches the same day worldwide instead of Japan getting it months early.

This one is stacked. Every single card in the set is foil, right down to the basic Energy cards. There's a brand-new rarity called Futuristic rare, debuting with Mewtwo and Mew cards illustrated by Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN. Every booster pack also includes one of 30 different Pikachu cards, each drawn by a different artist, and the set brings back 30 classic cards from across three decades, including the Base Set Charizard that started the whole playground frenzy in the first place.

The 16 September date is the first wave. More products in the range roll out through October and into November, so this will be on shelves, and disappearing off them, right through to Christmas.

If you've tried to buy Pokemon cards for a birthday lately, you know why the pre-order matters. The last few big sets have been gone within hours of launch, and restocks turn into a hunt. With four kids in this house, I've lived it.