2026 marked the 30th day of Pokémon, and if you’ve been pursuing the Trading Card Game country lately, you cognize things are getting busy.
We conscionable finished the chaos of the archetypal question of First Partner collection, and the Pokémon Company is already moving connected to the adjacent set.
If you missed retired connected Series 1 backmost successful March, don't interest excessively much. Series 2 is connected the way, and it shifts the spotlight to immoderate of the champion starters successful the franchise.

First Partner Illustration Collection (Series 2)
These First Partner collections aren't a afloat enlargement set; it’s a motion to that archetypal large determination you made connected your travel - your First Partner Pokémon! These collections are small, curated bid meant for show oregon circumstantial pulls. Series 2 takes america backmost to Johto, Unova, and Galar region, with immoderate acquainted faces making an appearance.
The prima of the postulation is the peculiar promo battalion that celebrates the enslaved betwixt Trainer and Pokémon. This azygous battalion contains 3 of 9 illustration rare-style promo cards consisting of stunning artwork of beloved archetypal spouse Pokémon.
For Trainers who started their travel successful Johto connected the Game Boy, you’ll privation to reunite with Totodile, Chikorita, and Cyndaquil. Next, we leap crossed the pond to Generation 5 with Tepig, Snivy, and Oshawott. Finally, we find ourselves successful Galar with Sobble, Scorbunny, and Grookey. It's a random pull, truthful you'll request a minimum of 3 sets if you privation to cod 'em all.
But that’s not everything! Inside each box, alongside the peculiar promo pack, you besides get 2 modular Booster Packs from Perfect Order and Chaos Rising, which is simply a bully mode to food for immoderate modern hits portion you’re astatine it. Last, but surely not least, you’ll get a sticker expanse that features the starters from these generations. I cognize you’re buying these for the stickers, don’t prevarication to me.
Release Date and Where to Preorder
The First Partner Illustration Collection—Series 2 is acceptable to merchandise connected June 19, 2026. Expect to wage astir $14.99 USD (£14.99 successful the UK). You tin find these astatine the accustomed spots, but support an oculus connected banal levels. The archetypal bid went fast.
Retailers person been deed oregon miss lately with day stock. Some stores get flooded, portion others look to merchantability retired earlier the doors adjacent open. You’ll privation to cheque the accustomed spots, but support a adjacent oculus connected the smaller hobby shops too.
US Retailers to Watch
Unsurprisingly, Pokémon Center US is usually the archetypal spot to spell live. It typically has a "Queue" strategy successful spot for large releases now. It tin beryllium annoying, but it’s the astir reliable mode to get a container astatine the existent retail price. Pre-orders aren't unrecorded yet, truthful cheque backmost later!
Target and Best Buy are large options for section pickup. If you can't get a pre-order anyplace online, it’s worthy checking the carnal shelves astatine these 2 retailers connected merchandise morning.
Finally, if you miss the archetypal retail drop, TCGplayer is simply a reputable third-party reseller. Just beryllium cautious with the pricing present arsenic it fluctuates based connected demand.

First Partner Illustration Collection (Series 2)
UK Retailers to Watch
Much similar the US version, Pokémon Center UK is your safest stake for MSRP.
Chaos Cards and Magic Madhouse are 2 dense hitters for UK hobbyists. They often person reward programs, truthful if you bargain a batch of cards, cheque your points earlier you pay.
Finally, Smyths Toys is amazingly bully for TCG stock. They don't ever bash online pre-orders for these smaller boxes, but they usually person plentifulness of banal in-store connected merchandise day.
The question you mightiness person present is ‘will I adjacent beryllium capable to get my hands connected 1 of these?”. Because Series 1 focused connected the Gen 1 starters (Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle), the hype was disconnected the charts. Notably, GameStop faced disapproval from fans for pricing a $15 container astatine $50.
But determination is immoderate bully quality here. Resellers usually swarm for Gen 1 oregon Gen 3 nostalgia. Since Series 2 skips both, you mightiness really person a warring accidental to bargain these astatine a mean price. If you’re inactive hunting for Series 1, cheque the shelves of overpriced retailers; they whitethorn yet driblet Series 1 prices present that the hype has shifted.
How Many Series Are Left?
We’ve had Series 1 (Gens 1, 4, 7) and present we person Series 2 (Gens 2, 5, 8).
While a Series 3 hasn’t been officially announced, it’s all-but-guaranteed to circular retired the remaining starters. We tin expect to spot the First Partner Pokémon from Gen 3 (Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip), Gen 6 (Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie), and Gen 9 (Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly). This is apt to driblet successful Fall 2026.
Slightly much speculative, but determination is simply a batch of chatter astir a imaginable 4th bid successful Winter 2026. With Pokémon Winds and Waves launching successful 2027, this would beryllium the cleanable clip to driblet a teaser acceptable for the Generation 10 starters.
What’s Coming Next for the Pokémon TCG?
The biggest enlargement connected the skyline is Chaos Rising, acceptable to merchandise connected May 22, 2026. Mega Greninja ex is conscionable 1 of the caller Mega Evolution Pokémon ex that tin beryllium recovered successful this immense upcoming expansion. This enlargement features implicit 120 cards, including much than 20 Trainer cards and implicit 35 cards with peculiar illustrations of some Pokémon and Trainers.
The 30th Anniversary Pokemon Set is besides acceptable to merchandise successful 2026. While we lone saw a teaser successful February's Pokémon Presents livestream, it’s apt that fan-favourites similar Pikachu, Charizard, Palkia, and much volition each beryllium getting reprints, akin to the 25th Anniversary Celebrations set.
But for now, people your calendars for June 19 and the merchandise of First Partner Illustration Collection—Series 2. Whether you’re a Johto long-time fan, oregon a Galar newcomer, this brand-new postulation is simply a amusive mode for everyone to observe 30 years of Pokémon without (hopefully) breaking the bank.
Sara Heritage is simply a writer and freelance contributor, with 8 years of acquisition successful gaming journalism. When she's not gaming, you’ll astir apt find her gathering yet different LEGO acceptable I perfectly did not request (yes, I’ve got thoughts connected the Pokémon LEGO).

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