Pokémon TCG Sets in Order: Every Era to 2026

What are all the Pokémon TCG sets in order?

Oldest first: Wizards of the Coast (1999 to 2003), EX (2003 to 2007), Diamond & Pearl (2007 to 2008), Platinum (2009), HeartGold & SoulSilver (2010 to 2011), Black & White (2011 to 2013), XY (2014 to 2016), Sun & Moon (2017 to 2019), Sword & Shield (2020 to 2023), Scarlet & Violet (2023 to 2025) and Mega Evolution (2025 onwards).

The counts add up to Serebii's 128. They leave out promo sets, trainer kits, McDonald's promotions and the mobile game. Collectors draw era boundaries slightly differently, so this guide follows the series names in TCGdex's database.

How many Pokémon TCG sets are there?

Serebii's English set list had 128 expansions on 17 October 2026, of which 127 are released and Delta Reign is still to come. That list leaves out promo sets, starter and trainer kits, and three Wizards-era sets that TCGdex includes: Base Set 2, Southern Islands and Legendary Collection. Count those too and the total is a little higher.

What is the newest Pokémon TCG set?

The newest set on sale is 30th Celebration, released in the UK on 16 September 2026, with further products arriving until 4 December. Next is Delta Reign on 6 November 2026, with prerelease events from 24 October. Both belong to the Mega Evolution era, which began with Mega Evolution in October 2025 in the UK.

Delta Reign is announced, not released, so its contents can still change. Our prerelease guide explains the events before launch day. For every upcoming date we can confirm, use the release calendar.

What are the Scarlet & Violet sets in order?

Scarlet & Violet ran from March 2023 to July 2025 and has 16 sets: ten main sets and six special sets. It began with Scarlet & Violet and ended with the Black Bolt and White Flare pair, which came out together on 18 July 2025. Mega Evolution followed in October 2025.

What are the sets from EX to Sword & Shield in order?

This table lists every set on Serebii's English list for each era from EX to Sword & Shield, oldest first, cross-checked against TCGdex's series data. For the Wizards of the Coast sets, the full dated list is in our vintage guide.

Some of these are small special sets that sit between main releases. TCGdex files Champion's Path, Shining Fates, Pokémon GO, Crown Zenith, Dragon Majesty and Shining Legends under ".5" ids, and Hidden Fates as sm115, between sm11 and sm12. Detective Pikachu, Double Crisis and Dragon Vault are small sets of their own.

What is the difference between a main set and a special set?

A main set is a full numbered expansion; a special set is a themed set released between main sets. Databases show it in the id: TCGdex files Scarlet & Violet—151 as sv03.5, Prismatic Evolutions as sv08.5 and Ascended Heroes as me02.5. Several special sets have no booster box.

In our set guides, 151, Prismatic Evolutions, Ascended Heroes, Black Bolt, White Flare and 30th Celebration all have no booster box; packs only come inside other products.

Our product types guide explains what is in a booster box, a booster bundle and an Elite Trainer Box, and each set guide lists which products that set actually has.

What does each era change in how the cards work?

Most eras after the Wizards sets introduced a headline card type with its own rules. The best-known of them give up extra Prize cards when Knocked Out. The first table names the headline type of each era, and the list below picks out the ones collectors mention most.

• Pokémon-ex (EX Ruby & Sapphire, 2003): Bulbapedia says these first appeared in that set, and the opponent takes two Prize cards when one is Knocked Out.
• Pokémon-EX (Next Destinies, 2012): the Black & White-era type, which again gives up two Prize cards.
• Pokémon-GX (Sun & Moon, 2017): each player can use only one GX attack per game. TAG TEAM cards, which give up three Prize cards, followed in Team Up.
• Pokémon V and VMAX (Sword & Shield, 2020): V cards are Basic Pokémon with two Prize cards; VMAX evolve from them and give up three.
• Pokémon ex and Tera Pokémon ex (Scarlet & Violet, 2023): these replaced V, VMAX and the other V-style cards.
• Mega Pokémon ex (Mega Evolution, 2025): they evolve from a regular Pokémon and give up three Prize cards.

These are the headline types, not the full rules. The rarity ladder is a separate matter: see Pokémon card rarities explained.

Why can the UK release date differ from the US date?

Most modern sets launch on the same day worldwide, but not always. Mega Evolution was due on 26 September 2025 and arrived in the UK on 10 October 2025 after The Pokémon Company International moved the launch for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, citing product delivery problems. Databases such as Serebii and TCGdex list the 26 September date.

So use a UK source when you plan a purchase. Every set guide shows the UK date, and the release calendar lists upcoming products with their UK dates.

How do I find out which set a card is from?

Check the set symbol and the card number at the bottom of the card, then match both in a card database. Our guide to what set your Pokémon card is from covers symbols, set codes and the cards that have none, and how to read a Pokémon card explains the rest of the layout.

Where can I buy cards from these sets?

Browse our sets hub for the sets we stock, or search the singles range by card name. Every single is photographed as sold, so the card in the photo is the card you get. We list graded slabs separately, and sealed product on the sealed page.

If you have older cards from any of these eras to sell, our sell your cards page has the form.