Pokemon TCG new set release calendar: When the newest Pokemon TCG sets are being released

The Pokemon Trading Card Game (TCG) is one of the most popular card games in the world, leaving fans to always want to know when the latest new set is coming out. Sets usually release around four times a year, with extra smaller sets also adding to the offering from time-to-time.

To save you from having to wonder about when the next new TCG set is coming out, we've put together this handy guide to be able to keep you updated. This guide will only include English prints of sets. Japanese sets are not included.

Information on exact details on new Pokemon TCG sets usually becomes available around three to four months out from release date.

This could be one of the best sets in Pokemon TCG history, the new set featuring the original 151 Pokemon from the Kanto region. These Pokemon are numbered through the set as they are ordered in the original Pokedex.

Whilst it may not be the most earth-shattering set from a competitive standpoint, collectors are going to have a field day with 151.

The Japanese version of the set has already shown that it will be highly sought after. A couple of the biggest chase cards from the set, including the Illustration Rare Mew ex, have been cut for promos in English, which will bring down the set chase a bit, but it will still be one of the best sets of all time.

This set will also see the return of Kadabra to the Pokemon TCG. It's the first time in nearly 20 years that the Pokemon has been printed in a TCG set.

The fourth full set in the Scarlet & Violet era of the Pokemon TCG, Paradox Rift will likely change a whole host of things about the meta game. It will add Future and Ancient Pokemon to the TCG for the first time. These cards will have additional support, much like the Rapid Strike and Fusion Strike cards of sets gone by.

Gholdengo ex is the big hype card from this set when it comes to the competitive scene. Its card will read:

Ability: Bonus Coin
Once during your turn, you may draw a card. If this Pokémon is in the Active Spot, you may draw 2 cards instead.

[M] Gold Rush: 50x damage. Discard any number of Basic Energy cards from your hand. This attack does 50 damage for each card you discarded in this way.

One metal energy to activate that attack makes it incredibly useful, especially in the early-to-mid game. New Garchomp ex and Mewtwo ex may also break into the TCG competitive scene after this set releases.

Between main sets, we're expecting to have another mini set release in early 2024. This set has not got a name yet, nor has it got a fully fleshed out card list. That being said, we still have details on a few cards that we can expect to see.

Scovillain ex and Grafaiai ex are likely to come in this set, along with a Victini ex. This set will be comprised of cards cut from Paradox Rift, and any cards that are released in the Japanese Shiny Treasure set, which is releasing in November 2023.

This set should be approximately 80 cards big before secret rare cards, making it much smaller than other sets coming out soon.

Whilst we may not have any idea what cards are coming with the fifth main set from the Scarlet & Violet era, we know one massive fact about this set. ACE SPEC cards are making a return to the Pokemon TCG!

Not seen since the Black and White era, ACE SPEC cards are powerful item cards that are extremely limited in decks. Players are only allowed to use one ACE SPEC card in their deck at any given time. This feature works incredibly similar to the Prism Star cards that we saw during Sun and Moon as well as Radiant Pokemon during Sword and Shield.

Only 13 ACE SPEC cards were printed during the initial run of the mechanic, including Computer Search, Scoop Up Cyclone and Master Ball cards. These may now return with ACE SPEC coming back to the Pokemon TCG with this new set.

Charizard is BACK, but unfortunately, it's mid. Prior to the release of the Obsidian Flames expansion, the Charizard ex chase card was hyped beyond belief. It was touted to be able to change the meta but it just simply didn't. Even the rarer versions of the card couldn't hold their value longer than a week or so.

That being said, Obsidian Flames is still a super fun set and Charizard is admittedly fun to play when it works. Tera forms make Pokemon ex even more stylized than they have been before.

Outside of Charizard, the only other really usable card from the set is Pidgeot ex, which allows players to accelerate the use of their decks.

Paldea Evolved introduced the first true chase card of the Scarlet & Violet era of the Pokemon TCG. Iono, an incredible draw supporter card, came in this set, along with two secret rare versions. Iono is a gym leader in Scarlet & Violet, who is also a streamer and influencer in the Pokemon universe.

That made her an incredibly exciting card to chase, and it still managed to surpass all expectations, an ungraded version of Iono's Illustration Rare will set you back at least $100.

As with most base sets from Pokemon TCG eras, there isn't much to be reckoned with from Scarlet & Violet base set. The Pokemon Company always seems to have to reset the power curve of the TCG with base sets, but with the latter half of Sword and Shield cards still legal, it'll take some time before this actually comes to fruition.

As normal, a lot of the new regional Pokemon from Paldea feature in the base set. The legendary Miraidon and Koraidon both feature. Miraidon has broken into the competitive format with Raikou ex support.

The final set of the Sword and Shield era, Crown Zenith was an epic conclusion to a fantastic run of Pokemon TCG sets. The 70-card Galarian Gallery subset within this set made it a brilliant expansion. Most of the expensive cards from this set are part of the GG subset.

That includes the Giratina VStar alternate illustration rare, which has risen to the top of the competitive meta since the 2023 World Championship.

Silver Tempest added Lugia V and VStar to the Pokemon TCG but in terms of effective cards, that's about it. Judge, which is a long-standing Pokemon Supporter card, also returned in Silver Tempest but has not been used as much as it has historically.

The Lost Zone returned with Lost Origin and with it, the meta changed completely. Comfey, Cramorant and Sableye have all been staples in the Pokemon TCG since this set.

Giratina V and Giratina VStar have both been used extensively too. This set also included a subset, called the Trainer Gallery, with 30 extra cards inside for collectors to chase.

A mini-set to bridge the gap between Astral Radiance and Lost Origin, Pokemon GO TCG still had some solid additions to the ecosystem. Radiant Charizard came in this set, along with PokeStop and many other Pokemon Go-themed cards.

Professor's Research also featured here, as one of the most impactful supporter cards that can be used in many different decks.

Astral Radiance made many decks better with its release. It brought Radiant Greninja, Roxanne, Path to the Peak and Double Turbo Energy to the game.

All four of those cards became staples in various different decklists. They help further the deck-building capabilities of players around the world.