February 27, 2026 marks 30 years of Pokémon. Thirty years to the day since Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green launched in Japan on February 27, 1996, on the Game Boy. What started as a video game designed by Satoshi Tajiri has become the most profitable entertainment franchise in history, with over $150 billion in cumulative revenue, surpassing Star Wars, Marvel, and Mickey Mouse.
For this historic anniversary, The Pokémon Company has planned a full year of celebrations: a Super Bowl commercial, the first-ever LEGO Pokémon sets, new trading card expansions, in-store events worldwide, and a highly anticipated Pokémon Presents. Here is everything you need to know.
The kickoff: Pokémon at Super Bowl LX
The celebrations officially kicked off on February 8, 2026 with a commercial aired during Super Bowl LX, the most-watched television event in the United States. The spot, titled "What's Your Favorite?", features a lineup of international celebrities — Lady Gaga, Trevor Noah, Jisoo (BLACKPINK), Charles Leclerc (F1), Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona) and others — each sharing their favorite Pokémon.
This campaign launched a year-long interactive program. In Pokémon GO, which also celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026, a "What's Your Favorite?" feature was added to the AR Snapshot mode, allowing players to take photos with any Pokémon in the game, even those not yet caught.
The Pokémon Presents on February 27
The most anticipated event of the anniversary is undoubtedly the Pokémon Presents on February 27, 2026, streaming live on YouTube at 9:00 AM ET. These video presentations are traditionally when The Pokémon Company unveils its most important announcements.
For this 30th anniversary, expectations are particularly high. Here is what is expected or confirmed:
- Pokémon Generation 10 — This is the most persistent rumor. Four years after Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, a new generation is very likely. Leaks suggest games called Pokémon Wind & Waves, exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring a world centered on island exploration and ocean depths.
- Pokémon Champions — The new official competitive battle simulator, where future VGC tournaments will take place. Confirmed for 2026 but without a specific release date.
- Pokémon Pokopia — A life simulation game where the player develops a sanctuary for Pokémon, announced for March 5, 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2.
- Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Remasters — Switch 2 ports with Pokémon Home compatibility are reportedly in the works according to leaks.
LEGO x Pokémon: a historic partnership
This is perhaps the most anticipated collaboration of the year. After years of rumors, LEGO and The Pokémon Company officially announced on January 12, 2026 the very first LEGO Pokémon sets, available for purchase on February 27, 2026, Pokémon Day.
Three sets designed for adults were revealed:
| Set | Pieces | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eevee (72151) | 587 | $59.99 | Fully articulated |
| Pikachu and Poké Ball (72152) | 2,050 | — | Lightning bolt base, Pikachu emerging from its Poké Ball |
| Venusaur, Charizard & Blastoise (72153) | 6,838 | $649.99 | Over 50 cm tall, the Kanto starter trio |
The 6,838-piece Kanto trio set is the true collector's piece. Standing 50 cm tall, 53 cm wide, and 35 cm deep, it is one of the largest LEGO sets ever produced. A bonus gift — the Kanto Badge Collection (40892) — will be included free with any purchase of this set between February 27 and March 8, 2026.
Pokémon TCG: the 2026 calendar
2026 is a major year for the Pokémon Trading Card Game, with the return of Mega Evolutions and a series of ambitious expansions.
Mega Evolution — Ascended Heroes (January 30, 2026)
The first major expansion of 2026 was released on January 30. With over 290 cards, it marks the return of Mega Evolution ex Pokémon alongside Stellar Terastal ex Pokémon. Headline cards include Mega Dragonite ex, and the expansion features over 30 cards with special illustrations.
Pokémon Day 30th Anniversary Box (January 30, 2026)
Released alongside it, this commemorative box contains 3 booster packs, a holographic Pikachu promo card stamped "Pokémon Day 2026 — 30 Years", and a collector metal coin featuring the 30th anniversary logo. On February 27, participating official Pokémon Leagues will also distribute a special anniversary Bulbasaur Mirror Holofoil promo card.
Upcoming expansions
| Expansion | Release date | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Ascended Heroes | January 30, 2026 | Mega Evolutions + Stellar Terastal |
| Perfect Order | March 27, 2026 | Mega Evolution continuation |
| Chaos Rising | May 22, 2026 | To be confirmed |
The return of Mega Evolutions in the TCG has reignited massive excitement, fueled by the continued success of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the video game that put Mega Evolutions back at the center of the Pokémon universe.
Worldwide events: Day Out & Night Out
The Pokémon Company International has announced a series of in-person events running throughout 2026 around the world, in two formats:
- Pokémon Day Out — Family-friendly daytime events with interactive activities and entertainment for all ages.
- Pokémon Night Out — Evening events exclusively for adult fans, those who grew up with the franchise. Immersive experiences and surprises on the agenda.
Participating official Pokémon Leagues will host "Day Out" and "Night Out" events around February 27. Nintendo events at the New York and San Francisco stores are also confirmed for the big day.
Collaborations and merchandise
Beyond games and cards, Pokémon's 30th anniversary brings major collaborations in the fashion and lifestyle space:
- Uniqlo — A clothing collection featuring artwork inspired by the original games, already announced.
- Adidas x Pokémon — A range of sneakers and apparel in Pokémon colors, planned for September 2026, with both kids' and adults' lines.
- McDonald's — The Happy Meal collaboration with 4-card random booster packs continues to generate buzz, fueling unboxing trends on social media.
Impact on the vintage card market
For vintage Pokémon card collectors, the 30th anniversary arrives in an extremely favorable context. Several signals are converging:
Key market figures in early 2026:
- Vintage WOTC cards: up 30 to 50% ahead of the anniversary
- Pikachu Illustrator PSA 10: sold for $16.5 million (all-time record, our full article)
- Charizard Shadowless PSA 10: $550,000 in December 2025 (price history)
- Overall Pokémon card market value: +830% since March 2020
The massive media coverage of the 30th anniversary — Super Bowl, LEGO, new games — is attracting new collectors and awakening the nostalgia of an entire generation. Historically, major Pokémon anniversaries are accompanied by increased interest and rising prices for vintage cards, particularly rare pieces graded in high condition.
At the same time, the modern card market is experiencing a 20 to 50% correction on recent products, due to massive overproduction by The Pokémon Company (10.2 billion cards printed in 2025). The market is refocusing on fundamentals: authentic rarity, condition, and limited-print pieces. For serious collectors, this is a return to a healthier market driven by passion rather than speculation. Check out our guide to investing in Pokémon cards in 2026 for a deeper dive.
What should you watch for?
If you are a collector or investor, here are the key areas to monitor in 2026:
- High-quality vintage WOTC cards — PSA 9 and 10 grades from the Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, and Team Rocket expansions (our Wizard block guide) will continue to appreciate.
- Sealed products — Booster packs and sealed boxes from vintage series remain one of the best long-term investments.
- Anniversary promo cards — The limited-edition Pikachu and Bulbasaur "Pokémon Day 2026" cards will become sought-after collectibles.
- Professional certification — Get your valuable cards graded before the surge in demand tied to the 30th anniversary. PSA turnaround times always increase during periods of high demand.
Timeline: 30 years of history in key dates
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Release of Pokémon Red & Green (Japan) — Game Boy |
| 1996 | Launch of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (Japan) |
| 1997 | Pokémon anime debuts in Japan |
| 1998 | Pokémon Red & Blue launch in the US — Pokémania begins |
| 1999 | The TCG arrives in the West (Wizards of the Coast) — the Wizard Block begins |
| 1999 | First Pokémon movie — $163 million at the US box office |
| 2006 | Pokémon Diamond & Pearl — Generation 4 |
| 2013 | Pokémon X & Y — Introduction of Mega Evolutions |
| 2016 | Pokémon GO — Worldwide phenomenon, 500 million downloads |
| 2021 | Card market boom — Logan Paul buys the Pikachu Illustrator for $5.3M |
| 2026 | 30th anniversary — Pikachu Illustrator sold for $16.5M, LEGO, Gen 10 expected |
In 30 years, Pokémon has grown from a Game Boy game into a global cultural franchise spanning video games, trading cards, animation, film, fashion, and even alternative investments. And the most remarkable thing is that the franchise has never been more popular than it is right now.