30 Years of Pokemon, One Chaotic Wednesday: The Australia Wave 1 Release Day Guide

Update, September 26, 2026: Wave 1 has now been and gone - it landed September 16 as planned, and Australia got it the same day as the US, Japan and Europe. As predicted below, pre-orders across every major retailer either crashed the site or sold out almost instantly. Since then, Kmart has jumped the gun on the original Wave 4 (November 6) date and briefly opened online pre-orders for the Ultra Premium Collection at $360 AUD - bots cleared that stock within minutes too. Big W and Target still haven't opened their own UPC pre-orders. See the ETB, UPC and Ditto where-to-buy guide for the current picture. The rest of this guide is kept as our original release-day writeup, useful reading if you're prepping for a future wave or just want the play-by-play of how the day went.

Last updated: 15 October 2026. Wave 4 dates have moved: the 5 Booster Tin (the 5-pack Sylveon ex / Greninja ex tin at some retailers; other retailers sell the 4-pack version on December 4) stays on November 6, the Ditto Premium Collection and Figure Collection (Mew and Mewtwo) are now November 20, and the Ultra Premium Collections are now November 13. Other Australian retailers are expected to reflect the new dates, likely due to a supplier or distributor delay. Details and the retailer emails are in the pre-orders guide.

Wave 1 of the 30th Anniversary set dropped Wednesday, September 16, and Australia got it the same day as the US, Japan and Europe. Here's everything we pulled together on stock, opening times and strategy so you weren't just rocking up blind.

📦 What's Actually Dropping September 16 (Wave 1)

Update: the Binder Collection was originally pegged for a December 4 (Wave 5) release everywhere, but Big W Australia is already shipping it out now - so unlike the rest of the world, AU collectors are getting it alongside Wave 1 rather than waiting until December. Worth grabbing now if you see it, rather than holding out.

Booster Bundles and the 10 Mini Tins are Wave 2 on October 2, the Espeon ex/Umbreon ex Battle Decks are Wave 3 on October 30, the Ultra Premium Collections (originally November 6, now November 13), Ditto Box and Figure Collection (now November 20) follow, and Wave 5 on December 4 brings a Sylveon ex Tin / Greninja ex Tin - don't confuse these with this Wave 1's Sylveon ex Box / Greninja ex Box, they're a separate product with the same characters.

For a full rundown of what's coming in later waves (October/November/December), we've got a running list in our Pokemon 30th Anniversary card list guide.

📍 Live Stock Tracking

We're pulling in real in-store inventory data as retailers report it - as of this week it's already showing early Tech Sticker Collection and Poster Collection stock quietly appearing across a bunch of Victorian Kmarts ahead of the official date, with smaller pockets in QLD, NSW and SA. Worth a check before you drive anywhere: our store inventory tracker.

For real-time restock pings as Wave 1 actually goes out the door on the 16th, set up your CardTracker alerts - a lot faster than most other communities.

🏬 Retailer-by-Retailer: Who's Got Stock, and How

Heads up before you plan your morning: expect long queues, especially at the earliest openers. We saw people camping out overnight for the recent Great Tusk Paldean Fates restock at Big W, and with a global anniversary set landing the same day everywhere, there's a good chance we see more of that this week. To be clear, we don't support or encourage camping out overnight for a card release - but it's the reality you might be walking into, so plan accordingly.

The key retailers to line up for on release day:

• Kmart - in-store only, no reservation system. Standard trading hours are roughly 7/8am-9pm depending on the store, but a handful of Kmart locations run 24-hour or midnight trading, and they allow sales at the stroke of midnight. If you've got a 24hr/midnight-trading Kmart near you, check the Kmart store locator the night before - that's realistically your earliest shot at physical stock in the country.
• Big W - in-store walk-in only at this point; their online store pre-orders are already all done. Historically inconsistent stock store-to-store (some get cases, some get nothing). Update: there's an image circulating showing Big W stating that ETBs and ex Boxes won't be available in-store this time. We haven't independently verified the image, but if it holds, the logical read is another online pre-order wave for those two products specifically - likely a reaction to the chaos around the Great Tusk Paldean Fates in-store restock. Keep your expectations low for grabbing an ETB or ex Box at Big W in person, and keep an eye on their website instead. Other Wave 1 products may still show up in-store as normal.
• Target - same walk-in model, but worth flagging: Target is currently the only major AU retailer that hasn't released online pre-orders for the 30th Anniversary yet, and they're expected to release them on or before the 16th.
• Toymate - they usually have good in-store stock levels, and set reasonable limits to share the stock around (unlike their online website!).
• Toyworld - usually quite reliable on release day, but it can vary.
• Myer / David Jones / Kidstuff - all sporadic, in-store only, no pre-order system. Worth a look if you're already out and about but not usually worth building your whole morning around. Myer for example doesn't usually release stock until later in the day.

Not usual TCG stockists, but worth knowing about for this release:

• Woolworths - expected to carry the Knock Out Collection in-store. Not a retailer that normally sells Pokemon TCG, so don't expect the rest of the Wave 1 range there, just the one product.
• Officeworks - same deal, expected to have the Knock Out Collection in-store only. Worth a look if you've got one nearby and are specifically after that product rather than an ETB or ex Box.
• 7-Eleven - also expected to stock the Knock Out Collection in-store only, same caveat as the two above.

Notably, Big W and Kmart had not released pre-orders for the Ultra Premium Collections as of this Wave 1 writeup (that's a Wave 4 product, now due November 13). Update: Kmart has since jumped ahead of that date and briefly opened online pre-orders for the UPC at $360 AUD, but bots cleared the stock within minutes. Big W and Target still haven't opened their own UPC pre-orders - see the where-to-buy guide for the current status.

The "already locked in" retailers (pre-orders completed, no in-store stock expected):

• EB Games - has active pre-orders, but at notably inflated pricing versus RRP, and you'll need EB World Plus. Full range listed.
• JB Hi-Fi - pre-orders have been rocky (listed, pulled for technical issues, relisted), expect them to sell primarily online with limited walk-in stock.

Bottom line: if you don't already have a pre-order locked in somewhere, your best shot at Wave 1 stock on the day is Kmart, Big W, Target, Toymate or Toyworld. If you're specifically after a Knock Out Collection, add Woolworths, Officeworks and 7-Eleven to your list too.

Pokemon Center AU hasn't released Australian online pre-orders yet. There's no guarantee they will, but the unique 30th Pokemon Center ETBs will be highly sought after of course.

📉 Stock Levels: Set Your Expectations Now

We've been watching pre-orders open across every retailer, big and small, in the lead-up to this release, and the pattern's been the same everywhere: every single one either had their site crash under the traffic or sold out almost instantly. Demand for this set is about as high as we've seen for anything.

What that means for release day: stock is not going to last long on shelves. Most stores simply will not have enough for everyone who lines up - the main exceptions being quieter regional stores, where the queue-to-stock ratio works a lot more in your favour.

So, to answer the question everyone's actually thinking: can you just rock up around lunchtime and grab one? Realistically - no chance, sorry, we wish the answer were different. If you want a real shot at Wave 1, you need to be there at open (or earlier, per the strategy below), not strolling in later in the day.

🎯 Which Stores to Line Up at First

If you're planning your morning around physical queueing, prioritise in this order. However - as already mentioned - discuss with staff in advance if you can, to avoid disappointment.

1. A 24hr/midnight-trading Kmart, if one exists near you - genuinely the earliest possible legal stock in the country.
2. Toymate, worth lining up at in person too.
3. Big W, next - historically less predictable but sometimes gets cases the other big-box stores don't. (See the update above though - if the ETB/ex Box rumour holds, Big W may be a much weaker bet for those two products specifically this time.)
4. Target, may have some limited stock at some stores.
5. Toyworld, same deal - your local store is worth checking for walk-in stock.
6. Regional/suburban stores over CBD/major shopping centre locations - less foot traffic, same allocation in a lot of cases. If you can drive 20-30 minutes to a quieter store instead of your nearest big shopping centre Kmart, it's often worth it.

🕵️ The Secret Play: Queue the Later Openers

Here's the strategy most people miss. While people are waiting in line at the earliest openers (think a midnight Kmart), you might want to consider skipping that queue entirely and instead be first in line at Toymate or Big W when they open instead. It sounds counterintuitive, but it's worked out better than fighting the overnight crowd for a lot of AU collectors on past drops.

🌙 EB Games Midnight Launch + Free Pikachu Promo Card

EB Games has confirmed the details on their own site (FAQ here), and it's more than just a promo card - there's an actual midnight launch event running.

The Midnight Launch

• 30 EB Games stores nationally open from 9:00 PM on Tuesday 15 September (the night before) - open to everyone, not just people with a pre-order. You can shop the EB Exclusive Pokemon 30th Range (apparel & homewares) early.
• At those 30 stores specifically, eligible 30th Celebration TCG pre-orders become available for collection from 12:01 AM Wednesday 16 September.
• All EB Games and Zing stores nationally (not just the 30) open from 8:00 AM Wednesday 16 September for pre-order collection and general shopping - so if your local store isn't one of the 30, you're not missing out on the actual release, just the midnight event itself.
• Pre-orders can only be collected from the specific store you placed them at - no transferring to a Midnight Launch store even if it's closer. 30th Celebration pre-orders are also exclusive to EB World PLUS members.

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The 30 Midnight Launch Stores, by State

• NSW: Bankstown, Burwood, Chatswood, Eastgardens, Greenhills, Hurstville, Liverpool, Macquarie Centre, Miranda, Narellan, Parramatta, Roselands, Rouse Hill, Sydney Central, Wetherill Park
• QLD: Brisbane CBD (Albert Street), Carindale, Morayfield
• VIC: Chadstone, Craigieburn, Doncaster, The Glen, Highpoint, Keysborough, Knox City, Watergardens
• SA: Tea Tree Plaza
• WA: Joondalup, Midland Gate, Mirrabooka
• ACT: None, sorry!

No Midnight Launch stores in ACT, TAS or NT this time around.

The Free Promo Card

Spend $20+ on 30th Celebration TCG products in a single transaction and you get 1 World Championships 2026 Pikachu Promo Card, while stocks last (not guaranteed - it's first come, first served). Apparel/homewares purchases don't count toward the $20. At the 30 Midnight Launch stores it's available from 12:01 AM on the 16th; at every other EB Games/Zing store, from 8:01 AM.

This is confirmed at EB Games only - no word on whether Big W, Kmart, Target, JB Hi-Fi, Toymate or Toyworld are doing anything similar, so it's worth asking staff elsewhere in case someone's matching it.

🎁 Bonus: Stack a Coles Flybuys Gift Card for EB Games Purchases

If you're spending at EB Games for this release, there's a Coles promo worth stacking on top: 20x Flybuys points on Ultimate Gift and select other gift cards, running until 15/9/26. It includes $50 and $100 cards redeemable at EB Games.

A $100 gift card earns 2,000 Flybuys points, worth $10 off your next Coles shop. You need to buy in-store to qualify for the bonus points, and it can take up to 24 hours for them to land in the Flybuys app. Full list of participating cards and retailers: OzBargain thread. For EB Games specifically, grab the Ultimate Him, Kids, Students or Teens cards.

Redemption tip: processing a stack of gift cards takes retail staff a while, so don't turn up with $1,000 worth of cards during a peak period. Pre-pay your order in advance if the store allows it, or go in during a quieter time, for a smoother transaction.

A word of caution: gift card scams (tampered or pre-used cards) are on the rise right now. Redeem your cards as soon as you can after buying them and hang onto your receipt in case anything goes wrong.

Note the promo ends 15/9, the day before Wave 1 drops - so you'd want the gift cards sorted beforehand and ready to spend at EB Games on release day.

📋 Purchase Limits & Etiquette

The usual limit is one of each product per person - so in theory you could walk out with one ETB, one Poster Collection, one Knock Out Collection, etc. But don't assume that's what you'll get everywhere: some Big W stores in particular have been known to strictly enforce a single product per person (or even per family) full stop, not one of each. Limits can also just vary store to store depending on how much stock they actually received. If you're not sure, ask staff what today's limit is before you queue rather than after.

If a store is only letting you take one product, period, the Elite Trainer Box is the strongest single pick - it's got the most packs (9) of anything in Wave 1, plus the exclusive full-art Nidorina promo you don't get anywhere else.

A few etiquette notes that matter more than usual this week given how big this release is:

• Respect the limit you're given, even if it's stricter than you expected or than a different store down the road. Sending your partner/kid/mate through separately to buy "your" second one when a per-family limit is in place isn't in the spirit of it, and puts staff in an awkward position.
• Be kind to the staff. They didn't set the limits, they're usually understaffed for a morning like this, and they're dealing with a stressed-out queue on top of their normal job. The rules are the rules - if you're told no, don't argue, just move on to the next store on your list.
• These limits exist to keep stock spread across more collectors, not to annoy you - the more people respect them, the better this works out for everyone next time too.

🎒 A Few Extra Day-of Tips

• Check your store's actual trading hours the night before, not last week - hours can shift around big releases and the "24hr Kmart" you're planning around might not be running midnight trading after all.
• Don't write a store off just because it's empty at opening. Some retailers put stock out well after doors open rather than having it ready from the first minute - Myer and David Jones in particular are known for not getting stock out to the service desk until later in the day. If a store's meant to be getting it and the shelf looks bare at 9am, it's worth a second lap rather than crossing it off entirely.
• If you're picking up a pre-order, bring ID and your confirmation email/order number - some stores won't hand it over without both.
• Check the box before you pay. Look for crushed corners, resealed tape, or anything that looks like it's been opened and put back - it's rare at major retailers but worth a 5-second glance, especially if you're grabbing the last one on the shelf.
• If you miss out on the day, don't panic-buy off eBay/Facebook Marketplace at double RRP. Prices on flipped stock are almost always highest in the first 48 hours and tend to settle down within a few weeks as more waves and restocks land - check actual AU sold prices on CardTracker.au before paying a premium.
• Bring something sturdy to carry your boxes home in if you're hitting multiple stores - ETBs and Poster Collections don't love being tossed loose in a car boot.
• Going with a mate to cover two stores is fine, but keep the per-person/per-family limits above in mind - it's not really in the spirit of things to double up through a group when a store's clearly trying to spread stock around.

🃏 Don't Sleep on Your Local Card Store

Big-box retail isn't the only game in town, and honestly it's often the least pleasant way to spend your Wednesday morning. A lot of independent AU card/hobby stores carry their own separate allocation and are far less chaotic.

Ship Nationally / Online-First

• Mind Games (m-g.com.au)
• Gamesmen (gamesmen.com.au)
• Loot Vault (lootvault.au)
• TrainerHub (trainerhub.net.au)
• PokeBox (pokebox.com.au)
• Cherry Collectables (cherrycollectables.com.au)
• Treasure Collectables (treasurecollectables.com.au)
• Cardbot (cardbot.com.au)
• Hobbykitz (hobbykitz.com.au)
• Poketrader (poketrader.com.au)
• Gamesworld (gamesworld.com.au)
• Eureka Coins (eurekacoins.com.au)

If you'd rather walk in somewhere local, here's what we found per state:

• NSW: The Gamesmen (Penshurst, Sydney), Eureka Coins (Annandale, Sydney)
• VIC: Mind Games (Melbourne CBD), Gameology (Clayton South & Brunswick), Cherry Collectables (West Melbourne), Treasure Collectables (Melbourne)
• QLD: Brokenvase Games (Sumner, Brisbane), Raptor Games (Brisbane)
• WA: Just Cards (Perth), Good Games (Joondalup / Cannington / Morley / Rockingham)
• SA: Games World SA, Good Games Adelaide (Adelaide CBD)
• TAS: Cherry Collectables (Hobart)
• ACT: Dragon Loot, Collectors Colosseum (Canberra)

Worth checking each one's socials this week for their own Wave 1 restock plans, since a lot of them post allocation info the night before rather than the morning of - and it's always worth a quick call ahead to confirm they're actually getting Wave 1 stock before you make the trip.

🐱 Also Coming: Free Mewtwo Promo Card from October 2

Starting October 2, 2026 (the same day Wave 2 drops), spend $15 or more on Pokemon TCG products at EB Games, JB Hi-Fi, Big W, Toymate or Mr Toys and you'll get a Mewtwo promo card as a gift with purchase. Worth timing a Wave 2 pickup at one of those five if you want it. (Source)

Frequently asked questions

Did Wave 1 of the Pokemon 30th Anniversary set sell out in Australia?
Yes. Every major retailer's online pre-order either crashed under demand or sold out almost instantly on and around September 16. In-store stock on the day itself went fast too, with regional and independent stores generally offering better odds than busy CBD locations.

Can I still get Wave 1 products after launch day?
Check the store inventory tracker and set up CardTracker alerts for restocks - retailers do top up stock periodically, and independent card stores often carry their own separate allocation that moves on a different schedule to the big-box chains.

Has the Ultra Premium Collection gone on sale in Australia yet?
Kmart briefly opened online pre-orders for the UPC at $360 AUD, well ahead of the original Wave 4 (November 6) date, since moved to November 13, but bots cleared the stock within minutes. Big W and Target have not yet opened their own UPC pre-orders. See the ETB, UPC and Ditto where-to-buy guide for the latest.

Is Pokemon Center Australia selling 30th Anniversary products?
Not as of writing. Pokemon Center AU's online releases have historically been rare and unpredictable, so don't plan around getting the Pokemon Center exclusive ETB directly from them.

What's coming in the next waves?
Wave 2 (October 2) brings the Booster Bundle and Mini Tins, Wave 3 (October 30) brings the Espeon ex and Umbreon ex Battle Decks, Wave 4 (originally November 6, now staggered across November 6, 13 and 20) brings the 5 Booster Tin, Ditto Premium Collection and both Ultra Premium Collections, and Wave 5 (December 4) brings the Sylveon ex Tin and Greninja ex Tin. Full details in our 30th Anniversary card list guide.

👋 About Our Communities

If you're new here, CardTracker isn't just an inventory and restock tracker - it's a genuine collector community across WhatsApp, Telegram, Discord and Reddit. The whole point is a sustainable environment where members can actually find products at or near RRP, and trade, buy and sell fairly with each other - genuine enthusiasts over resellers, always. Restock and market-deal alerts are broken down by state, by set, and by store, so you're only getting pinged for what you actually care about.

Join us: CardTracker.au/alerts

Good luck out there Wednesday, and may the shelves be ever in your favour! 🎉

Store hours, online ordering rollout, and stock allocation all vary significantly by location and can change close to release - always double-check your specific local store before heading out. Pricing listed is estimated AU RRP and may vary by retailer.