Pokemon 30th Celebration Set: Australia Pre-Orders

The Pokemon Company officially revealed the 30th Celebration expansion, and it turned out to be one of the most significant TCG releases in years. It was the first Pokemon TCG expansion to launch with a simultaneously coordinated global release, meaning Australian collectors got access on the same day as everyone else: September 16, 2026.

Last updated: 15 October 2026. Wave 4 release 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. Toymate and EB Games have confirmed the new dates and other Australian retailers are expected to follow, likely because of a supplier or distributor delay. See the pre-orders guide for the full detail.

Update, September 26, 2026: That release date has now passed. Wave 1 pre-orders crashed sites or sold out almost instantly at every major Australian retailer. Kmart has since jumped ahead of its original Wave 4 date of November 6 (since moved to November 13 for the UPC) and briefly opened online pre-orders for the Ultra Premium Collection at $360 AUD, though bots cleared that stock within minutes too. Big W and Target have not yet opened their own UPC pre-orders, and Pokemon Center AU still has not released an Australian pre-order for anything in this set. See the ETB, UPC and Ditto where-to-buy guide for the current retailer-by-retailer picture, and CardTracker's prices Australia guide for what everything actually costs at each store.

Here's everything confirmed about the set itself, plus where things stand for Australian buyers now.

What's in the 30th Celebration Set?

This isn't a standard expansion. The 30th Celebration set contains around 150 cards after secret rares, and every single card in the set is foil. Each booster pack includes five foil cards, one foil Basic Energy, and a Pokemon TCG Live code card.

Every Pack Contains a Pikachu

There are 30 unique Pikachu cards in the set, each illustrated by a different artist. Every booster pack is guaranteed to include one of these Pikachu cards. They carry additional set numbering to indicate which of the 30 designs you pulled. If you're a Pikachu collector, this is the set that's going to dominate your want list.

Two of these Pikachu cards have already been revealed as powerful Pikachu ex cards. Pikachu ex 107 can use Pika-Pika Parade to search through the deck for any number of basic Pokemon and fill up the bench. Pikachu ex 109 uses Zip-Zap Frenzy to attach any number of basic energy cards from your hand to your Pokemon however you like. Both also pack a 200-damage attack at a cost of three energy. These are the most competitively relevant Pikachu cards we've seen since Pikachu & Zekrom-GX in 2019.

New Futuristic Rare Rarity

The set introduces a brand new card rarity called Futuristic Rare. These cards feature vibrant artwork by renowned Japanese artist YOSHIROTTEN. According to The Pokemon Company, each Futuristic Rare "will depict Pokemon in striking artwork evocative of hope toward an unknown future." Mewtwo ex and Mew ex have been revealed as the first two Futuristic Rare cards, and they feature a distinctive swirling energy art style that's completely unlike anything we've seen in the TCG before.

30 Classic Card Reprints

Like the original Celebrations set from 2021, this expansion brings back 30 classic Pokemon cards from across the game's history. The set features every single Legendary Pokemon and includes the famous classic Charizard by original artist Mitsuhiro Arita. Each classic card gets a stunning foil treatment and a "30" Pikachu stamp.

One important note for competitive players: these classic reprints are not legal for Standard format play, though they are eligible in formats that allow the original prints.

Daytime and Nighttime Artwork

Beyond the Pikachu cards, classic reprints, and Futuristic Rares, the set's new cards depict Pokemon during different moments throughout daytime and nighttime. This gives the expansion a cohesive visual identity that ties together the past and future of the franchise.

More Products Released After Launch

September 16 was just the start. The confirmed lineup rolls out across five waves running from September through December 2026:

• Wave 1 (September 16): Elite Trainer Box, Pokemon Center ETB, Knock Out Collection, Poster Collection, Tech Sticker Collections, Sylveon ex Box, Greninja ex Box, plus the Binder Collection (shipped early in Australia via Big W, ahead of its official Wave 5 slot)
• Wave 2 (October 2): Booster Bundle, Mini Tins (10 artwork variants)
• Wave 3 (October 30): Battle Decks featuring Espeon ex and Umbreon ex
• Wave 4 (November 6, 13 and 20): 5 Booster Tin (November 6); Ditto Premium Collection and Figure Collection (Mew and Mewtwo) (November 20, moved from November 6); Ultra Premium Collection Day and Night (November 13; moved from November 6)
• Wave 5 (December 4): Sylveon ex Tin, Greninja ex Tin

This staggered release schedule means there are multiple waves of product to chase across nearly three months. If you missed the initial launch, there are more opportunities to pick up 30th Celebration products as later waves land - see the full 30th Anniversary card list guide for every product and pack count.

Where to Pre-Order in Australia

Wave 1 pre-orders sold out or crashed sites at every major Australian retailer back on September 16. Here is where things stand now for later waves and restocks:

Major Retailers

• EB Games carries the full 30th Celebration range, though its initial pricing on some Wave 1 products and the UPC ran well above expected RRP before being revised down after public backlash - see CardTracker's prices Australia guide for the full breakdown.
• JB Hi-Fi sold through its Wave 1 pre-order allocation on release day. Watch for restocks and listings ahead of Waves 2 through 5.
• Kmart has opened (and sold out, largely to bots) an online pre-order for the Ultra Premium Collection at $360 AUD, well ahead of its original Wave 4 date of November 6 (since moved to November 13 for the UPC).
• Big W sold out its Wave 1 online pre-orders and has not yet opened a UPC pre-order. It did ship the Binder Collection early alongside Wave 1 rather than waiting for its official Wave 5 slot.
• Target has not yet opened its own UPC pre-order either.

For live, current status across every retailer CardTracker tracks, check the retailer directory and the stock tracker, or see the dedicated ETB, UPC and Ditto where-to-buy guide.

Live eBay Deals

Sponsored · #ad

SAVE $164.55

Pokemon TCG: 30th Celebration Figure Collection - Mewtwo - PRE SALE

$145.75 Market $306.12

Buy Now on eBay

SAVE $164.55

Pokemon TCG: 30th Celebration Figure Collection - Mew - PRE SALE

$145.75 Market $306.12

Buy Now on eBay

SAVE $161.30

PRESALE Pokemon TCG 30th Celebration Figure Collection Mewtwo Sealed English

$149.00 Market $303.71

Buy Now on eBay

Local Game Stores

Your local game store (LGS) is often the best option for pre-ordering Pokemon TCG products in Australia. Independent stores often receive allocation directly from distributors and may offer bundle deals or loyalty discounts. Supporting local shops also helps keep the Australian TCG community healthy.

eBay Australia

The secondary market on eBay is active with both individual singles and sealed products. Prices can vary wildly, especially in the weeks immediately after a wave lands. Buying from an Australian-based eBay seller means GST is already included in the price, the same as buying from a retailer - it only becomes an extra cost on top if you import directly from an overseas seller (Japan or the US, for example).

This is where CardTracker.au becomes essential. CardTracker monitors eBay Australia in real time to surface below-market deals on Pokemon TCG products. Every listing shows the total price including shipping, estimated market value, and your exact savings percentage, so you can spot genuine deals instantly instead of scrolling through hundreds of overpriced listings.

How CardTracker.au Helps You Secure 30th Celebration Deals

When the 30th Celebration set drops in September, the secondary market is going to move fast. Scalping concerns are already circulating in the community, and high-demand sets like this tend to see inflated prices at launch. Here's how CardTracker.au's tools give Australian collectors an edge:

Real-Time Deal Alerts

CardTracker's deal tracker scans eBay Australia continuously for underpriced Buy It Now listings and undervalued auctions ending soon. When a 30th Celebration booster box or single card appears below market price, you'll see it before the broader market catches on.

Seller Deals for Combined Shipping

The Seller Deals feature aggregates below-market items from the same eBay seller. If one seller has a Futuristic Rare Mewtwo, a couple of Pikachu cards, and a sealed booster bundle all listed under market value, CardTracker flags the opportunity. You save on the cards themselves and consolidate shipping into one cost instead of paying multiple shipping fees.

ETB and Sealed Product Market Tracking

CardTracker's market tracker provides historical price charts and real-time inventory data for Elite Trainer Boxes and other sealed products. When the 30th Celebration ETBs inevitably see wild price swings post-launch, you'll have the data to buy at the right time instead of paying peak-hype prices.

Restock Notifications

Missed the initial drop? CardTracker's restock tracker pings you when new inventory appears. Retailers and eBay sellers regularly restock popular products in the weeks after launch, and being first to know makes all the difference.

Community and Market Insights

CardTracker also publishes market insights with set reviews, price predictions, and allocation analysis for Australian retailers. Join the Discord community to connect with other Aussie collectors, share pull rates, and coordinate group buys.

Why This Set Will Be Hard to Get

Multiple outlets have flagged that the 30th Celebration set will likely face significant supply pressure. Here's why:

It's the first simultaneous global launch. Every market gets access on the same day, which means global demand hits all at once rather than staggering across regions.

Every card is foil. All-foil sets are more expensive to produce, which typically means lower print runs compared to standard expansions.

30 Pikachu chase cards. Pikachu is the most collected Pokemon in the TCG. Having 30 unique Pikachu cards, each by a different artist, creates an enormous collector-driven demand layer on top of the usual player demand.

Scalping history. The original Celebrations set in 2021 was plagued by scalping and stock shortages. Community discussions are already raising concerns about history repeating.

The best strategy for Australian collectors: pre-order early through a trusted retailer, and set up alerts on CardTracker.au to catch any eBay deals that slip through the cracks once products start shipping.

What to Do Right Now

Wave 1 has already launched and sold out almost everywhere. Here's a practical checklist for what's left:

1. Set up CardTracker alerts for restocks on Wave 1 products and for the next pre-order window on the Ultra Premium Collection, Ditto Premium Collection and Battle Decks
2. Check the retailer directory and stock tracker before assuming a product is unavailable - stock and pre-order windows open unevenly across Big W, Kmart, Target, JB Hi-Fi and EB Games
3. Don't plan around Pokemon Center Australia for the Pokemon Center exclusive ETB - its online drops have historically been rare and unpredictable
4. Watch for card reveals as the remaining waves land, since not every card in the roughly 150-card set has been shown yet
5. Set a budget across the remaining waves (October 2, October 30, November 6, 13 and 20, and December 4) rather than spending it all chasing Wave 1 restocks

The 30th Celebration set is a landmark release. With the right preparation and the right tools, Australian collectors can navigate the remaining waves without overpaying.

Frequently asked questions

Has the Pokemon 30th Celebration set released in Australia?
Yes. Wave 1 launched worldwide, including in Australia, on September 16, 2026. The remaining waves run through December 4, 2026.

Can I still buy 30th Celebration products in Australia?
Wave 1 sold out or crashed pre-order pages at every major retailer, but restocks do happen and later waves are still to come. Check the retailer directory and stock tracker, and set up alerts to catch the next window.

Has the Ultra Premium Collection been released in Australia?
Kmart briefly opened online pre-orders for it at $360 AUD, well ahead of its original November 6 (Wave 4) 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.

Is Pokemon Center Australia selling 30th Celebration products?
Not as of writing. Pokemon Center AU has not released an Australian pre-order for this set, and its online drops have historically been rare and unpredictable - don't plan a purchase around them.

Do I pay GST buying 30th Celebration cards on eBay from an Australian seller?
No extra GST on top of the listed price - it's already included, the same as buying from a retailer. GST and import handling only become a real added cost if you import directly from an overseas seller.