Pokémon TCG 2025: Set List, Release Dates, and More
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is set for another massive year in 2025, and players and collectors are already eager to know what's next. As the Scarlet & Violet era continues to unfold and evolve, the release calendar is packed with major expansions, special collections, and exciting new products.
While The Pokémon Company International often keeps its plans under wraps until just a few months before release, we've gathered all the confirmed dates and historical patterns to bring you the most comprehensive guide to the 2025 Pokémon TCG schedule.
Understanding the Pokémon TCG Release Cadence
Before diving into specific dates, it's helpful to understand the typical rhythm of Pokémon TCG releases. For years, the game has followed a predictable and consistent schedule that we can use to anticipate future products.
Generally, each year includes:
- Four Main Sets: These are the major, full-sized expansions that introduce new Pokémon, mechanics, and support for the competitive scene. They typically release quarterly, arriving in February, May/June, August/September, and November.
- A Special "Holiday" Set: Released in the summer or early fall (June-October), this special set is not sold in traditional booster packs. Instead, its packs are found only within special collections, tins, and Elite Trainer Boxes.
- A Holiday Calendar: A festive advent-calendar-style product that launches in late summer to prepare for the holiday season.
- Various Special Products: Throughout the year, we see numerous other products, including tins, "ex" boxes, deck products, and other unique collections that often feature exclusive promo cards.
Using this established pattern, we can project a fairly accurate roadmap for the year ahead.
Confirmed Pokémon TCG Releases for 2025
While the full calendar has yet to be revealed, we have official confirmation of one product arriving in the latter half of the year. This gives us our first anchor point for the 2025 schedule.
- Pokémon TCG: Holiday Calendar 2025 (Release Date: August 22, 2025)
The popular Holiday Calendar is making its return. Confirmed for a late August release, this product is a fan favorite for its daily surprises in the run-up to the winter holidays. Typically, these calendars contain a mix of booster packs from recent sets, exclusive promo cards featuring festive Pokémon, sticker sheets, and other fun trinkets. Its August release allows plenty of time for families and collectors to secure one before the holiday rush.
Projected 2025 Pokémon TCG Release Schedule
Based on the historical release schedule, here is our projection for the major, unannounced sets of 2025. Please note that the names and exact dates are speculative until officially announced.
- Winter Set (Likely February 2025): The first major expansion of the year almost always arrives in February. This set will likely continue the themes and mechanics of the Scarlet & Violet era, possibly introducing new Paradox Pokémon or "Ancient" and "Future" card variants.
- Spring Set (Likely May/June 2025): The second main set typically launches just before summer. It serves as a crucial release for the competitive scene, as its cards become tournament-legal just in time for the major summer championships, including the World Championships.
- Special Holiday Set (Likely Summer 2025): Following the Spring set, we can expect a special, non-standard expansion. These sets, like Pokémon GO or Crown Zenith, are highly collectible and often feature unique art styles and a high rate of rare cards.
- Fall Set (Likely August/September 2025): This is the third main expansion of the year and often marks a significant point in the competitive season. It's the first set to be released after the annual Standard format rotation, defining the new meta for players worldwide.
- End-of-Year Set (Likely November 2025): The final main set of the year arrives in November, capping off the annual release cycle. This expansion usually sets the stage for the following year's mechanics and stories, often teasing what's to come.
Major Changes: The 2025 Standard Format Rotation
Perhaps the most significant event on the 2025 calendar for competitive players is the Standard format rotation. This annual event ensures the game remains fresh and balanced by cycling older sets out of the official tournament format.
In early 2025, the Standard format will rotate. All cards bearing the "E" regulation mark will no longer be legal for tournament play. This means many cards from the early Sword & Shield era will be retired from the main format.
Following the rotation, the legal cards for the 2025 season will be those with "F," "G," and "H" regulation marks, in addition to any new regulation marks introduced in 2025. Players should prepare for a major shift in the competitive landscape as they adapt their decks to this new card pool. New cards typically become tournament-legal two weeks after their official release.
Pokémon TCG 2025 FAQ
How many Pokémon TCG sets will be released in 2025?
While the exact number isn't confirmed, we can expect the usual schedule of four main expansions, one special holiday set, and various smaller product releases throughout the year.
What is the first Pokémon TCG set of 2025?
The first major expansion has not been officially named, but based on past schedules, it is expected to be released in February 2025.
When will the 2025 Pokémon TCG rotation happen?
The Standard format rotation is officially set for early 2025. After this point, cards with the "E" regulation mark will no longer be legal for Standard tournament play.
Is there a confirmed holiday set for 2025?
Yes, the Pokémon TCG: Holiday Calendar 2025 has been officially announced with a release date of August 22, 2025. A separate, special card expansion, typically released in the summer, is also highly anticipated but not yet confirmed.