If your local game store has felt a bit quiet since the last Pokemon drop, mark 17 July in the diary. That is when the Pokemon Trading Card Game's next expansion, Mega Evolution: Pitch Black, arrives, and the official product line-up is already up.
Run game nights? Backseat Gamer handles RSVPs, waitlists, date polling, and game voting so you can focus on playing.
Start organising for freeLeading the set is Mega Greninja ex, the Water-and-Dark ninja-frog Pokemon and a longtime fan favourite. It gets its own Mega Greninja ex Premium Collection, out a fortnight earlier on 3 July, packing a foil promo in both playable and oversized display sizes plus eight booster packs. The main event on 17 July brings the full spread: a 36-pack Booster Display Box, a Booster Bundle, and two Elite Trainer Boxes (the standard one and a Pokemon Center version), each carrying a full-art Zarude promo. Every Pitch Black pack holds ten cards and a basic Energy.
For anyone building a deck rather than a binder, the Build & Battle Box follows on 31 July with a 40-card ready-to-play deck, one of four foil promos and four boosters. It is the friendliest way in for newer players.
Got a regular group? Create a private community, poll for the best date, vote on games, and let your friends RSVP in one place.
Set up your group for freePitch Black continues the Mega Evolution run that has anchored Pokemon's 2026 card releases, and the darker theme suits a set landing in the thick of summer league season. A new set is a fine excuse to get back to the table. Prerelease and league events are the easiest place to crack packs with other players, and if you have not found a regular group yet, Backseat Gamer can help you track one down.
Sources: Pokemon.com
