It’s time to grab your deck and line your Pokemon up on your bench – as we check out the upcoming Pokemon TCG sets in 2023!
We here at Retro Dodo are huge fans of Pokemon – and have been for many years.
That’s not just the video games, but the trading card game (TCG) too!
The Pokemon Trading Card Game is, much like the video games, a phenomenon that has never gone away.
Having recently covered all upcoming MTG sets for 2023 (like the Pokemon TCG, Magic: The Gathering has enjoyed decades of popularity) we also wanted to keep our readers up to date with what they can expect from Pokemon this year.
The problem is that The Pokemon Company don’t seem to lay out their releases as far in advance as Wizards of the Coast do with MTG; so here we have a breakdown of what’s currently available, as well as what to expect over the next few months.
So without further ado, let’s check out the upcoming Pokemon TCG sets!
Table of Contents
1. Paldea Collection (January 6, 2023)
Already gracing the shelves of your local retailers – as well as the digital shelves of online stores – the Paldea Collection is three different boxes, featuring the Starter Pokemon from Scarlet and Violet as their centrepieces.
So you have 3 foil promo cards featuring Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly (one in each box, naturally) along with pin badges for the Starter Pokemon your box contains.
The boxes also come complete with a foil oversize card – featuring either Koraidon ex or Miraidon ex – four Pokemon TCG booster packs and a digital code to be used on Pokemon TCG Online or Pokemon TCG Live.
For players looking to bolster their current collection with a few specific cards and a decent number of boosters, these are pretty good value.
Newer players might need to go for something a bit more comprehensive, however.
2. Crown Zenith (January 20, 2023)
The final Special Expansion for the Sword and Shield set, Crown Zenith boosters aren’t available to buy individually.
Instead, they’re available in a number of different products across the range – with the Elite Trainer Box, Elite Trainer Box Plus and Regieleki V/Regidrago V Crown Zenith Collection boxes all having been released on the 20th of January.
On the 17th of February, players can get their hands on a selection of five Crown Zenith Mini Tins, which include two Crown Zenith booster packs and a sticker sheet (as well as the fancy tin itself, of course!).
On the same day, the Crown Zenith Special Collection – Pikachu VMAX box is released. This includes five Crown Zenith booster packs, one etched promo card and one oversize promo card (featuring Pikachu VMAX) and one foil promo card, featuring Pikachu V.
3. Mimikyu ex Box (March 3, 2023)
A foil Mimikyu ex in a standard, playable size is the centrepiece of this set, with the box also including an oversized version of the same card.
As well as these Mimikyu cards, a Greavard foil card is included – and four booster packs too!
4. 2022 World Championship Decks (March 3, 2023)
Though it may seem – to new players at least – that proven World Championship decks will make them unstoppable in the Pokemon TCG, there’s a few things to bear in mind.
Firstly, card backs don’t feature the standard Pokemon card design, which means that, unless you use opaque card sleeves, you won’t be able to use these cards to create a deck with other cards in your collection.
They aren’t tournament legal either, which means you’ll only be able to use the decks in casual play against your friends or family (though for most people, that won’t be an issue, admittedly!).
Lastly, it’s also worth bearing in mind that the tactics needed to use these decks successfully may not be particularly obvious or intuitive for new players.
However, if you’re still looking to get hold of these powerful decks, they offer pretty good value for money.
Each will include a 60-card World Championship deck, along with numerous items from the 2022 World Championships. You’ll get a booklet, pin badge, coin, deck box, playmat, and poster too.
The four available decks are: the ADP Deck, Shape of Mew Deck, Cheryl Again Deck, and Ice Rider Palkia Deck. Each one is based on a deck used by one of the Championship winners.
5. Crown Zenith Tins (March 17, 2023)
Also in March, these larger Crown Zenith tins will include five Crown Zenith booster packs, as well as one of the following full-art promo cards: Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos, or Galarian Moltres.
Want to read our thoughts on currently available tins? Check out our best Pokemon tins list!
6. Klara and Cyrus Premium Tournament Collection (March 24, 2023)
These two boxes are stuffed full of genuinely useful accessories – even card sleeves featuring art of Klara or Cyrus, depending on which box you choose.
Also included are seven booster packs, a deck box, damage dice (so much handier than tokens!), a Pokemon Online/Live code card and a metallic coin.
Lastly, one Full Art Promo card featuring Cyrus (or Klara!) and three copies of a holographic Trainer card (again, with your Trainer of choice on these cards too!).
7. Scarlet & Violet Base Set (March 31, 2023)
A new era kicks off for the Pokemon TCG (just as it did for the video games – check out our Pokemon Scarlet and Violet review here!) with booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes, Build and Battle Stadium boxes – and more – on the way.
Elite Trainer Boxes come in two variations – Scarlet or Violet, as you may expect – and are packaged with 9 booster packs, 1 full art, foil promo card (featuring Koraidon or Miraidon, depending on which box you picked!), 65 card sleeves featuring Koraidon or Miraidon, 45 Energy cards, a player’s guide to the Scarlet and Violet expansion, 6 damage counter dice, 1 coin-flip die, 2 plastic condition markers, a collector’s box with 4 dividers and, finally, a code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Online/Live.
The Build and Battle Stadium box follows the pattern of previous Build and Battle Stadium products, in that they include enough cards for two players to get started with the latest set of Pokemon cards.
Within the Build and Battle Stadium box, you’ll find 2 individual Build and Battle Boxes – one for each player, with each containing a ready-to-play 40-card deck.
There’s also an awful lot of other stuff included: 11 Scarlet and Violet booster packs (not sure how you’re supposed to evenly split those with a second player, however!), 121 Basic Energy cards, 6 damage-counter dice, 1 coin flip die, 2 condition markers and a collector’s box, which will hold everything in the rather comprehensive package!
Looking for more on the video game version of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? Check out our thoughts on the best team in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet!
8. Crown Zenith Pin Collection (April 14, 2023)
These boxes will arrive with three different character options: Rillaboom, Cinderace, or Inteleon.
The box includes three Crown Zenith booster packs; one promo card featuring a Pokemon from the three on offer – and a corresponding pin badge too.
9. Crown Zenith Premium Playmat Collection – Morpeko V-UNION (April 14, 2023)
Crown Zenith will continue to see more support in April, with this box including no less than five Crown Zenith booster packs.
Additionally, it will also include four Morpeko V-UNION cards, one Professor Burnet card, a playmat, and one oversized Morpeko card.
10. Crown Zenith Premium Figure Collection – Shiny Zacian or Shiny Zamazenta (May 5, 2023)
These huge boxes include 11 Crown Zenith booster packs, along with an etched promo card, featuring either Shiny Zacian V or Shiny Zamazenta V.
A corresponding Shiny figure and a Shiny pin badge (of either Shiny Zacian or Shiny Zamazenta), plus a set of card sleeves – featuring the chosen character – are also included.
11. Cyclizar ex Box (May 5, 2023)
The Cyclizar ex Box features a Cyclizar ex Black Star Promo card, a jumbo version of Cyclizar ex, a foil Rotom, and four booster packs.
That’s a tasty package for anyone wanting to get into modern Pokemon TCG and definitely enough to get your deck kickstarted!
12. Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR League Battle Deck (May 5, 2023)
The Origin Forme Palkia VSTAR League Battle Deck is, as the name suggests, a deck that’s ready for you to head out into a league battle with. It’s perfect for players who know their way around the game and are ready for some serious competitions.
Inside this set is a fully put-together 60-card deck. It comes with a foil Radiant Greninja, a foil Origin Forme Palia VSTARm and an Origin Forme Palkia V.
Store everything away in the included Deck box, and make use of the coin makers, strategy sheet, damage counter dice, and coin-flip die.
It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
13. Ampharos ex Battle Deck & Lucario ex Battle Deck (May 5, 2023)
Next up on our list of upcoming Pokemon TCG sets is the Ampharos ex Battle Deck & Lucario ex Battle Deck.
Pick a deck with either Ampharos Ex or Lucario Ex as your main character and take charge with a 60-card game-ready deck including playmat and a guide on the TCG rules.
Yo’ll also get a deck box, a big metallic coin, and a code to play with your deck online, as well as a strategy sheet for forming your win over your opponent!
14. Paldea Legends Tins (June 9, 2023)
We love a random drop here at Retro Dodo, and the link above will put you down for a Paldea Legends Tin with either Miraidon Ex or Koraidon Ex, chosen completely at random.
Each tin set comes with 1 foil card featuring the Pokemon on the front of your box as well as 5 booster packs filled with Pokemon card goodness.
Oh, and you’ll also get the code needed to play with your entire new deck online too. Result!
14. Scarlet & Violet: Paldea Evolved (June 9, 2023)
Awake a new power as you battle through Paldea – it’s time to uncover some new legends!
With 36 booster packs and Skeledirge Ex, Quaquaval Ex, and Meowscarada Ex there for the taking, there’s lots to expect from this mammoth box set.
Plus, you’re guaranteed 3 foil cards per booster pack.
If you loved playing Pokemon Scarlet and Vioplet on the Switch, then take your obsession to the next level and start building the ultimate deck today!
15. Trainer’s Toolkit (June 9, 2003)
No, this doesn’t have Pokeballs or Rare Candy in it, but it does have 50 epic cards that players can use to create an epic deck… which is the next best thing!
Get Arceus V and Arceus VSTAR as well as tonnes of energy cards, 65 card sleeves, a coin flip die used in competition, and tonnes of other useful markers to use while competing!
16. Chien-Pao ex and Tinkaton ex Battle Decks (July 14, 2023)
These Chien-Pao ex and Tinkaton ex Battle Decks take the 16th spot in our upcoming Pokemon TCG sets list!
Freeze the opposition with the all-powerful Chien-Pao or just hammer them into the ground with Tinkaton!
Each deck is ready to use with 60 cards carefully prepared for you to battle with. You’ll get a playmat, damage counters, and of course that all-important card code for getting your new set online.
Personally, I’d be going for the Chien-Pao set all day long, but my contract says that I have to remain unbiased!
17. Annihilape ex Box (July 14, 2023)
Annihilape is one angry dude, and now you can get angry with your opponents thanks to this epic Annihilape Ex Deck!
And woe betide anyone that wants to hurt Annihilape Ex, because damage just makes it stronger!
Primeape and Mankey join Annihilape Ex in this set as foil cards, and there are also 4 booster packs with tonnes of Pokemon cards for you to uncover.
18. Scarlet & Violet Obsidian Flames (August 11, 2023)
Scarlet & Violet Obsidian Flames is up next in our upcoming Pokemon TCG sets list, and there are some incredible cards to pick out of these booster packs. Tyranitar, Charizard, Vespiqueen; Obsidian Flames has got it all.
Each pack contains 10 cards and a basic energy card, and you’re guaranteed to get 3 foil cards in every pack.
Check out the video that we posted on our sister site Card Gamer where we pulled the Gold Charizard Ex Card from our Obsidian Flames booster set!
19. Crown Zenith Unown V and Lugia V Special Collection (August 18, 2023)
Get two foil cards for the price of 1 with the Crown Zenith Unown V and Lugia V Special Collection!
Lugia has been one of our favourite Pokemon since Pokemon Silver, and Unown is a wacky character that you can’t help but love.
This set comes with a cool Lugia Pin and an oversized promotional card of Lugia for sticking on your shelf. It even has a Lugia coin too!
Yeah, Lugia is the main pull here guys!
20. Pokemon Trading Card Game: Holiday Calendar 2023 (September 1, 2023)
Who wants a normal Advent Calendar when you could have the Pokemon Trading Card Game: Holiday Calendar 2023!
25 days of Pokemon card goodness, 8 foil cards, 5 booster packs, 7 3-card fun packs , stickers, coins, and some collectible sidekick danglers.
And to top it all off, a code for TCG Live so you can use all of the cards you pull out online!
That beats a piece of chocolate in a morning, right?
21. Paldea Partners Tins (Meowscarada, Skeledirge, and Quaquaval) (September 1, 2023)
When it comes to these Paldea Partners Tins, would you go for Meowscarada, Skeledirge, or Quaquaval?
Pick your favourite fully evolved starter Pokemon from Pokemon Scarlet or Violet into battle as a foil promo card and get 4 extra booster packs filled with cards too.
This is a great set for anyone wanting to get into the TCG with modern Pokemon (Modernmon?).
22. Meowscarada ex and Quaquaval ex Deluxe Battle Deck (September 1, 2023)
Still, if you want to go into battle hard and show your opponents who means business, then you should consider getting one of these Meowscarada ex and Quaquaval ex Deluxe Battle Deck when they drop in September.
If you want to get clever with your power cards and get all strategic with your new deck, then dive in with 60 new cards and either a QualQuaval and a Radiant Greninja or a Meowsacarada and a radiant Alakazam!
23. Trick or Trade Booster Bundle 2023 (September 1, 2023)
This is the kind of treat I wish I had got when I was trick-or-treating as a kid! The Trick or Trade Booster Bundle 2023 comes with 40 mini packs of cards, each pack boasting 3 cards inside of it.
Boo-ster… get it?
So, that’s 120 card up for grabs! Definitely one for keeping near your porch when Halloween comes around!
24. Pokemon 151 Binder Collection (September 22, 2023)
We love a good binder here at Retro Dodo; it’s essentially a Pokedex, just less advanced, right?
This binder comes with 4 booster packs for you to unwrap and start filling up your budget Pokedex too – how cool is that.
There are 20 pages with 9 pockets on each page, which means you might need a few more booster packets if you want to fill this binder up.
And if you want to know which cards to fill it up with, then keep reading!
25. Scarlet & Violet 151 Elite Trainer Box (September 22, 2023)
It’s time to head back into Kanto and to head out on an adventure with Chamander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle like the good old days.
All of the original 151 Pokemon are up for grabs, and with a set name like Scarlet & Violet 151, I guess that should have been pretty obvious from the off!
There are 9 packs on offer in this set, and you’ll get all of the tools need to effectively play a competetive match as well as 65 card sleeves to protect your new cards.
Unless you have the binder above, then you can stick them in there too!
27. Scarlet & Violet 151 Poster Collection (September 22, 2023)
More Pokemon 151 goodness is heading your way, this time with the Scarlet & Violet 151 Poster Collection.
I think every games room needs some epic Pokemon wall art, and this set provides.
Not only will you get a foil card of Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur, but you’ll also get an epic poster and 3 booster packs from the Scarlet & Violet 151 series.
Oh, and don’t forget that all-important online code!
28. Scarlet & Violet 151 Booster Bundle (Late September 2023)
Still, if you want to just grab the cards without any of the bells and whistles, then the simple Scarlet & Violet 151 Booster Bundle should be right up your street!
I’ve got to admit, we’re all really excited to head back to Kanto again for an adventure in any guise, and getting the chance to pull the special Ex cards for Venasaur, Blastoise, and Charizard is going to be a blast!
Who knows, Mew might turn up to the party too!
This bundle holds 6 packs of cards, which should definitely be enough to get your deck started!
29. Scarlet & Violet 151 Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box (Late September 2023)
This Scarlet & Violet 151 Pokémon Center Elite Trainer Box is huge! We’re talking 11 Pokemon TCG Scarlet & Violet 151 packs (each with 11 cards in), a Snorlax Art-Promo card (one with and one without a Pokemon Center logo on it), and 45 energy cards.
And, as well as all of the die and coins for competetive play, you’ll get a protective box to keep it all in!
30. Pokemon 151 Ultra Premium Collection (October 6, 2023)
October promises to be an incredible month thanks to the arrival of the Pokemon 151 Ultra Premium Collection.
Mew will definitely appear in this set. In fact, for those wanting to know how to get Mew and Mewtwo in Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, you can actually get a Mew Ex card and a foil art-promo card of Mewtwo in this set!
There’s even a metal Mew Ex card here too as well as 16 booster packs and all of the items needed for competetive play along with a playmat and a box to protect your deck!
31. Scarlet & Violet 151 Zapdos Ex Box (October 6, 2023)
This Scarlet & Violet 151 Zapdos ex Box is set to be pretty electrifying! (sorry, I couldn’t resist)
Kanto’s legendary electric bird Pokemon returns in foil promo card form as Zapdos Ex, aswell as a foil Electabuzz and an oversize Zapdos ex card for your nerd shelf.
There are 4 booster packs in this set as well as a TCG Live code for online play.
32. Scarlet & Violet 151 Alakazam Ex Box (October 6, 2023)
How about playing some mind games with Alakazam and his kin with the Scarlet & Violet 151 Alakazam Ex Box!
I had a shiny Alakazam as a kid and refused to sell it for £8. I don’t know where it is now, but I bet I could have spent that £8 on something great!
Add a foil promo Alakazam Ex, a foil Kadabra and a foil Abra to your collection, along with 4 Scarlet and Violet 151 booster packs and a Live code!
This is definitely one for those nostalgic Kanto Psychic fans like me, and we’ve also got all of the information on Psychic type weaknesses if you’re going up against Alakazam in battle!
33. Pokémon 151 Mini Tins (October 6, 2023)
To finish off the Scarlet & Violet set, we’ve got some Pokémon 151 Mini Tins with different artwork on each tin!
Get a slick little coin in each tin as well as 2 booster packs in each tin and use the tins afterwards to either keep your cards safe or to store all of your tournament-related items!
34. Paradox Rift – 3 November 2023
The last upcoming Pokemon TCG set in our list, Paradox Rift, is the fourth expansion set from the Scarlet and Violet card series. It looks out of this world and is based on the Paradox Pokemon we’ve come across in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet so far.
All we know so far is that Paradox Pokemon Ancient and Future Pokemon cards are about to jump onto the scene, so get ready to make some more space in your collectors tins!
And that’s a wrap! Thank’s for checking out our Upcoming Pokemon TCG Sets article, and I hope you’re excited for what’s on the horizon!
While you’re here, check out our list of the best Magic the Gathering sleeves, which will protect your Pokemon TCG card decks. You’ll definitely need these, even if you don’t have any of the rare Pokemon cards we’ve previously taken a look at!
Don’t forget to also check out our list of the most valuable McDonalds Pokemon cards for more Pokelicious facts!
Which sets are you most looking forward to? Join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Jason – who lives in the UK – has had a lifelong interest in video games, which all started when he discovered Space Invaders in the early 80s. The first game he ever completed was Wonder Boy in Monster Land on the Sega Master System – which remains one of his proudest gaming achievements. Jason is a passionate writer – and has been writing about gaming since the late 90s. He currently runs pop culture blog midlifegamergeek.com, which he updates on a daily basis (and has written more than 700 articles on the blog alone!).
Outside of video games, Jason is a keen tabletop gamer, film buff and comic book fan.
