Mega Evolution Sets in Order: Every Pokémon TCG Set and Special Set

There are eight English sets in the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution series so far. In release order: Mega Evolution, Phantasmal Flames, Ascended Heroes, Perfect Order, Chaos Rising, Pitch Black, 30th Celebration and Delta Reign. The run started on 10 October 2025 in the UK and reaches Delta Reign on 6 November 2026. Below is every set with its UK release date, card count, set code and headline Mega Pokémon ex, plus which ones are special sets and where each came from in Japan.

Every Mega Evolution set in release order

Dates are UK release dates. Card counts are Pokémon's official "over" figures; the code and numbering are as printed on the cards.

Each Mega Evolution set and its headline cards

1. Mega Evolution (MEG): 10 October 2025

The set that brought Mega Evolution back. Pokémon's page leads with Mega Lucario ex and Mega Gardevoir ex and promises nearly a dozen Mega Evolution Pokémon ex. There are no regular Pokémon ex in it at all: all ten ex are Mega Evolutions, one per type, and each gives up three Prize cards when it's Knocked Out. The main set is numbered to 132.

2. Phantasmal Flames (PFL): 14 November 2025

Mega Charizard X ex and Mega Gengar ex front this one, with Mega Heracross ex and Mega Lopunny ex behind them. It's a small main set, numbered to 094, with around 130 cards in total once secret rares are included.

Images: The Pokémon Company International

3. Ascended Heroes (ASC): 30 January 2026

The first special set of the series, led by Mega Dragonite ex, with Trainer's Pokémon and Stellar Tera Pokémon ex alongside new and returning Mega ex. Pokémon lists over 290 cards, and the full count of 295 makes it the largest English set ever, ahead of Fusion Strike's 284. Mega Charizard Y ex and a Pikachu ex are in it too. Its products rolled out in stages: the Elite Trainer Box followed on 20 February 2026.

4. Perfect Order (POR): 27 March 2026

Mega Zygarde ex leads, with Mega Clefable ex, Mega Starmie ex and Meowth ex, across 124 cards in total. It was the set that became tournament legal on 10 April 2026, the day the 2026 Standard rotation took effect.

Images: The Pokémon Company International

5. Chaos Rising (CRI): 22 May 2026

Mega Floette ex is the threat and Mega Greninja ex leads the response, with Mega Pyroar ex and Mega Dragalge ex. It has 122 cards.

6. Pitch Black (PBL): 17 July 2026

Mega Darkrai ex brings the dark, Mega Zeraora ex answers with lightning, and Mega Chandelure ex and Mega Excadrill ex join in. At 120 cards, it's the smallest set of the Mega Evolution block.

Images: The Pokémon Company International

7. 30th Celebration (30C): 16 September 2026

The anniversary special set, and part of the Mega Evolution series on Pokémon's own expansion list. Mewtwo ex and Mew ex lead it, every booster pack contains one of 30 different Pikachu cards, and there are 30 cards from the Classic Collection plus two Futuristic rares by the artist YOSHIROTTEN. Pokémon lists over 150 cards. More 30th Celebration products are due to roll out through to December.

8. Delta Reign (DLR): 6 November 2026

The newest set, with Mega Rayquaza ex at the front and Mega Golurk ex, Mega Malamar ex and Mega Golisopod ex behind it. It introduces two-card Legendary Stadiums. Prereleases start on 24 October. Our Delta Reign release guide has the cards and products in full.

Images: The Pokémon Company International

Main sets vs special sets

Six of the eight are main sets: you can buy single booster packs, booster boxes, Elite Trainer Boxes and Build & Battle Boxes for prerelease events. The other two, Ascended Heroes and 30th Celebration, are special sets.

That matters for buying. If you want to open a special set, an Elite Trainer Box or a collection box is the way in, and the later products often carry their own promos.

Which Japanese set each one comes from

English Pokémon sets are built from Japanese releases. Here's where each one comes from.

The gap is usually about two months. 30th Celebration was the exception: it came out worldwide on the same day as Japan. Delta Reign has the longest wait of the series, more than three months after Storm Emeralda.

Are all the Mega Evolution sets Standard legal?

Yes. Pokémon lists every one of them as Standard legal. What decides legality is the regulation mark printed in the bottom corner of each card, not the set. Mega Evolution and Phantasmal Flames carry I, Perfect Order onwards carry J, and Ascended Heroes is a mix: Mega Dragonite ex (152/217) and Mega Lucario ex (113/217) are I, Mega Charizard Y ex (022/217) and Mega Audino ex (172/217) are J, and Pikachu ex (057/217) even carries an H.

The 2026 rotation removed G cards from Standard on 10 April 2026, leaving H, I and J. No 2027 rotation has been announced yet, and if the usual pattern holds, it would be the older H cards in the firing line. That would take the odd H card in Ascended Heroes with it, but nothing else from this series.

What comes after Delta Reign?

No English set after Delta Reign has been announced yet. In Japan, Pokémon used the closing ceremony of the 2026 World Championships in San Francisco to reveal a new series logo, "ex★", along with cards including Mega Lucario Z ex. We'll add the next English set here once Pokémon names it.

Where to start with Mega Evolution

Browse our Delta Reign range, Elite Trainer Boxes and booster boxes, or see every older set on our Pokémon TCG set list. New to the game? Start with how to play the Pokémon TCG.

Mega Evolution sets FAQ