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    Pokémon Trading Card Game

    Also known as Pokémon TCG, PTCG, Pokemon cards

    The Pokémon Trading Card Game launched in Japan in October 1996, and more than 85 billion cards had been produced by the end of March 2026, in 16 languages.[1][2] It was the second-largest trading card game by sales value on TCGplayer in early 2026, and its Ascended Heroes set was that quarter's best-selling new set.[3][4]

    Editor reviewedUpdated Gaming
    Key facts

    Overview

    The Pokémon Trading Card Game launched in Japan in October 1996.[1] By the end of March 2026, The Pokémon Company had produced more than 85 billion cards, in 16 languages, sold in more than 90 countries and regions.[2]

    The game also has a digital companion. The Pokémon Company’s corporate history records the release of Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, a digital card game, in October 2024.[5]

    Sales and collecting in 2026

    By the dollar value of sales on the TCGplayer marketplace, Pokémon was the second-largest trading card game in the first quarter of 2026, behind Magic: The Gathering.[3] Its Ascended Heroes set was the best-selling new set of that quarter, ahead of Magic’s Lorwyn Eclipsed.[4] The top single card by dollar sales was a Mega Charizard X ex from the Phantasmal Flames set, with a market price of $826.41 on 13 April 2026.[6]

    Prices have attracted speculators. TCGplayer reported a popular view that some speculators moved from Pokémon to the One Piece Card Game in late 2025 and pushed prices up there.[7] Card prices move quickly, so treat any quoted price as a dated snapshot.

    Tournament rules and proxies

    The Play! Pokémon TCG Tournament Handbook, last revised 1 September 2026, allows only genuine Pokémon cards at Play! Pokémon events unless a judge or organiser issues a proxy.[8] Proxies are allowed only to replace a card damaged during the tournament; any other proxy is treated as a counterfeit card.[9]

    The Pokémon TCG and magic-the-gathering were the two largest games on TCGplayer in early 2026.[3] For how Pokémon’s proxy rules compare with Magic’s, and what printing services allow, see custom and proxy trading cards. For 2026 industry news, see the TCG industry tracker.

    Questions readers ask

    How many Pokémon cards have been made?

    More than 85 billion as of the end of March 2026, according to The Pokémon Company.[2]

    When did the Pokémon TCG start?

    It launched in Japan in October 1996.[1]

    Can I use proxy cards in Pokémon tournaments?

    Only if a judge or organiser issues one to replace a card damaged during the event. Any other proxy is treated as a counterfeit card.[8][9]

    What was the most valuable-selling Pokémon card in early 2026?

    On TCGplayer, the top single card by dollar sales in the first quarter of 2026 was a Mega Charizard X ex from Phantasmal Flames, with a market price of $826.41 on 13 April 2026.[6]

    Sources

    Each numbered claim is a statement we checked against the sources listed with it. Status shows how well established it is.

    1. [1]

      The Pokémon Trading Card Game launched in Japan in October 1996. confirmedas of 2026-10-10

      • History · The Pokémon Company · October 1996 entry (retrieved 2026-10-10)
    2. [2]

      As of the end of March 2026, more than 85 billion Pokémon Trading Card Game cards had been produced, in 16 languages, and sold in more than 90 countries and regions. confirmedas of 2026-03-31

    3. [3]

      By the dollar value of sales on the TCGplayer marketplace in the first quarter of 2026, the top five trading card games were Magic - The Gathering, Pokémon, One Piece Card Game, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Riftbound. confirmedas of 2026-04-15

    4. [4]

      Pokémon's Ascended Heroes was the best-selling new trading card set of the first quarter of 2026 on TCGplayer, ahead of Magic's Lorwyn Eclipsed. confirmedas of 2026-04-15

    5. [5]

      The Pokémon Company lists the release of the digital game Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket in October 2024 in its corporate history. confirmedas of 2026-10-10

      • History · The Pokémon Company · October 2024 entry (retrieved 2026-10-10)
    6. [6]

      The top-selling single card by dollar value on TCGplayer in the first quarter of 2026 was a Mega Charizard X ex from Pokémon's Phantasmal Flames set, with a market price of $826.41 on 13 April 2026. confirmedas of 2026-04-13

    7. [7]

      TCGplayer reported a popular view that speculators moved from Pokémon to One Piece in late 2025 and drove prices up, then looked for the next game to speculate on. reportedas of 2026-04-15

    8. [8]

      The Play! Pokémon TCG Tournament Handbook, last revised 1 September 2026, allows only genuine Pokémon cards at Play! Pokémon events unless a judge or organiser issues a proxy. confirmedas of 2026-09-01

    9. [9]

      The Play! Pokémon handbook says proxies may be used only to replace cards damaged during a tournament, and any other proxy is treated as a counterfeit card. confirmedas of 2026-09-01

    Revision history (1)
    1. Page created.

    Created Oct 10, 2026. Last reviewed by an editor on Oct 10, 2026. Next scheduled review: Jan 10, 2027.

    Cite this page

    "Pokémon Trading Card Game." ContentLora, updated Oct 10, 2026. https://contentlora.com/wiki/pokemon-trading-card-game

    Spotted an error? Suggest a correction or emailcorrections@contentlora.com.

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