Mega Evolutions make a grand return to the Pokémon TCG this September.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game is set to revive a fan-favourite mechanic with the launch of its Mega Evolution expansion on 26 September 2025. Revealed during Pokémon Presents on 22 July, six full-art cards from the upcoming set were showcased, marking the official return of Mega Evolutions to the TCG after more than a decade.
This expansion follows the current Black Bolt and White Flare sets, which make up the fourth wave of releases in 2025. While the Pokémon TCG has recently focused on Prismatic Evolutions, this announcement confirms that the era is winding down in preparation for the new format.
First cards in the Mega Evolution set revealed
The presentation revealed six cards from the Mega Evolution set, including a nostalgic callback to the Bulbasaur evolutionary line. Both Bulbasaur and Ivysaur will receive full-art cards, while Mega Venusaur will appear as an EX card, which is the only EX among the trio. Alongside them, Mega Lucario EX, Mega Kangaskhan EX, and Mega Gardevoir EX were also confirmed.
The return of Mega Evolutions aligns with the upcoming release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, set for release on 16 October 2025. It appears that this cross-media synergy is driving the return of older mechanics in the TCG. Although many iconic Mega Evolutions are likely to appear in this set, newer ones, such as the recently announced Mega Dragonite, may be reserved for future expansions.
The Mega Evolution mechanic originally debuted in Pokémon X & Y and made its first TCG appearance in 2014's XY set. However, the Trading Card Game phased it out in favour of mechanics that aligned with subsequent mainline games. Its reintroduction signals a shift not just in nostalgia, but also in preparation for the direction the larger franchise is heading, particularly as anticipation builds for the tenth generation.
Beyond Mega Evolutions, the Pokémon Presents stream included a number of other reveals, such as a new Mystery Code for Scarlet and Violet. But for Trading Card Game fans, the spotlight firmly remains on what new pulls await when the Mega Evolution set arrives this September.
