Pokémon TCG Pitch Black: All you need to know about this release

Pokémon Pitch Black is the fifth regular expansion of the English Mega Evolution Trading Card Game Series. It features the dark Pokémon Mega Darkrai and other fan favorite Pokémon like: Zeraora, Morpeko and many more dark type Pokémon. The release is scheduled worldwide on July 17th, 2026.

What we know so far:

Trademarks for the Pitch Black have been registered and a release has been planned for July 17th 2026. It will release together with the 30th Celebration Expansion.

Details of the Pitch Black Expansion:

• Set Name: Pitch Black (ME05)

• Release Date: July 17th 2026

• Main Mascot: Mega Darkrai

• Card Count: 80+ Cards

The TCG Expansion features fan favorite Pokemon like Darkrai and Zeraora.

Japanese equivalent expansion: Abyss Eye

The Japanese equivalent of Pokemon Pitch Black: Abyss Eye released on may 22nd 2026. Japanese sets usually hold the same illustration cards as the English sets but at far greater quality. Besides the better quality, the price is relatively lower. A realistic price of Japanese products is 40-60% of the English price.

Pokemon Abyss Eye Booster Box

The Pokemon Abyss Eye Booster Box contains 30 Booster Packs of this Japanese Pokemon TCG expansion.

Pokemon Abyss Eye Japanese release date: May 22nd, 2026.

New Special Illustration Rare cards

This expansion will bring Dark Pokemon for the collectors and trading card game players. Many very effective meta cards will release in this set, while giving collector's amazing illustration cards to collect.

Product Line-up

The Pitch Black expansion is a regular set and holds all the expected product including booster boxes. Check the complete product line up an availability in our Pokémon Pitch Black Collection. Below is a list of products and their explanation and imagery.

• Pitch Black Booster Box
• Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box
• Pitch Black Booster Bundle
• Pitch Black 3-pack Blister
• Pitch Black Sleeved Booster
• Pitch Black Booster Pack

Pokemon Pitch Black Boosterpack

The Pitch Black Booster packs contain 10 cards each and a code card for the TCG live. 

Release date: July 17th, 2026

Pokemon Pitch Black Booster Box

The Pitch Black Booster Box contains 36 booster packs of this expansion. It's the product with the most booster packs available. It is therefore a highly requested product. Booster boxes do not include additional items.

Release date: July 17th, 2026

Pokemon Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box (ETB)

The Pitch Black Elite Trainer Box (ETB) is the must have collectors item and a highly sought after product. The box contains 9 booster packs of the Pitch Black Expansion. Besides that it contains a Zarude promo card and everything else you need to start playing the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Contents of the Elite Trainer Box

• 9 Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Pitch Black booster packs
  • Each Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Pitch Black booster pack contains 10 cards, 1 Basic Energy, and 1 Pokémon TCG Live code card. Cards vary by pack.
    
• 1 full-art foil promo card featuring Zarude
• 65 card sleeves
• 40 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player’s guide to the Mega Evolution Pitch Black expansion
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 1 plastic coin
• A box to hold everything, with 6 dividers to keep it organized
• A code card for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live

Release date: July 17th, 2026

 

Pokemon Pitch Black Booster Bundle

The Pitch Black Booster Bundle contains 6 booster packs of the Pitch Black Expansion. It's a great way to start your collection by opening a few packs. Booster Bundles do not include additional items.

Release date: July 17th, 2026

Pokemon Pitch Black Sleeved Booster Pack

The Pitch Black Sleeved Boosters are a retail version of the regular booster packs. Each booster pack contains 10 cards and a code card for the TCG live. They are usually found behind the counters in your local game store. They are in high demand because of the quality of the cards from the booster packs.

Release date: July 17th, 2026

 

Pokemon Pitch Black 3-Pack Blister

The Pitch Black 3-Pack Blisters includes 3 booster packs, a code card and a Binacle promo card that is part of the black star mega evolution promo series.

Release date: July 17th, 2026

You can check out the whole Pokemon Pitch Black Collection in our webshop.

Key Details & Metagame Impacts

• New Mega Evolution ex Mechanics: The set continues the "Mega Evolution Series" by introducing Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex. These cards act as powerful new ex-variants with boosted HP and unique attacks that demand new build-around strategies
• Type-Shifted Pokémon: Pitch Black shakes up type matchups by introducing Pokémon in uncharacteristic typings. For example, the popular Ruinous Pokémon Chi-Yu makes its first appearance as a Darkness-type, creating unpredictable defensive and offensive utility for Dark decks. Chi-Yu is therefore bound to be a highly sought after card.
• Official Format Rules: While Pitch Black drops massive new threats into the card pool, official Play! Pokémon updates confirm no Standard or Expanded format bans accompanied the release of this set

What the Community is Saying

There is a vibrant discussion among collectors and players about the value of the set. While investors and collectors are eyeing the 35+ illustration rare cards, some players on the Reddit PokeInvesting forum have mixed opinions on whether the art direction or raw power level will completely reshape competitive play. You can track all the confirmed English and Japanese cards and set structures at the Bill's Archive Pitch Black Page.