The 2026 Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco closed with an absolute showstopper for the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Bidding farewell to the Mega Evolution era, The Pokémon Company officially pulled the curtain back on the next major mechanic: the Pokémon TCG ex Star (ex★) series.
If you are a collector looking for the next big chase card or a competitive player planning your 2027 deck, here is everything we know so far about the ex★ era.
What is the Pokémon ex Star (ex★) Series?
Announced during the Worlds 2026 closing ceremony on August 30, the ex Star (written as ex★) series is the upcoming era of the Pokémon TCG, directly following the Mega Evolution series.
While The Pokémon Company has kept the exact gameplay mechanics of ex★ cards under wraps, the initial teaser trailer heavily featured the Johto Legendary Beasts: Suicune, Entei, and Raikou. Speculation is already running wild in the community: Will these be 2-Prize Pokémon with unique abilities? Will they act like classic Pokémon-GX with a once-per-game attack, or are we looking at a mechanic completely unique to the ex★ designation? We will have to wait for follow-up announcements to know for sure.
First Look: Mega Lucario Z ex and New MA Rares
The most tangible reveal from the announcement was the first official card of the new era: Mega Lucario Z ex. This marks the first physical TCG card to carry the "Z form" designation. It is a Stage 1 Pokémon (evolving from Riolu) featuring the Aura Seeker ability, which allows you to search your deck for a Supporter card once per turn.
When Will the ex Star Series Release?
While an official English release date hasn't been confirmed by The Pokémon Company, retailer listings and insider reports give us a highly probable timeline.
- Japanese Release: The new era is expected to kick off with the Japanese set Aura Seeker on November 27, 2026, headlined by Mega Lucario Z ex and Sigilyph ex.
- English Release: Western collectors should expect the English equivalent to drop in January 2027.
Before the ex★ era officially takes over, Western players will get one final Mega Evolution set. Delta Reign is scheduled to arrive on November 6, 2026, serving as the sixth and final announced main expansion of the Mega era.
What This Means for Collectors
A new series logo is essentially a starting gun for the TCG market. Historically, the cards that open a new era become highly sought-after grail cards for the next generation of collectors.
If you are looking to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Legendary Beasts: The first Suicune, Entei, and Raikou ex★ cards will likely command massive premium attention on day one.
- Keep an Eye on Mimikyu: The closing ceremony also announced Pokémon: Wild Card, a 2027 theatrical movie centered around a TCG player and a Mimikyu. As marketing for the film ramps up, expect Mimikyu cards to see a spike in popularity.
- Finish your Mega Master Sets: With Delta Reign marking the expected end of the English Mega Evolution era, now is the time to secure your Mega Rayquaza ex chase cards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does ex★ stand for in the Pokémon TCG?
ex★ is read as "ex Star." It is the official logo and branding for the upcoming TCG series replacing the Mega Evolution era, officially announced at the 2026 World Championships.
What was the first ex Star card revealed?
The first card revealed alongside the new era announcement was Mega Lucario Z ex, featuring the powerful Aura Seeker ability.
When does the Pokémon TCG Aura Seeker set come out?
Aura Seeker is slated for a Japanese release on November 27, 2026. The English release is expected to follow in January 2027.
What is an MA Rare in the Pokémon TCG?
MA stands for "Mega Attack Rare," a high-tier rarity slot that features powerful, alternate-art versions of Mega Evolution Pokémon, such as the newly revealed Mega Rayquaza ex and Mega Darkrai ex.
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