Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Pitch Black Set and Product Lineup Officially Revealed

The Pokémon Company International has officially pulled back the curtain on the next major TCG expansion, and it is one of the most anticipated sets of the year. 

Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Pitch Black has been officially revealed, with a worldwide release date of Friday, July 17, 2026, making it the fifth set in the Mega Evolution series and the darkest chapter yet.

What is Pitch Black?

Pitch Black is the English adaptation of the Japanese Abyss Eye expansion, which releases on May 22, 2026, roughly two months ahead of the international version. As with previous Mega Evolution sets, the English release is an almost 1:1 adaptation of its Japanese counterpart, meaning Japanese collectors and importers will already have a clear picture of what is coming before the global launch.

The set is centred entirely on Dark-type Mega Evolution Pokémon and draws heavily from the world of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, with Mega Darkrai ex serving as the unambiguous face of the expansion. With 280 HP and bold, menacing artwork that perfectly captures the nightmare energy of a Darkness-type Mega Evolution, Mega Darkrai ex is already generating the kind of pre-release hype that Mega Charizard X ex commanded when Phantasmal Flames launched.

Pre-release events are scheduled to run from July 4 through July 12, 2026, giving players a chance to get their hands on the cards before the official street date.

Full Set Contents

Pitch Black is a substantive set with something for every type of collector and player. Here is the full confirmed card breakdown:

• Over 115 cards total

• 6 Mega Evolution Pokémon ex

• 4 standard Pokémon ex

• 11 Illustration Rare Pokémon

• 18 Ultra Rare Pokémon and Trainer cards

• 6 Special Illustration Rare Pokémon and Supporter cards

• More than 20 Trainer cards

• More than 35 Pokémon and Trainer cards with special illustrations

The 6 Special Illustration Rares are the headline chase cards of the set, and with Mega Darkrai ex anchoring the lineup, the SIR tier is expected to feature some of the most dramatic and darkly atmospheric artwork the modern TCG era has produced.

Confirmed Products and Pricing

The full Pitch Black product lineup has been revealed, with preorders already going live at major retailers globally. Here is everything confirmed so far:

Booster Display Box (36 Packs)
The core bulk-opening product for collectors and players. MSRP is confirmed at $161.64 USD, in line with recent Mega Evolution set pricing.

Elite Trainer Box
The ETB is the standout product of the launch, featuring 9 booster packs, a foil Zarude Illustration Rare promo card exclusive to this product, card sleeves, damage counters, and a player's guide. The Zarude Illustration Rare promo is already generating significant collector interest as a product-exclusive card unavailable anywhere else in the set.

Booster Bundle (6 Packs)
The budget entry point for the set, MSRP confirmed at $26.94 USD, offering six booster packs at a value price point ideal for casual collectors.

Booster Blister and Checklane Blister
Single and multi-pack blister formats are also confirmed, including a Target-exclusive Checklane Blister variant for the US market.

Build and Battle Box
The pre-release exclusive product for players participating in the July 4 to 12 pre-release events.

Various Collections (details TBA)
The Pokémon Company has confirmed additional collection products are coming but has not yet revealed the full lineup. Given the Mega Evolution series precedent, Ultra-Premium Collection and Premium Collection products featuring Mega Darkrai ex are widely expected.

Why Pitch Black Matters for Collectors

The Mega Evolution series has been the defining product line of 2025 and 2026, and Pitch Black continues that momentum with a theme that the entire community has been waiting for. Dark-type Pokémon have historically generated some of the most striking and collector-beloved artwork in the TCG, and a full set built around Mega Darkrai ex and the aesthetic of Pokémon Legends: Z-A gives the art team a creative canvas unlike anything in the Mega Evolution series so far.

The 6 SIR slots are the cards to watch. With only six guaranteed Special Illustration Rares across the entire set, each one carries enormous weight, and with Mega Darkrai ex as the flagship, at least one of those slots is expected to become one of the most sought-after SIRs of the year.

For sealed product collectors, the ETB Zarude Illustration Rare promo is a product-exclusive that will not be available in booster packs under any circumstances, making the Elite Trainer Box the most important sealed product to secure at launch.