Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Pitch Black — Release Date, Cards & Everything You Need to Know (July 2026)
15 May 2026
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Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution—Pitch Black is officially the next big Pokémon TCG expansion — and it's arriving faster than you think. Featuring Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex, all making their first-ever appearance in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, this is a set that collectors and competitive players alike are already circling on their calendars. Here's everything you need to know before July 17, 2026.
Quick Stats: Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution—Pitch Black
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Set Name | Mega Evolution—Pitch Black |
| Set Code | ME05 |
| Series | Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Series (5th English expansion) |
| English Release Date | July 17, 2026 |
| Prerelease Events | July 4–12, 2026 at participating local game stores |
| Digital Release | July 16, 2026 on Pokémon TCG Live (iOS, Android, macOS, Windows) |
| Japanese Source Set | Abyss Eye — released May 22, 2026 in Japan |
| Total Cards | 115+ cards (including 20+ Trainer cards and 35+ special illustration cards) |
| Flagship Pokémon | Mega Darkrai ex |
| ETB Promo | Zarude Illustration Rare (ETB exclusive) |
| Publisher | The Pokémon Company International |
What Is Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution—Pitch Black?
Pitch Black is the fifth English expansion in the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Series — the brand-new TCG series launched in September 2025 that introduced Mega Evolution Pokémon ex to the modern card game. Previous sets in the series include ME01 Mega Evolution, Phantasmal Flames (ME02), Perfect Order (ME03), and Chaos Rising (ME04).
Pitch Black is based on Japan's Abyss Eye expansion, which releases in Japan on May 22, 2026 — giving English players approximately six weeks of Japanese data to study before the set arrives here. Like the previous Mega Evolution era sets, Pitch Black is a focused, compact expansion rather than a large combined set, keeping the card pool tight and chase density high.
The set's name is a direct tribute to Darkrai's lore — Darkrai is officially known as the "Pitch-Black Pokémon" in the Pokédex, making Pitch Black one of the most thematically cohesive set names in recent Pokémon TCG history.
The Four Mega Evolution Pokémon ex in Pitch Black
All four headline Mega Evolution Pokémon ex in Pitch Black originate from the Mega Dimension DLC for Pokémon Legends: Z-A — canonical Mega Evolutions that exist only within that DLC and have never appeared in any previous Pokémon game. That makes every Mega ex you pull from this set a true first-appearance card in the Pokémon TCG.
🌑 Mega Darkrai ex — The Set's Cover Card
Mega Darkrai ex is the star of Pitch Black — and arguably the most anticipated Mega Evolution reveal in the TCG community since Mega Greninja ex in Chaos Rising. Darkrai is a fan-favourite Mythical Pokémon from the Diamond & Pearl era, known for its haunting dream-related powers and striking black silhouette design. Mega Darkrai ex arrives with mystery and malice, and the community has already placed it as the set's primary chase card at every rarity — Double Rare, Illustration Rare, Special Illustration Rare, and the Mega Hyper Rare gold card.
⚡ Mega Zeraora ex — A Mythical Makes Its Mega Debut
Mega Zeraora ex is one of the most exciting reveals for Zeraora fans — the fan-favourite Electric-type Mythical from Sword & Shield fights back with thunderous strikes of lightning, getting its first-ever Mega Evolution form through the Legends: Z-A DLC. Zeraora has a passionate collector base that makes this a dual chase card alongside Darkrai.
🕯️ Mega Chandelure ex — Ghost/Fire Type Joins the Roster
Mega Chandelure ex brings the beloved Ghost/Fire-type candelabra Pokémon into the Mega Evolution era. Its spectral design is expected to produce some of the most visually striking illustration artwork in the set — collectors who love the eerie aesthetic of Chandelure's line have a lot to look forward to here.
⛏️ Mega Excadrill ex — Ground/Steel Power
Mega Excadrill ex completes the Pitch Black lineup with a Ground/Steel-type Mega that brings a completely different visual identity to the set — industrial, raw, and powerful.
Pitch Black Products — What's Available
The full Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution—Pitch Black product lineup has been officially confirmed. Here's everything releasing July 17, 2026:
| Product | Contents |
|---|---|
| Booster Box | 36 booster packs (10 cards each) |
| Elite Trainer Box | 9 packs + Zarude Illustration Rare promo + 65 sleeves + accessories |
| Pokémon Center ETB | 11 packs + stamped Zarude promo + exclusive accessories |
| Booster Bundle | 6 booster packs |
| Sleeved Booster Pack | Single pack in hanger sleeve — 4 pack art designs |
| Build & Battle Box | 4 packs + 40-card prerelease deck (prerelease only, July 4–12) |
The Zarude Illustration Rare ETB promo is the standout product-exclusive of this release — Zarude is a Dark/Grass-type Mythical Pokémon whose typing ties directly into Pitch Black's shadow aesthetic, making it one of the most thematically fitting ETB promos in the series.
Pitch Black Prerelease Events — July 4–12, 2026
Want to play with Pitch Black cards before launch day? Prereleases will take place from July 4th to July 12th at participating independent retailers. Prerelease events use the Build & Battle Box format — you receive 4 Pitch Black packs and a 40-card ready-to-play prerelease deck, then build a 40-card deck to compete on the spot.
Prerelease events are one of the best ways to experience a new Pokémon TCG set before the general public — and they're a great spot to open early Pitch Black packs in a community setting. Check with your local game store for event details and registration.
Pokémon TCG Live — Digital Release July 16
Players will be able to play with the Mega Evolution—Pitch Black expansion starting July 16, 2026, in Pokémon TCG Live for iOS, Android, macOS and Windows devices — one day before the physical release. In-game login bonuses will be available at launch. Every booster pack purchased physically includes a Pokémon TCG Live code card for digital redemption.
Why Pitch Black Is Worth Pre-Ordering
A few reasons this set has strong pre-order demand:
- Four first-appearance TCG cards — every Mega ex in this set is appearing in the Pokémon TCG for the first time, which historically drives collector demand for first-print copies
- Mega Darkrai ex — Darkrai is one of the most beloved Mythical Pokémon in the franchise, and its Mega Evolution was one of the most requested reveals since the Mega Evolution Series launched
- Compact set, concentrated chase — at 115+ cards, Pitch Black is a smaller set with high illustration density (35+ special illustration cards). Smaller sets typically mean less "filler" per pack and more consistent high-rarity hits
- Pokémon TCG product scarcity — Pokémon TCG product has been increasingly hard to get a hold of in recent months, so fans will want to make sure they get their hands on this set as soon as they can
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A DLC connection — with the game still fresh in players' minds, the DLC Mega Evolutions carry strong cross-platform hype from the gaming community into the TCG
Pitch Black FAQ
When does Pokémon TCG Pitch Black release?
Mega Evolution—Pitch Black arrives on July 17, 2026 at participating retailers worldwide. Prerelease events run July 4–12 at local game stores, and the digital release on Pokémon TCG Live is July 16.
What Mega Evolution Pokémon are in Pitch Black?
The expansion features Mega Darkrai ex, Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex, and Mega Excadrill ex — all making their first-ever Pokémon TCG appearances from the Mega Dimension DLC of Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
How many cards are in Pitch Black?
Pitch Black includes over 115 cards, including more than 20 Trainer cards and over 35 cards with special illustrations of both Pokémon and Trainers.
What is the ETB promo for Pitch Black?
The set's Elite Trainer Box promo will be a new Zarude Illustration Rare — exclusive to the ETB and not available in any booster pack.
What is the Japanese version of Pitch Black?
Pitch Black will be an almost 1:1 copy of Japan's Abyss Eye set, which releases on May 22nd.
Can I buy Pokémon TCG Pitch Black in Canada?
Yes — God Pack Games ships Pokémon TCG products across Canada and the USA. Pre-order Pitch Black here ahead of the July 17 launch.
We'll update this post as more cards are revealed ahead of the July 17 launch. Follow us on social for the latest Pitch Black reveals, pull rate data, and when pre-orders go live. In the meantime, browse our full Pokémon TCG collection at God Pack Games.
