Letter to the Community - July 9, 2026
Greetings Pokémon TCG Live Community,
As 2026 speeds onward, the 2026 Pokémon World Championships are now less than two months away. As one of the biggest moments of the year approaches, get excited for some legendary content releases to lead you up to it! From a new expansion and exciting ways to enjoy its new cards to sweet reward distributions via our social media accounts, here’s the rundown on what’s coming next in Pokémon TCG Live.
The Darkest Mega Evolutions Arrive in Mega Evolution—Pitch Black!
It’s always darkest before the dawn as Mega Evolution—Pitch Black prepares to release in Pokémon TCG Live on July 16, 2026. Play with powerful new Pokémon like Mega Darkrai ex, whose Dusk Raid attack can do 220 damage to your opponent’s Active Pokémon…as long as at least one of your Benched Pokémon is damaged. You can also use Abyss Eye, a stunning attack that can instantly Knock Out your opponent’s Active Pokémon! If control is more your speed, Mega Chandelure ex’s Binding Flame Ability increases your opponent’s Retreat Cost while powering up its Phantom Maze attack at the same time.
To make the most of these amazing cards, enjoy the following play opportunities:
- Receive a Mega Darkrai ex deck to start out, and then participate in the Battle Pass to earn a Mega Chandelure ex deck, Mega Chandelure themed deck accessories, and Mega Darkrai themed clothing for your avatar!
- Use your two new decks to climb another extended-length Ranked Ladder! As you progress further, you can earn additional pieces and eventually complete the Master Ball Deck Accessory Set.
- Visit the Learning Lab to check out new specialized lessons that will help you get the most out of both of Mega Darkrai ex’s powerful attacks.
- Experiment with Mega Evolution—Pitch Black cards in Build & Battle Mode, where you can practice your skills and rack up rewards!
- Hit the books and continue adjusting decks in the current format with the return of the Champion’s Training Ground Trainer Trial. We recognize the importance of thorough preparation in the lead-up to Worlds, and this format offers additional time for players to finish tweaking existing decks before throwing Mega Evolution—Pitch Black cards into the mix.
- Check out our X and Bluesky accounts throughout the campaign for redemption passcodes offering a variety of rewards including some gorgeous Pokémon Center Card Sleeves!
Gifts and Games on the Road to the 2026 World Championships!
While the above may already sound exciting, we’re just warming up. As we reach August, where Worlds will be just weeks away, Pokémon TCG Live will be gearing up to help you be the best there ever was. Whether you’re an intense competitor or interested in something more laid-back and casual, we’ve got you covered.
- The fan-favorite Gym Leader Challenge returns to Trainer Trials! We’re proud to use the time surrounding one of the biggest moments of the year to celebrate the fan-made format that’s become a staple of Expanded play!
- Try your hand with Scarlet & Violet—Journey Together in Build & Battle Mode for a fun and refreshing blend of both casual and competitive play.
That’s not all, however. You’ll be able to tune in to the 2026 Pokémon World Championships on Twitch once the event starts to get exclusive themed cosmetics and other rewards for Pokémon TCG Live, and our social accounts will be distributing even more gifts to claim throughout the event weekend!
More Deck Editor Improvements Now Live!
Just in time for all your World Championships deck building needs, even more improvements are coming to the Deck Editor, including adding new filter options and making it easier to build decks for specific game modes on devices that run in Landscape mode.
For full details on the latest updates to the Deck Editor experience, as well as a recap of other recent changes in case you missed them, check out our dedicated Deck Editor forum post.
Enjoy the World Championships and Beyond in Pokémon TCG Live
With one of the largest Pokémon TCG Live content drops of 2026, we’re thrilled to share this adventure with you during one of the most important times of the year. We hope you’ll be back for even more after Worlds, because things are still just getting started.
Good luck in your matches!
The Pokémon TCG Live Development Team