The clouds have parted, and The Pokémon Company International has officially revealed Delta Reign - the latest Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion set to launch on November 6, 2026, in the West. Following a surprise joint trailer, Mega Rayquaza is the star of this set, returning to the tabletop scenes after being last spotted in 2021 as part of the legendary Evolving Skies expansion.

Delta Reign will arrive as the fifth, and likely final, main expansion of 2026. Right now, all fans have is a teaser trailer that gives a glimpse at the majestic Mega Rayquaza ex card.

​One interesting thing about this set was how it was revealed. Delta Reign is supporting a theory brewing in fan communities about a new era of global synchronicity. The official reveal of the set was slipped into a surprise reveal trailer alongside Pokémon TCG Pocket’s Rayquaza-themed Ruler of the Skies set, releasing on July 30. Storm Emeralda (Japan’s version of Delta Reign) releases on July 31. This is the first time that TPCi has synchronised a cross-platform release around a single Pokémon. With the 30th Celebration expansion releasing simultaneously globally on September 16, 2026, who knows what the future of Pokémon TCG has in store for us?

Long-time fans of Pokémon TCG will remember how instrumental Rayquaza was in shifting the third-party resale market. The Rayquaza VMAX (Alternate Art Secret) from Evolving Skies is one of the most iconic cards of all time, currently sitting at a high of $1,044.19 on TCGPlayer. Fun fact - Rayquaza was the first Legendary Dragon-type Pokémon ever, and remains a fan-favourite to this day, so it’s no surprise that its cards can fetch a pretty penny. Karen of Johto’s Elite Four famously said: “Strong Pokémon. Weak Pokémon. That is only the selfish perception of people. Truly skilled trainers should try to win with their favourites”. My favourite Pokémon just so happens to be a meteor-mashing, giant, hyper-destructive Legendary that has terrorised nearly every format of competitive Poké Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire. Completely coincidentally, of course.

The initial card tease of Mega Rayquaza ex has fans hyped, but deeply anxious about how they’re actually going to get their hands on the expansion. Over on r/PokemonTCG, one fan says, "I love Rayquaza but this set is gonna be insane to even find," while others openly worry that resellers will make the set entirely unaffordable for everyday fans.

Fortunately, since the chaos of Ascended Heroes, The Pokémon Company International (TPCi) has actively implemented stronger defence over the last few months. To try and curb anti-social behaviour, bots and secondary-market price gouging, TPCi banned vendors from selling Japanese Pokémon Centre items, products over $1,000, or graded slabs at official Play! Pokémon events, such as the recent North American International Championships.

​Despite the inevitable secondary-market pressure, buying at Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) is always the best bet. Not only is it better for your wallet, but it can also help tackle the price gouging we see in this hobby. TPCi hasn’t released any official information on Delta Reign’s pricing model yet, but we can expect it to follow in the expansions before - Booster Packs for $4.99 / £4.99, and Elite Trainer Boxes (ETBs) for $49.99 / £49.99.

​Want to secure your pre-orders now?

No pre-orders have gone live for Delta Reign yet, but based on past release patterns, fans can expect pre-orders to open in late summer 2026, likely around early to mid-August. Keep this page bookmarked for more information as soon as we have it! Given that Rayquaza cards have some of the highest non-vintage price ceilings in the hobby, and given what we know about the popularity of Pokémon TCG even when it’s not a beloved Legendary as the mascot, initial allocations are bound to sell out the moment they drop. You’ll definitely want to lock this one in before it’s too late.

​To boost your chances of securing Delta Reign at baseline MSRP, you should keep close tabs on standard flagship retailers like the Pokémon Centre, GameStop, Best Buy, and Amazon. If you want to try your luck at local card shops on release day, it’s best to get in touch with your Local Game Store (LGS).

​As for when pre-orders will go live, March’s Chaos Rising broke traditional drop windows and surprised buyers with pre-orders dropping a few days out from launch. While this could happen with Delta Reign, it’s widely expected that pre-orders will surface a few weeks after the late-summer rush.

​If you’re too late to secure a pre-order, it’s not the end of the world. Hit up your local prerelease event, likely running from October 24 to November 1st, 2026, to get a Build & Battle Box two weeks before the official retail release. Each kit comes with a 40-card ready-to-play Evolution deck, an exclusive stamped black-star promo card and four Delta Reign booster packs. Best of all, you can play early!

​For hot deals, active links, and news the second allocations go live, turn on your notifications for IGNDeals on X and keep this hub bookmarked. Joining Discord channels or following social media accounts dedicated to TCG restocks can also help you spot listings right away.

Sara Heritage is a freelance journalist for IGN, specialising in Pokémon TCG. When she's not gaming, you’ll probably find her building yet another LEGO set she absolutely did not need, or chaining ranked matches in Pokémon Champions.