Pokemon TCG's next English Mega Evolution set now has a summer date. Mega Evolution: Pitch Black is scheduled to arrive on July 17, 2026, with Mega Darkrai ex leading a darker wave of cards for the physical trading card game.

The English set follows Abyss Eye, the Japanese Mega Evolution expansion due out on May 22. The official Japanese Pokemon Card page lists Abyss Eye as a five-card-per-pack release priced at 200 yen, with Mega Darkrai ex positioned around a Special Condition setup that can knock out an opposing Active Pokemon regardless of remaining HP.

Mega Darkrai ex headlines the set

Pitch Black is being framed around Mega Darkrai ex, matching the Pokemon's long-running "Pitch-Black Pokemon" identity. Retailer product details for the English expansion also mention Mega Zeraora ex, Mega Chandelure ex and Mega Excadrill ex, with the set advertised as containing more than 115 cards, more than 20 Trainer cards and more than 35 special illustration cards featuring Pokemon and Trainers.

The Japanese Abyss Eye reveal gives a clearer look at why Darkrai is the focus. Its Abyss Eye attack works when the opponent's Active Pokemon is affected by a Special Condition, while other revealed cards lean into that setup. Dark Bell confuses both Active Pokemon unless they are Darkness type, and Malamar can apply Confusion before following up with a Darkness Energy attack against a confused target.

Pitch Black products start rolling out in July

The main Pitch Black booster products are listed for July 17. Product information published by PHD Games includes booster displays, three-booster blisters, checklane blister displays, booster bundles and an Elite Trainer Box for that date. Build & Battle Box displays are listed separately for July 31, with each box including a 40-card ready-to-play deck, four Pitch Black booster packs and a code card for Pokemon TCG Live.

That timing puts Pitch Black shortly after Mega Evolution: Chaos Rising, the next English set due on May 22. It also keeps the English card game close to Japan's 2026 Mega Evolution schedule, where Abyss Eye arrives in May and Storm Emerald, a Mega Rayquaza ex-themed set, is scheduled for July 31.

Pitch Black's full English card list has not been revealed yet, so the exact mix of Abyss Eye cards and any additional English-set choices still needs confirmation. The date and product lineup already make the set one for Pokemon TCG collectors to watch, especially if Mega Darkrai ex becomes as central to the meta as its knockout-focused design suggests.