Pokémon reveals ‘Delta Reign’ illustration rare card – exclusively on NME

The Pokémon Company has teamed up with NME to give fans an exclusive first-look at a new special illustration rare card from the upcoming ‘Delta Reign’ expansion, as well as the standard version – check the two Pokémon cards out below:

• READ MORE: ‘Elden Ring’ saved Serena Cherry’s life – so she made an extreme metal album about it

The 30th anniversary Pokémon trading card set only launched last week (September 15) but The Pokémon Company are already looking to what comes next.

‘Mega Evolution – Delta Reign’ will be released November 6 and introduce more than one hundred new cards to the TCG. For the first time since 2015’s ‘XY – Ancient Origins’, fan-favourite Mega Rayquaza is returning to the TCG alongside Mega Golurk ex, Mega Malamar ex and Mega Golisopod ex.

In total, ‘Delta Reign’ will feature six ex cards, four Mega Evolution ex and six Stadium cards, which can be used to create Legendary Stadiums. “Legendary Stadiums are created by combining two Stadium cards, played as a pair and creating an extended artwork when placed next to each other,” explains a press release. “Booster packs containing a Legendary Stadium include both halves required to form this new feature.”

WATCH

‘Delta Reign’ also includes 14 illustration rare Pokémon cards, 17 ultra rares and six special illustration rare.

You can see an exclusive first-look at the English language illustration rare Pincurchin card below (with artwork fromTetsu Kayama) alongside the standard Pinchurchin.

Pre-orders for the ‘Mega Evolution – Delta Reign’ expansion, which will be available in booster packs, Elite Trainer Boxes and various collection tins and boxes, haven’t gone live on the Pokemon Centre’s website yet.

Players will also have the opportunity to play with the new Mega Evolution—Delta Reign expansion before launch by attending one of the many Prerelease tournaments held as part of the Play! Pokémon program. These will begin October 24 and you can find your nearest local card shop here. From November 5, fans will also be able to view the Mega Evolution—Delta Reign expansion via the Pokémon TCG Live app.

Last week, cosy game Pokémon Pokopia won the first Game Of The Year award of 2026 at the Japan Game Awards, beating out Silent Hill f, Kirby Air Riders, Death Stranding 2 and Donkey Kong Bananza.