The Most Expensive 30th Celebration Pokémon Cards
We’re getting the first ever simultaneous worldwide release of a Pokémon TCG set this September 16, 2026 when the massively anticipated 30th Celebrations releases everywhere. While Japan typically gets sets ahead of the rest of the world, this time every Pokémon TCG fan everywhere can experience the magic of cracking packs and pulling their top chase card at the same time.
As cool as that is, the cards you’ll be hunting for in this set are even cooler. Below, we’ll be looking at both the officially confirmed top chase cards in the set as well as those that will most likely be included in the set but have yet to have official confirmation. Of course, this set’s release date is still far away so these are just my speculations based on my insights into monitoring the Pokémon TCG singles market.
Wondering which cards are officially confirmed while others are still rumored? Just look at the card image: cards with the Pikachu “30” stamp are officially confirmed. Those without are speculative (but highly likely).
#1 Mew Futuristic Rare is the most expensive 30th Celebration Pokémon card
Futuristic Rarity cards are a brand new rarity entering the Pokémon TCG with 30th Celebration. Pokémon loves to print new and exclusive rarities: some of these become a permanent fixture of the collecting/investing landscape while others are unique to a specific set. While we don’t know yet which this rarity will be, my guess is it’s an exclusive to the 30th Celebration much in the same way the Black White Rare are exclusive to the special Black Bolt & White Flare sets that released in the middle of 2025.
Of course, this is a fact that won’t hurt their perceived value. However, what will impact their value the most is just how hard they are to pull. If they’re as hard to pull as Mega Hyper Rare cards, for example, then you’ll likely see these Futuristic Rare cards shoot up in value well above even the BWR Victini, Reshiram, and Zekrom cards from Black Bolt and White Flare.
Mew cards are really, really hot right now on the secondary card market in general, so my pick for the top chase card overall from 30th Celebration is this Mew Futuristic Rare. Again – assuming it’s as hard to pull as a Mega Hyper Rare, we’re looking at a $1000+ card easily here.
Also one more note – while the main value of this card is as a whale of chase – if this card is also legal for competitive play (and I don’t see why it wouldn’t be) it could be a very, very strong attacker. While its low HP is something of an issue, the last time we had a Mew capable of using attacks from the bench that deck was top tier for years.
#2 Mewtwo Futuristic Rare
I think the point of having a rarity called “futuristic” isn’t just that it sounds cool and matches the card’s aesthetic. Rather, this is likely more about telling the story of the Pokémon TCG’s future. While the 30 classic collection cards highlight Pokémon’s past, and the “new” cards added to the set highlight its present, these Futuristic Rare cards point to Pokémon’s future.
Of course, Pokémon’s future overall looks very, very solid. Its revenue is growing at an insane rate, and Pokémon card values seem to keep going up on the secondary card market.
And paving that way to the inevitable future is this Mewtwo ex. While Mewtwo cards are rarely as valuable as the cuter and mythical Mew, I certainly would not count out this behemoth of a secondary chase card. It could still reach that $1000 mark on the secondary card market, although my guess is it will be worth more in the upper-hundreds than lower thousands as the Mew ex is likely to see.
Regardless, what an epic crown jewel of a pair of chase cards these “Futuristic” Rare cards are. And while no other “Futuristic Rares” have been spoiled, you never know! Maybe some other Futuristic Rare cards are waiting in the fold having yet to be revealed.
#3 Charizard 30th Celebration
While the one-of-a-kind Futuristic Rare cards seem most likely to take the top chase card spots, it’s not hard to imagine what card might be next. The Base Set Charizard is so legendary for its value regardless of its print run that it essentially is the definition of a chase card. And while you won’t be cashing this particular Charizard in for the $100,000+ you would a graded Shadowless version, you can still expect some solid value from it. To get an idea of what kind of monetary value this card is likely to fetch on the secondary card market, there’s one card in particular we should analyze: the Base Set Charizard reprint we got in Celebrations.
Charizard
Celebrations: Classic Collection • Classic Collection
Market Value
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As you can see via the live market price above, Charizard from Celebrations is worth a lot of money. And I can see the 30th Celebration Charizard potentially being worth even more on the secondary card market at first, driven by the set’s likely insane demand (think Ascended Heroes level hype but much worse) and the clear bankability by Pokémon’s original chase card.
#4 Crystal Lugia 30th Celebration
If we’re going to be SUPER technical about it, then the Luga Aquapolis reprint has not officially been confirmed for 30th Celebration. Technically. However, it’s been included in multiple officially released teaser videos so you can basically assume it’s included in the set. And that’s HUGE for collectors. This card is basically legendary amongst in-the-know Pokémon card collectors, with the original print going for thousands of dollars on TCGPlayer.
E-Reader cards look funny but that’s part of their charm, clearly denoting the very special era of the Pokémon TCG from whence they come. Assuming we get this classic beast of a card, collectors are going to go wild for it. It’s not going to be worth the same kind of money as the likes of the original or even the Futuristic Rare cards. But you’ll likely see it fetching even more than the Umbreon Star card did back in Celebrations.
Umbreon Star
Celebrations: Classic Collection • Classic Collection
Market Value
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#5 Magikarp Illustration Rare
This Magikarp has a bit of a history behind it, and it’s one of those more rumored-about cards than officially confirmed. Still, there’s compelling evidence that we will be getting a reprint of this more recent “classic” card in the 30th Celebration. I certainly hope we do. If I could credit any single Pokémon card with kicking off the craze we see currently in the market – with random but cool Illustration Rare cards punching way above their weight in value, it would be this one. Indeed, this Magikarp was the first such Illustration Rare card to gain noteriety for its insane market price relative to its rarity.
Magikarp - 203/193
Paldea Evolved • Illustration Rare
Market Value
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Given this is a reprint it may not reach the lofty price tag of the original. However, crazed excitement for the set could drive demand so high that it reaches something close. Either way, it’s a unique part of Pokémon TCG history that’s worthy of inclusion in a set like this, despite being relatively recent.
#6 Pikachu
The Pikachu reprint is highly likely and has (like the Lugia) been teased consistently by trailers from the Pokémon Company. As such, it seems a virtual certainty that this card will be included in the 30th Celebration set. The question I have, however, is in what slot? Will this be one of the 30 classic cards or one of the guaranteed foil Pikachu cards included with each pack?
Evidence suggests the former, but either way one thing is highly likely: this reprinted Pikachu could end up being one of the most valuable in the set.
#7 Lapras Illustration Rare
I’m feeling really strongly about this Lapras Illustration Rare. After all, this set isn’t just about the classic cards: there are plenty of net new ones, too. Already this card is getting plenty of attention online, and it’s one of the more instantly attractive Illustration Rare cards officially revealed as part of the set.
When it comes to sleeper IR chase cards, my money is the Lapras for this set’s sleeper chase.
#8 Shining Celebi
I would be stoked to pull the Shining Celebi. Although it’s not the most expensive card getting a reprint on the set, its first edition print is truly high value while it’s unlimited relatively affordable relative to its era. Celebi is such a cool, early Pokémon in general, though, and its shining form has been seen in Pokémon films like Secrets of the Jungle and more. It’s hard for me to imagine a world where this card doesn’t end up on the top chase cards list for 30th Celebration.
#9 Pikachu & Zekrom GX
Pikachu & Zekrom is a legendary card for competitive players. Yet it also has the benefit of featuring two popular Pokémon in one card. It’s a somewhat odd tag team that oddly works. Original prints of this card aren’t necessarily worth a fortune, but you could see this one taking a positive trend on the secondary card market when the set releases its (officially confirmed) reprint.
#10 Random Pikachu 30th Foil
Finally, I have to share my theory about the Pikachu foil cards. You’ll notice in the card above that it has essentially two numbers. First is its set number, which essentially shows where the card fits into the bigger 30th Celebration set. Second is its Pikachu number, or where it fits into the 30 Pikachu promos list. And while every pack will have one of these Pikachu cards in them, I have a really strong feeling that one of these Pikachu promos will be way more popular and in demand than the rest.
I do have to say this is purely speculation, but given how big a part of the collecting experience is, it seems likely that one Pikachu card will be held up as the GOAT of all the Pikachu cards. It could be the #1, or maybe a Pikachu from a very popular era. Or maybe one Pikachu ends up being way more valuable than the rest.
Regardless, having a Pikachu in every pack is such a unique pack opening mechanic that I wouldn’t be surprised to see it have some effect on the secondary card market as well.
Of course, these prices and rankings are all speculative based on my (admittedly extensive) experience tracking market trends and Pokémon TCG card values. Expect some curveballs when the set comes out. There really hasn’t been anything quite like this set in the TCGs history so we really can’t fully know how things will land until they do!
