We've had quite a rocky start to the Mega Evolution era of cards, as the prices of all Pokémon TCG — from sealed product to raw cards and graded cards — are beginning to turn downward. 2025 ended with the arrow pointing down on the market as a whole, but 2026 may see a big rebound as it looks like it'll be jam-packed with exclusives, restocks, reprints, and much more.
With the new printing facility lease that will expand product printing capabilities in 2026, the 30th anniversary of Pokémon coming in March 2026, and healthy, steady demand for Pokémon cards, a lot of us are asking: What's worth buying right now? Should I just get out of the hobby while it's good? Will this year be the year I go broke on Pokémon cards?
Here's what I'll personally be doing in 2026.
I Am Always Buying Sealed Product — But Not Just Any Sealed Product
I'm buying two things this year: PokemonCenter.com exclusive ETBs and any Scarlet and Violet era booster boxes and booster bundles that restock/reprint at MSRP.
As an outside observer, the distribution strategy for Pokémon product has shifted away from servicing smaller retail businesses toward big-box retail. Simplifying B2B channels and working with fewer wholesale distributors gives them further control over how product is disseminated to the end customer.
This means you can expect the ramp-up in printing production to directly funnel into retailers that can handle large wholesale quantities so that store shelves can be flooded. They want Pokémon product to be so available that kids can find it in stores again without an issue.
What I'll be doing specifically in 2026:
- Using my monitor service to hit PokemonCenter.com ETBs
- Buying booster boxes of Scarlet and Violet era sets
- Picking up booster bundles at Target/Walmart restocks
- Buying UPC bundles from Costco/Sam's Club whenever I can
The way I see sealed product I mentioned above is like stashing gold bars. Sealed product ensures your collection is future-proofed for value — you will always have the option to flip it for money later on.
I Am Avoiding Chase Card Singles from Mega Evolution Sets
There's a significant gap between chase cards and the rest of the hits in these Mega Evolution sets, which is why I'm avoiding buying chase singles from Mega Evolution sets right now.
I'm focusing on illustration rares and the less-hyped SIRs, and waiting for the top chases to fall a bit more in price before picking them up.
There are so many sets and cards releasing, and Pokémon has truly won with their illustration rares. And now that Pokémon has started to configure collector-centric English sets (like Prismatic Evolution), we should see sets aimed directly at collectors loaded with top-tier chase cards that are strategically limited, while mainline, competitive-relevant sets are regularly restocked.
Raw singles are still the most volatile and riskiest buys if you're looking to build a collection that has future value. But the whole reason why we love the TCG at all is because of the cards. So don't deny yourself the thrill of obtaining your favorite cards — just avoid spending top dollar on the top chases of the most current sets. Aim for your favorite illustration rares, fill your binder, and patiently wait for older chase cards to settle down in value.
What About PSA Graded Cards?
I've been a huge proponent of PSA cards, believing they hold their value best over time. And I still wholeheartedly believe you are better off buying the PSA 10 of your favorite modern card.
But if you're like me — limited in budget and what you can spend on a consistent basis — I have passed on the opportunity to buy a PSA 10 in favor of saving my money for the next Target restock or the next set's PokemonCenter.com release.
We're scaling back PSA 10 buying altogether. I have a few top chase PSA 10s on my list, and will focus primarily on Scarlet and Violet and older PSA 10s.
Mega Evolution era is introducing so many new cards into the competitive scene, and for the next two years, if the new printing facility is any indication, we're going to be flooded with product like never before. When sealed product becomes affordable again, the PSA 10s are going to see a massive pullback in value. If you can, skip PSA 10s from Mega Evolution right now until the dust settles.
If you're hesitating, just follow one simple rule: stick to the Charizards, the Pikachus, the Umbreons, or any of the super popular Pokémon with multiple PSA chase cards in the $1,000+ range. That way, you can be assured there will always be a fan of that card now and in the future.
The Bottom Line
It's really time to lock in now. If you're new to the hobby, notice I said nothing about ripping packs and hitting chases. There's just no room in the hobby right now — you can't expect to get back enough value from opening any product, so keep as much of your sealed product sealed, and eye your booster bundles for a quick rip hit.
Keep as much of your sealed product sealed. Build your collection with illustration rares and older chase cards at fair prices. And let the Mega Evolution dust settle before you start buying into the top chases from the newest sets.