The official Japanese Pokémon TCG website has announced a new promo campaign to distribute Special Art promo cards. Players that buy 2 boxes (60 packs) of the expansion pack Silver Lance can get a Sadaija V Special Art promo card. Players that buy 2 boxes (60 packs) of the expansion pack Jet-Black Spirit will receive the Celebi V Special Art promo card. The campaign period starts on April 23rd, 2021 and the cards will be available while supplies last at participating stores in Japan.

Sadaija V (サダイジャV) Ability: Sand Wall - This Pokemon takes 30 less damage from attacks. Move: Land Crush - 140 Damage	Celebi V (セレビィV) Move #1: New Leaf Dance - Attach any number of Grass Energy from your hand to your Pokemon in any way you like. Move #2: Slash Back - Switch this Pokemon with 1 of your Benched Pokémon. 60 Damage

Source: https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2021/20210402_002856.html

The Pokémon Company International unveiled the next expansion for the best-selling Pokémon Trading Card Game, Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign on March 31st, 2021 and it launched around the world on June 18th, 2021. High resolution images from the press release have been added to an Imageboard thread.

New Pokémon Trading Card Game: Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign Expansion Introduces More Battle Styles Cards—Plus Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos, and Galarian Moltres

Inspired by The Crown Tundra expansion for the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games, Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign introduces over 70 new Battle Styles cards for Trainers to improve their Single Strike or Rapid Strike deck.


Calyrex will make its Pokémon TCG debut as a Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX in both Ice Rider and Shadow Rider forms, allowing players to bolster their decks, or create new ones, centered around this powerful Pokémon that will deliver exciting gameplay strategies. In addition, Trainers can look forward to playing with many new Pokémon V and Pokémon VMAX, including cards featuring Galarian Articuno, Galarian Zapdos, and Galarian Moltres.

Trainers interested in playing with the expansion before it launches can do so by grabbing the Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign Build & Battle Box, available through their local participating Pokémon TCG retailer starting June 5. Each box contains four Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign booster packs; a 23-card Evolution pack featuring key cards from current and prior sets, including one of four alternate-art promo cards; and a deck-building tip sheet.

Available in booster packs, special collections, and two versions of the Elite Trainer Box featuring Ice Rider Calyrex and Shadow Rider Calyrex, the full Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign expansion includes the following:

• Eight Pokémon VMAX
• 15 Pokémon V and 26 full-art Pokémon V
• 28 Trainer cards and 13 full-art Supporter cards
• Three new Special Energy cards

Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign Elite Trainer Box

Channel the power of some of the Galar region's most powerful Pokémon with the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign Elite Trainer Box. The mighty Calyrex might have a reputation for showing mercy, but Ice Rider Calyrex and Shadow Rider Calyrex VMAX remain formidable foes that no Pokémon Trainer would wish to encounter in battle. Combine that strength with the Legendary Pokémon Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres in their Galarian forms to engage any Trainer in battle with confidence and versatility. For the Trainer who's determined to deliver crushing defeat, the Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign Elite Trainer Box is a good place to start.

The Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign Elite Trainer Box includes:

• 8 Pokémon TCG: Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign booster packs
• 65 card sleeves featuring Ice Rider Calyrex or Shadow Rider Calyrex
• 45 Pokémon TCG Energy cards
• A player's guide to the Sword & Shield—Chilling Reign expansion
• A Pokémon TCG rulebook
• 6 damage-counter dice
• 1 competition-legal coin-flip die
• 2 acrylic condition markers
• A collector's box to hold everything, with 4 dividers to keep it organized
• A code card for the Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

The official Pokémon website has announced the Pokémon Players Cup IV which will begin in April 2021.

Pokémon Players Cup IV Begins April 2021, Includes Pokémon TCG and Video Games

Get the info you need to participate in and watch the Pokémon TCG, Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, and Pokkén Tournament DX competition.

The Pokémon Players Cup IV online tournament is approaching, Trainers. This exciting competition will take place April through July 2021, and it will see some of the best Pokémon Trainers from around the world square off to win a share of $45,000 in prizes and, perhaps more importantly, bragging rights as one of the top Pokémon Trainers in the world. Participation in the Pokémon Players Cup IV is open to all Masters Division players, and the tournament will take place entirely online.

There will be three separate competitions in the Pokémon Players Cup IV—one featuring the Pokémon Trading Card Game, one featuring the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video games, and one featuring the Pokkén Tournament DX video game.

Eligible competitors can earn their places in the Region Qualifiers through qualifying events. To participate in these events, players MUST have a Pokémon Trainer Club account and have a Player ID before the first phase of a Players Cup tournament. Pokémon TCG players also need to have logged in to the Pokémon TCG Online with a Player ID attached to their PTC account between January 16, 2021, and April 16, 2021, to participate.

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield video game players will battle in the Pokémon Players Cup IV Qualifier to lock in a spot for the Region Qualifiers. Video game players need to have linked their Pokémon Trainer Club account to their Nintendo account before the Pokémon Players Cup IV Qualifier begins. See details for video game participants.

Pokémon TCG players will compete in tournaments during a qualifying period in the Pokémon TCG Online. See details for Pokémon TCG participants.

Pokkén Tournament DX players will compete in Online Qualifiers within their region. All players will be required to register online before the qualification date and will need an account with both Discord and Battlefy to participate. See details for Pokkén Tournament DX participants.

All Pokémon Players Cup IV events will be streamed to fans can watch the thrilling battles and cheer on their favorite competitors. You can follow along here on Pokemon.com, on Twitch, or on YouTube. Our team of experts will be on hand to provide insightful commentary on all the action. Get details on Pokémon Players Cup IV streaming.

About the Pokémon Players Cup IV

The fourth installment of the Pokémon Players Cup is an online tournament taking place from April through late July 2021. Players from around the world will have the opportunity to prove their mettle as Pokémon Trainers. Battle against other Trainers around the world to win a share of $45,000 in prizes and, perhaps more importantly, bragging rights as one of the top Pokémon Trainers in the world!

The fourth Pokémon Players Cup will feature three separate competitions—one for Pokémon TCG players, one for video game players featuring Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, and one for Pokkén Tournament DX players. The video game competition will use the Pokémon Video Game Championships (VGC) rules. Participation in the Pokémon Players Cup IV is limited to Masters Division players. Additional eligibility rules may apply.

The Pokémon Players Cup IV will take place in three phases: an open qualifier, a Region Qualifier round, and the Global Finals. Be sure to check out the Pokémon TCG event, the video game event, and the Pokkén Tournament DX event pages for information including scheduling, prizes, and more.

The players who come out on top in the qualifier stages will be eligible to compete in the final stage of the Pokémon Players Cup IV in July. Matches will be broadcast on the official Pokémon Twitch and YouTube channels. Learn more on the Pokémon Players Cup IV stream information page.

Qualifying for the Pokémon Players Cup IV Global Finals

From the Pokémon Players Cup IV Region Qualifiers, the following numbers of players will be selected to compete in the finals.

Pokémon Trading Card Game Online

• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup IV North America Region Qualifier
• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup IV Europe Region Qualifier
• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup IV Latin America Region Qualifier
• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup IV Oceania Region Qualifier

Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield

• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup IV North America Region Qualifier
• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup IV Europe Region Qualifier
• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup IV Latin America Region Qualifier
• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup IV Oceania Region Qualifier

Pokkén Tournament DX

• 4 players from the Pokémon Players Cup IV North America Region Qualifier
• 3 players from the Pokémon Players Cup IV Europe Region Qualifier
• 1 player from the Pokémon Players Cup IV Oceania Region Qualifier

The Oceania rating zone comprises only Australia and New Zealand.

Prizes

• Pokémon Trading Card Game Online based on final standings from the Global Finals:
  • 1st: $5,000
  • 2nd: $3,500
  • 3rd: $2,500
  • 4th: $2,000
  • T-5th: $1,250
  • T-7th: $750
  • T-9th: $500
  • T-13th: $250
• Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield based on final standings from the Global Finals:
  • 1st: $5,000
  • 2nd: $3,500
  • 3rd: $2,500
  • 4th: $2,000
  • T-5th: $1,250
  • T-7th: $750
  • T-9th: $500
  • T-13th: $250
• Pokkén Tournament DX based on final standings from the Global Finals:
  • 1st: $1,250
  • 2nd: $1,000
  • 3rd: $750
  • 4th: $600
  • T-5th: $450
  • T-7th: $250
• Eligible players who qualify for the Region Qualifiers for the Pokémon TCG or video game competition (or the Global Finals for Pokkén Tournament DX) and who also have a Pokémon TCG Online account will receive a special in-game deck box and card sleeves. Players must have logged in to the Pokémon TCG Online with their participating Pokémon Trainer Club account at least once prior to the start of the Region Qualifiers in order to receive these items—they will not be retroactively granted if players do not complete this step on time.

Good luck in the Pokémon Players Cup IV, Trainers!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/play-pokemon/pokemon-players-cup-iv/about/

GameStop will be distributing a Flapple Pokémon TCG promo card from March 19th, 2021 to April 19th, 2021. To be eligible, patrons must spend $15 USD or more on Pokémon TCG products to get the promo card. Supplies are limited and may run out before the time period concludes.


Also at GameStop is a Pikachu and Scorbunny Collectible Bag for $4.99 USD. Those that buy the bag can get 20% off all Funko Pops! at GameStop.


Source: https://twitter.com/GameStop/status/1372639461218078725

On Friday, April 23rd, 2021, the Pokémon Card Game Expansion Set: Silver Lance & Jet-Black Spirit will be released and a special Pokémon Center/Pokémon Store Set will be available. This product features an illustration of Melon, which conveys her love for Laplace, as well as a large illustration of Budrex in its Ice Rider Calyrex and Shadow Rider Calyrex forms.

NOTE: Despite the name of the set specifically being called a "Pokémon Center and Pokémon Store Set", this product will initially be sold by lottery at the Pokémon Center Online. The official Pokémon Card Game news article also notes that they will not be able to respond to any inquiries regarding the future availability of this product or other Pokémon cards.

The deck shield and deck case feature an illustration of Melon, while the large card box features an illustration of Budrex.


Looking at the deck shield, the illustration of Melon carefully holding the Dynamax Ball is impressive. The expression on Laplace's face as it receives Melon's affection seems to put it at ease, but we can also sense that it is determined to perform well in response to Melon's love.


There's also Korippo and Yukihami on the sides of the deck case, seemingly cheering on Melon and Laplace!


The card box features an illustration of the Budrex in its Ice Rider Calyrex and Shadow Rider Calyrex forms that also appears on the product packaging of the Silver Lance and Jet-Black Spirit booster packs.

Product Details:

Product Name: Pokémon Card Game Expansion Set: Silver Lance & Jet-Black Spirit Pokémon Center and Pokémon Store Set
拡張パック 白銀のランス＆漆黒のガイスト ポケモンセンター・ポケモンストアセット
Available at: The Pokémon Center Online. This product is not available at the Pokémon Center and Pokémon Store.
Release Date: April 23rd, 2021
Suggested Retail Price: 11,000 yen (tax included)
Size: 23.5×20.5×8.5 cm
Weight: 1.0kg
Product Number: 4521329322278

Product Contents:

• Pokémon Card Game Expansion Set: Silver Lance x 1BOX (30 packs)
• Pokémon Card Game Expansion Set: Jet-Black Spirit x 1BOX (30 packs)
• Deck Shield Melon x 64 units
• Deck Case Melon x 1
• Large capacity card box x 1

Lottery Process / Reason for No Sales at the Pokémon Centers and the Pokémon Stores

In order to ensure the safety of their customers, they will not be selling this product at the Pokémon Centers or the Pokémon Stores due to the expected heavy traffic. For more details, please click here.

A lottery will be held from 10:00 a.m. on April 1st, 2021 until 23:59 p.m. on April 7th, 2021. Notification of lottery results will be sent via e-mail after April 16th, 2021.

To enter the drawing, you need to be a registered member of the Pokémon Center Online and log in. The quantity is limited. If the number of applications received exceeds the number of products available during the lottery sales application period, there will be no sales after April 23rd, 2021. Please understand this in advance. Please note that only one entry per person is allowed.

Sources: https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2021/20210312_002831.html

The Pokémon Company has announced the 2021 Play! Pokémon Professor Cup Tournaments which will take place online and are open to Professors in the Play! Pokémon program.

Complete in 2021 Play! Pokémon Professor Cup Tournaments

These global online Pokémon TCG tournaments are open to Professors in the Play! Pokémon program. Pokémon Professors, pay heed. Prepare to participate in playoffs to prove your Pokémon Trading Card Game proficiency. That's right—Pokémon Professors from around the world are invited to take part in the new 2021 series of online Professor Cup tournaments. These events are a way to say thanks to the Professors who have helped fans and players enjoy Play! Pokémon activities during the hiatus of the Championship Series.

Schedule and Prizes

Professors will have four opportunities to compete in these online events throughout the year, and everyone who does will receive a special in-game set of card sleeves and a deck box for their Pokémon Trading Game Online account. The highest-placing Professors will also earn commemorative trophies and an exclusive messenger bag featuring the powerful Water-type Pokémon Blastoise. Other prizes, such as Professor-branded playmats, notebooks, and booster packs of the latest Pokémon TCG expansion, are also available to win.

The online Professor Cup tournaments will take place at the following times:

• Professor Cup Spring
  • Saturday, April 17, 2021, beginning at 8 a.m. PDT (with top cut on April 24, 2021)
• Professor Cup Summer
  • Saturday, July 10, 2021, beginning at 11 a.m. PDT (with top cut on July 17, 2021)
• Professor Cup Fall
  • Saturday, October 2, 2021, beginning at 4 p.m. PDT (with top cut on October 9, 2021)
• Professor Cup Winter
  • Saturday, December 11, 2021, beginning at 3 a.m. PST (with top cut on December 18, 2021)

Qualifications and Registration

The online Professor Cup tournaments are open to all Professors in good standing with Play! Pokémon who meet either of the following criteria:

• Have a Stage 1 or Stage 2 certification
• Have earned 50 or more Professor Points since:
  • January 1, 2021 (for Professor Cup Spring)
  • April 1, 2021 (for Professor Cup Summer)
  • July 1, 2021 (for Professor Cup Fall)
  • October 1, 2021 (for Professor Cup Winter)

Visit the Professor Cup section of the Pokémon Organized Play forums for more details, to register for these special tournaments, and to find opportunities to earn Professor Points.

Pokémon Professor Webinars and Seminars

You can keep in touch and learn alongside your fellow Professors with the Pokémon Professor Webinar Series. These monthly sessions focus on a distinct topic relevant to Professors, providing valuable insight from experts and program veterans. Attendees will receive 10 Professor Points for each Webinar they attend.

You can take a look at the Pokémon Professor Webinar schedule, and be sure to check back often as more sessions will be added as the season progresses.

Pokémon Professors from around the world also continue to help one another learn, grow, and strengthen their local communities by running regular monthly activities including seminars and workshops within the program. Each activity offers at leave five Professor Points to all who participate.

Visit the Professor Seminar section of the Pokémon Organized Play forums for more details, including topics, timing, and registration.

Thank you again, Pokémon Professors, for your hard work and dedication. Good luck in the Professor Cup tournaments!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/complete-in-2021-play-pokemon-professor-cup-tournaments/

The official Pokémon website as now officially revealed that specially marked General Mills Cereal Boxes contain a special three-card Pokémon TCG booster pack. Many stores have had these in stock since February 2021.

Three-card Pokémon TCG booster packs in General Mills Cereal Boxes

Go cuckoo for Pokémon TCG cards with General Mills for a limited time.

If you're looking for an excuse to eat delicious cereal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Pokémon Trading Card Game is dishing up the perfect opportunity. For a limited time, select General Mills cereals including Golden Grahams, Trix, Cocoa Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, and Lucky Charms will contain a special three-card Pokémon TCG booster pack. Each pack will contain one foil Pikachu card and two additional Pokémon. In total, there are 14 unique collectible cards—although the Galarian Ponyta card will only be available in family-sized cereal boxes at Walmart.

This mouth-watering opportunity to celebrate 25 years of Pokémon while eating your favorite cereal is only available for a limited time!

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/three-card-pokemon-tcg-booster-packs-in-general-mills-cereal-boxes/

The official Pokémon website has announced that Qualifiers for the Pokémon Team Challenge - Summer 2021 kick off April 3rd, 2021 for this global online challenge, with a Grand Final taking place in August 2021.

Compete in the Play! Pokémon Team Challenge—Summer 2021

Qualifiers kick off April 3 for this global online challenge, with a Grand Final taking place in August.

The Play! Pokémon Team Challenge—Summer 2021 is underway, offering Masters Division players of the Pokémon Trading Card Game an opportunity to participate in the global online tournament. This challenge is the second Pokémon TCG Online tournament of its kind, offering stores the opportunity to organize competitive teams, and helping players connect with their local stores and other players. Registration for participating stores has already begun and will continue through May 2.

The tournament will take place in two stages over a five-month period. Participating stores will host four TCGO Qualifier Tournaments from April 3 to June 6. The winners of these competitions will form a four-person Store Team. From June through August, Store Teams will compete in bracket match tournaments with the winning Store Team advancing in each round. Finally, in August, the top two Store Teams will compete in a Grand Final.

Registration for players begins March 26. Masters Division players born in 2004 or earlier are eligible. Interested players can use the Store Finder to locate the nearest participating store.

The competition is open to Masters Division players around the world, including:

• North America: Canada, United States of America (including Puerto Rico)
• Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Ireland, Italy, Jersey, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
• Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil (players must be 18 or over), Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

Source: https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/compete-in-the-play-pokemon-team-challenge-summer-2021/

Starting on Saturday, March 13th, 2021, the Let's Have Fun! Spring, Pokécard (楽しもう。春、ポケカ。) campaign to give away a sticker and promo cards will be held at Pokémon Card Gyms nationwide in Japan. The number of promo items is limited. If you purchase at least one box or 30 packs at a store, you will receive a set of four promo cards including: Potdeath, Galarian Mr. Rime, Dedenne and Horubee.


Source: https://www.pokemon-card.com/info/2021/20210305_002815.html

Niantic has announced that to celebrate the Pokémon Trading Card Games 25th anniversary, Professor Willow will appear as a Pokémon TCG card in the summer of 2021.

A collaboration has been finalized between Pokémon GO and the Pokémon Trading Card Game!

Trainers, A collaboration has been finalized between Pokémon GO and the Pokémon Trading Card Game!

2021 marks the 25th anniversary of the release of Pokémon Red and Pokémon Green. And, just like the video games, the Pokémon Trading Card Game is also celebrating its 25th anniversary. To celebrate, we are doing a collaboration between Pokémon GO and the Pokémon Trading Card Game!

In part 1 of the collaboration, Professor Willow will appear as a Pokémon TCG card in summer 2021, which marks the five-year anniversary of the release of Pokémon GO! We plan for this card to be obtainable in regions around the world where the Pokémon TCG is sold.

Starting in late May 2021, we plan to announce the art and content of the Professor Willow card and details on how to get the card in each area. We will make announcements as further collaborations are determined, so we hope you will look forward to those!

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a two-player, head-to-head trading card game based on the Pokémon video game series. You can experience the fun of collecting Pokémon TCG cards, building your own deck, and using it in Pokémon battles.

Source: https://pokemongolive.com/post/pcg-professor-willow