Pokémon Company Reveals New Split TCG Expansions: Black Bolt and White Flare

The Pokémon Company has announced a new split expansion for the Pokémon TCG, continuing the Scarlet & Violet series. Titled Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet: White Flare, both expansions will release on July 18, 2025, at participating retailers worldwide.

The expansions focus on the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region. Each Unova Pokémon will appear as either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card, with different versions available in Black Bolt and White Flare products.

Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt will feature the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, while Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will feature Reshiram. Both sets will introduce three types of parallel foil patterns, including two that display either a rainbow Poké Ball or Master Ball design across the card.

The expansions will also bring back card elements from the Black & White series, such as nostalgic foil styles and Basic Energy cards using the original Black & White series designs.

Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare Preorders

Preorders for Black Bolt and White Flare haven’t been confirmed yet, but they’re expected to go live around mid-May. That timeline matches the reveal-to-preorder window we saw with another 2025 release: Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals, which launches this month.

Stay locked to IGN for preorder updates and wider Pokémon TCG stock news, and follow @IGNDeals on Twitter for the latest drops. In the meantime, here are the confirmed release dates for each set in the new Black Bolt and White Flare expansions.

Available July 18, 2025:

• Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt or White Flare Elite Trainer Box, each containing nine booster packs, an illustration rare promo card featuring Thundurus or Tornadus, and gameplay accessories
• Binder Collection, including five booster packs and a nine-pocket album featuring Zekrom or Reshiram
• Unova Poster Collection, with two booster packs from each expansion, three promo cards featuring Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, and a full-size double-sided poster
• Unova Mini Tin, including one booster pack from each expansion, one art card, and one sticker card

Available August 1, 2025:

• Tech Sticker Collection, with three booster packs, a promo card featuring Reuniclus or Gothitelle, and a themed sticker sheet
• Unova Victini Illustration Collection, with four booster packs, a foil promo card featuring Victini, a premium parallel Poké Ball version of Victini, and an oversized foil card

Available August 22, 2025:

• Booster Bundle, including six booster packs from either Black Bolt or White Flare

Key Features Across Both Expansions:

• Six Pokémon ex
• Eight ultra rare Pokémon and Supporter cards
• One illustration rare or special illustration rare card for each Unova Pokémon
• One special illustration rare Supporter card

A new card style, called Black White rare, will also debut. These cards will feature full artwork in either black or white monochrome, depending on the expansion.

Players will also be able to access Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and White Flare digitally starting July 17, 2025, through the Pokémon TCG Live app on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. The digital release allows players to collect and battle with new Unova-region cards and earn in-game login bonuses.

More details on the expansion, preorders, and card previews are expected in the coming weeks.

Pokémon TCG: Today's Best Deals

A solid mix of Pokemon TCG products are back in stock today, including some standout deals. The Infernape V set offers four booster packs, including Sword & Shield-era packs, plus a foil Infernape V, foil Empoleon, and a jumbo card, all for less than what you'd pay on the secondary market.

For something more collectible, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box includes four boosters, a random Eeveelution promo (some reselling for $15 to $60), and a storage box with dividers.

Looking for singles instead of sealed? Scroll down for our top picks from the crashers and climbers of this week.

Pokémon TCG Single Deals: Top Crashers of the Week

Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.

Includes contributions from Robert Anderson.