Next drop
Mega Evolution—Delta Reign · Fri, November 6, 2026
On the calendar
Prerelease: Mega Evolution—Delta Reign
Sat, October 24, 2026 → Sun, November 1, 2026
Play it early at participating stores — most Chicagoland game shops run prereleases. Call ahead.
Mega Evolution—Delta Reign
Fri, November 6, 2026
ME06, headlined by Mega Rayquaza ex. Drop-day Friday — expect ETBs, booster bundles, and binders same day.
Aura Seeker (Japan)
Fri, November 27, 2026
Japanese release — imports hit Chicagoland shops (Pastimes, TACTICIANS, etc.) within 1–2 weeks.
Next mainline English set
Fri, January 29, 2027
Not officially announced; based on the 2026 cadence (Jan/Mar/May/Jul/Sep/Nov). Placeholder — treat as rumor until Pokémon announces.
The drop-day playbook
How Chicagoland hunters actually work a release — big-box timing, restock windows, and when to skip the roulette.
Drop day is Friday (usually)
Main English sets release on Fridays. Target and Walmart typically set shelves Thursday night or Friday morning — the serious hunts are Friday open and Saturday morning.
Restock windows beat release day
Miss the drop? Product re-lands midweek (Tue–Thu) at most big-box stores. Check the Restock Radar before burning gas — hunter reports tell you what actually hit the shelf.
Five Below = sleepers
Five Belows get surprise stock (mini tins, older sets) with zero announcement. Cheap per-hit odds when you're already out — that's why they're on the Run Planner.
Local shops preorders > big-box luck
Chicagoland card shops (Pastimes, Dice Dojo, Good Games...) take preorders and hold stock. No 6am Walmart roulette. The Shop Hub has the map.
2026, so far
Dates via pokemon.com · pokebeach · tcgplayer — updated 2026-10-10. Projected dates are estimates, not announcements.