Pokémon prereleases and pre-orders: how they work
A Pokémon prerelease is an in-store event held roughly ten days to two weeks before a set comes out, where you play with the new cards using a Build & Battle Box. A pre-order, on the other hand, means reserving a product before release so you get it as soon as it arrives. Both let you plan ahead, but they're not the same thing at all: here's how each one works.
The prerelease: play before everyone else
Prereleases are official Play! Pokémon events. They take place in participating shops, known as Play! Pokémon Stores, before a set's official release date. The idea: discover the new cards by playing them, in a relaxed atmosphere.
A concrete example with the next set, Mega Evolution – Delta Reign: it releases on 6 November 2026, and participating stores can sell its Build & Battle Box from 24 October 2026 for their prerelease events.
What's in a Build & Battle Box
According to the official announcement for Delta Reign, each Build & Battle Box contains:
- 4 booster packs from the new set;
- a ready-to-play 40-card deck, with key cards from current and past sets;
- one foil promo card out of four possible.
You combine the deck with the cards from your boosters to build your own list. Since the contents vary from one box to the next, it's a great deckbuilding exercise.
The prerelease format
You don't play by the usual tournament rules. The prerelease format uses a 40-card deck and 4 Prize cards, instead of the 60 cards and 6 Prize cards of the standard format. The result: shorter games, ideal for beginners and for experienced players who want to try out the new cards.
To find an event near you, in Belgium or France, use the official Play! Pokémon Event Locator. If you can't make it, don't worry: Build & Battle Boxes are also sold when the set officially releases.
The pre-order: reserving a product in advance
A pre-order has nothing to do with playing: it's a purchase. You let a shop know you want a product before it's released, so you're served when it arrives. It's particularly useful for:
- highly anticipated products, such as the premium collections of an anniversary set;
- Japanese releases, which often arrive several months before the French versions;
- products announced for later, such as part of the 30th Celebration range expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Terms (deposit, lead times, quantities) vary from shop to shop. At Rarix, the simplest way is to add the product to your request list or contact us: we'll get back to you with up-to-date information.
Good habits before pre-ordering
- Check the official date: a date announced by The Pokémon Company beats a rumour. Our release calendar only lists confirmed dates.
- Identify the product precisely: language, exact name, contents. "30th anniversary box" can mean a dozen different products.
- Beware of offers that look too good: a product "in stock" long before its official announcement should raise suspicion. Our guide spotting a fake booster box can help.
- Set your budget: pre-ordering several products in advance means committing to spending spread out over time.
Prerelease or pre-order: which to choose?
| Prerelease | Pre-order | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Play and discover the cards | Reserve a product |
| When? | Before the release date | Before the release date, delivered afterwards |
| Where? | Participating Play! Pokémon Stores | Shops that offer reservations |
| What you get | Build & Battle Box | The product you chose (booster box, collection box…) |
Nothing stops you doing both: play the prerelease to discover the set, then reserve the product that won you over. Browse our Pokémon catalogue and the 30th Celebration range.
FAQ
Do you need to be an experienced player to join a prerelease?
No. The 40-card, 4-Prize-card format is designed precisely for quick, accessible games, beginners included. Our guide getting started with the Pokémon TCG covers the basics.
Can you buy a Build & Battle Box without playing the prerelease?
Yes: according to The Pokémon Company, these boxes are also available when the set officially releases.
Can you choose your prerelease promo card?
No. For Delta Reign, each Build & Battle Box contains one foil promo card out of four possible: you find out which when you open the box.
How do I know whether an upcoming product will be available at Rarix?
Add it to your request list or contact us: we'll keep you posted on its availability.