October 1, 2026
SentIt was a massive weekend for competitive Pokémon with three Regionals across the globe. The early meta is taking shape, with some surprising decks making huge waves in Baltimore, Frankfurt, and Brisbane.
🏆tournament results
Three Regionals Shape the Early Meta
Alakazam/Dusknoir put on a clinic to win Frankfurt, while Hydrapple ex secured a strong second-place finish in Baltimore. The results from these three simultaneous events give us our first major look at the post-rotation landscape.
A Look Back at Truwin Tran's Worlds Journey
Play Pokémon has released a new 'Trainer Journey' video spotlighting Truwin Tran's path to the 2026 World Championships. It's a great piece on the dedication it takes to compete at the highest level.
📊meta analysis
Is Alakazam/Dusknoir the Deck to Beat?
Following its dominant performance in Frankfurt, everyone is talking about the power of Alakazam/Dusknoir's damage spread. Meanwhile, players are debating the best way to build Festival Lead and whether Slowking has what it takes to counter the emerging top threats.
The Best Pokémon TCG Decks Right Now (October 2026)
Read on TCGPlayer ↗
These Are The Criteria/Framework That Makes A Strong, Winning Pokémon TCG Deck
Discuss on r/pkmntcg ↗
@HarprTCG: Just realised mew with prism is so good for attacks on evo Pokemon with a 1 energy attack, was playi…
Discuss on @HarprTCG (Twitter) ↗
Alakazam with Dusknoir is so good!
Watch on KantoTrainerJanJan (YouTube) ↗
Why has Grimmsnarl ex fallen off, and what would it take to bring it back?
Discuss on r/pkmntcg ↗
📅event announcement
Official Team Tournaments and New League Prizes
A new 'Pokémon Team Masters' event has been announced for Seoul, introducing an exciting official team-based format. Also, check out the new acrylic standee prizes for Pokémon League in October, featuring Mega Charizard X, Gengar, and Kangaskhan.
New Pokémon League Prizes Are Coming in October
Read on Pokémon.com ↗
【公式】「Pokémon Team Masters」開催決定！
Watch on ポケモン公式YouTubeチャンネル (YouTube) ↗
More coverage
@thefleeee: Team tournament?? Seoul visit in January?
Discuss on @thefleeee (Twitter) ↗
The First Ever Pokemon TCG Team Tournament Is HERE!
Watch on Rahul Reddy (YouTube) ↗
@FullGripTCG: Pokemon players! Our League Cup is this Saturday! Compete for the FIRST chance at qualifying for the…
Discuss on @FullGripTCG (Twitter) ↗
📰news
The Hunt for 30th Celebration Products Continues
Players and collectors are still scrambling to find 30th Celebration products, with big box stores like Costco and Target being the latest battlegrounds. The community continues to share stories of both frustrating scalper encounters and successful finds.
@FB_WSB: You can preorder 30th UPC online on @gamestop
Discuss on @FB_WSB (Twitter) ↗
Did Scalpers Ruin Target’s Pokemon 30th Anniversary Celebration Family Event?
Watch on UmU (YouTube) ↗
@VHSDVDBLURAY4K: Target manager tears Pokémon scalpers to shreds
Discuss on @VHSDVDBLURAY4K (Twitter) ↗
Ripping Pokémon 30th Celebration with REDMAN! 🔥👀
Watch on TobiasEats (YouTube) ↗
🚨Pokemon 30th Celebrations ETB Booster Bundle Combo Costco!🚨 #pokemonnews #pokemoncards #pokemontcg
Watch on PokeRestockRadar (YouTube) ↗
Weird Rulings, PTCGL Shenanigans, and Market Talk
The community is buzzing with discussions about strange card interactions, like a weird Ditto ruling and Samurott's potential as a free Prime Catcher. As always, players are sharing hilarious and painful moments from their games on PTCGL.
@JessePrker: Hands down the best modern basic energy design we've had in a long time!
Discuss on @JessePrker (Twitter) ↗
This Is Not How This Should Be Coded In PTCGL #pokemon #pokemontcg #ptcgl
Watch on AzulGG (YouTube) ↗
Pokemon Card Scalpers are Using a 12 Year Old Death to Promote $20,000 Ebay Listing
Watch on UmU (YouTube) ↗
This weird Ditto ruling makes no sense!
Watch on TrustYourPilot Pokemon (YouTube) ↗
MSRP is IMPOSSIBLE! (Here's Why)
Watch on Danny Phantump (YouTube) ↗
💬community
How to Bounce Back From a Bad Tournament Day
After a big weekend of events, players are sharing how they recover from a rough tournament run and manage their energy during long days. It's a great reminder that mindset is just as important as your matchup spread.
How do you guys feel/recover after a "bad" Regional day?
Discuss on r/pkmntcg ↗
@thefleeee: If people all agree to stop playing Judge I can go back to playing my boy
Discuss on @thefleeee (Twitter) ↗
What do you do to clear your headspace and reset?
Discuss on r/pkmntcg ↗
Realistic goals for a busy dad 😅
Discuss on r/pkmntcg ↗
@ExhaleTCG: “I can’t compete with the jobless” I felt that lmao
Discuss on @ExhaleTCG (Twitter) ↗