Physical TCG · Formats · June 8, 2026

Pokemon TCG formats and the 2026 rotation

The physical Pokemon TCG has two sanctioned constructed formats. Standard uses only recent sets and rotates once a year. Expanded is a much larger, non-rotating pool. Almost all official play, and the TCG Live ladder, is Standard. As of June 8, 2026 the Standard pool is the "H-on" rotation, meaning every legal card has a regulation mark of H or later.

The Standard format rotated on April 10, 2026 (March 26 on TCG Live). Cards with the G regulation mark are no longer legal. Only H, I, J and later marks are playable, a state players call "H-on". This rotated out the first year of Scarlet and Violet sets (Scarlet and Violet base through Paldean Fates), which retired several older staples.

Standard vs Expanded

Both formats build a deck of exactly 60 cards and follow the same core rules. The difference is the card pool they draw from and how it is kept in check.

Standard

The default format

The most played and most supported format. A smaller, current pool from the last few years that rotates annually. This is what you play at most events and on the TCG Live ranked ladder.

Expanded

The deep pool

A non-rotating pool that includes every set from Black and White (2011) onward, more than ten thousand cards. A long ban list keeps the oldest combos in check. Seen at select events and in side play.

Aspect	Standard	Expanded
Card pool	Recent sets only (regulation marks H, I, J and later)	Every set from Black and White (2011) to the present
Rotation	Rotates once a year, around April	Does not rotate. The pool only grows.
Ban list	Very small. The pool is kept healthy by rotation	Large. A long banned-card and banned-rule-box list manages old combos
Where it is used	The default for almost every official event and for TCG Live ladder	A handful of special events and side play. Less common day to day
Best for	New and returning players. A smaller, current pool to learn	Veterans who own older cards and enjoy deep combo decks

The 2026 "H-on" Standard rotation

Pokemon thins the Standard pool once a year to keep the format healthy. The 2026 rotation took effect on April 10, 2026 for in-person Play! Pokemon events and on March 26, 2026 on Pokemon TCG Live. It retired the G regulation mark, so the oldest legal mark is now H. Players call this the "H-on" format.

Regulation marks at a glance

F Rotated out

Sword and Shield era. Rotated out in the 2025 rotation.

G Rotated out

First year of Scarlet and Violet. Rotated out April 10, 2026.

H Legal

Temporal Forces onward. Oldest currently legal mark, the "H" in "H-on".

I Legal

Stellar Crown and Surging Sparks era. Legal.

J Legal

Mega Evolution series, including Chaos Rising. Legal.

What rotated out

The G mark covered the first year of Scarlet and Violet. These sets supplied the bulk of what left the format. Remember that legality follows the regulation mark, not the set, so a reprint of an older card in a newer set can still be legal.

Scarlet and Violet base
Paldea Evolved
Obsidian Flames
Scarlet and Violet 151
Paradox Rift
Paldean Fates

When is the next rotation?

Pokemon rotates Standard roughly once a year, usually announcing the change in the winter and applying it in the spring. The next rotation, expected to retire the H mark, should follow the same yearly pattern. The exact 2027 date has not been announced as of June 8, 2026, so we will not guess at it here.

Deck legality basics

These rules hold in every constructed format. They are the first things a judge or the TCG Live deck validator will check.

Exactly 60 cards

A constructed deck is always 60 cards, no more and no fewer. There is no sideboard.

Four-of limit

You may include up to four cards with the same name. Basic Energy is the exception, with no limit.

Legal printings only

Every card must be legal in the format you are playing. In Standard that means a legal regulation mark.

At least one Basic Pokemon

Your deck must contain at least one Basic Pokemon, since you cannot start a game without one in play.

New to building? Read our how to play guide for the full deck construction rules and turn structure, or see the current Standard meta tier list for the decks winning right now.

Formats FAQ

What is the current Pokemon TCG Standard rotation in 2026?

As of June 2026 the Standard format is the "H-on" rotation. Cards with regulation marks H, I, J and later are legal, and the G regulation mark rotated out on April 10, 2026 for in-person Play! Pokemon events (March 26, 2026 on Pokemon TCG Live). Legality is set by the regulation mark printed at the bottom of each card, not by which set it came from.

What is the difference between Standard and Expanded?

Standard uses only recent sets and rotates once a year, so the legal pool stays small and current. Expanded is a much larger, non-rotating pool that includes every set from Black and White (2011) to the present, managed by a long ban list instead of rotation. Both formats use 60-card decks with the same core rules.

What rotated out of Standard in 2026?

The G regulation mark rotated out, which covers the first year of Scarlet and Violet sets: Scarlet and Violet base, Paldea Evolved, Obsidian Flames, Scarlet and Violet 151, Paradox Rift, and Paldean Fates. Because legality follows the regulation mark, a reprint of an older card in a newer set with a legal mark can still be played.

When is the next Standard rotation?

Pokemon rotates the Standard format about once a year, with the change usually announced in the winter and taking effect in the spring. The 2026 rotation took effect on April 10. A 2027 rotation that retires the H mark is expected to follow the same yearly pattern, but the exact date has not been announced yet.

How do I check if a card is legal in Standard?

Look at the small letter printed at the bottom of the card, next to the set and collector number. That is the regulation mark. If it is H, I, J or a later letter, the card is legal in the current Standard format. If it is G or earlier, it has rotated out.

How many copies of a card can I run?

Up to four cards with the same name in a 60-card deck. The only exception is Basic Energy, which you can include in any quantity. This four-of limit applies in both Standard and Expanded.

Sources, as of June 8, 2026

Rotation facts are taken from the official Pokemon.com announcement and cross-checked against Bulbapedia and the PokeGym legal-card list. Format definitions follow the official rules and community references below.