Home News > Pokémon TCG Unveils New Expansions: Black Bolt, White Flare

Pokémon TCG Unveils New Expansions: Black Bolt, White Flare

by Thomas May 22,2025

The Pokémon Company has exciting news for fans of the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), as they've announced a new split expansion in the ongoing Scarlet & Violet series. Scheduled for release on July 18, 2025, at participating retailers worldwide, the expansions titled Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt and Scarlet & Violet: White Flare promise to bring fresh excitement to collectors and players alike.

These expansions will focus on the 156 Pokémon originally discovered in the Unova region, showcasing each in either an illustration rare or a special illustration rare card format. Fans can expect different versions of these cards to be available in the Black Bolt and White Flare products, adding variety and collectibility to the sets.

Scarlet & Violet: White Flare and Black Bolt - English Reveal

View 7 Images

Scarlet & Violet: Black Bolt will feature the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, while Scarlet & Violet: White Flare will spotlight 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, enhancing their aesthetic appeal.

Adding a nostalgic touch, the expansions will bring back elements from the Black & White series, such as the iconic foil styles and Basic Energy cards using the original Black & White series designs, bridging the past with the present.

Pokémon TCG: Black Bolt and White Flare Preorders

While preorders for Black Bolt and White Flare haven't been officially confirmed yet, they are expected to go live around mid-May. This timeline aligns with the reveal-to-preorder window observed with another 2025 release, Pokémon TCG: Destined Rivals, set to launch this month.

For the latest updates on preorders and stock availability, keep an eye on IGN and follow @IGNDeals on Twitter. Below are the confirmed release dates for the various products in the new Black Bolt and White Flare expansions.

Pokémon TCG - Scarlet & Violet: White Flare - Credit: The Pokémon Company### 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

### Prismatic Evolutions Surprise Box

$79.00 save 24% - $59.99 at Amazon

### Surging Sparks Booster Bundle

$54.90 save 9% - $49.99 at Amazon

### 151 Poster Collection

$40.97 at Amazon

### Infernape V Box

$43.99 at Amazon

### Terapagos ex Ultra-Premium

$142.92 at Amazon

### Shrouded Fable ETB

$66.86 at Amazon

### Paldean Fates Booster Bundle

$69.45 save 8% - $63.99 at Amazon

### 2004 Pokéball Bundle

$59.99 save 15% - $50.90 at Amazon

### 2004 Pokéball Bundle

$59.99 save 16% - $50.38 at Amazon

### Surging Sparks Booster Box

$275.65 save 4% - $265.99 at Amazon

A variety of Pokémon TCG products are currently back in stock, featuring 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 at a price lower than what you'd typically find on the secondary market.

For collectors looking for something special, the Prismatic Evolutions Eevee ex box includes four boosters, a random Eeveelution promo (some of which resell for $15 to $60), and a storage box with dividers, making it a great addition to any collection.

If you're interested in single cards rather than sealed products, scroll down to see our top picks from this week's crashers and climbers.