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What is the Prerelease program?

Updated

Pokémon TCG Prerelease events allow players to purchase and play with cards from upcoming expansions up to two weeks before the set’s official release date. The Pokémon Prerelease program is available to eligible Pokémon Leagues.

Prerelease consists of the following steps. Note that this information is for general purposes only and may vary. Please check your emails from Play! Pokémon for the most accurate information about each Prerelease.

  1. A new set is announced to Leagues eligible for Prerelease.
  2. Play! Pokémon sends out solicitation emails to eligible Leagues.
  3. Leagues have until the end of the solicitation period to fill out the reservation form on the Retailer Portal.
  4. Play! Pokémon informs resellers of eligible Leagues that have completed the reservation form.
  5. Leagues may order from their selected reseller during the ordering window.
  6. Play! Pokémon informs Leagues via email that the sanctioning window is open.
  7. Leagues sanction Prerelease events in Play! Tools during the sanctioning window.
  8. Leagues run Prerelease events using Tournament Operations Manager (TOM).
  9. Leagues report Prerelease events in Play! Tools.
  10. The new set is fully released.

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