Costco Unveils Incredible Pokémon Trading Card Offer for 2026

If you’re a Pokémon trading card enthusiast, you know how challenging it can be to track down the Ascended Heroes set at retail prices. The most sought-after Pokémon set of 2026 has become a hot commodity, attracting both fans and scalpers, which has led to a tough resale market. However, warehouse club Costco is set to shake things up in this frustrating landscape.

Reports from Costco employees and various Discord channels indicate that the membership-only retailer will receive a shipment of Ascended Heroes Elite Trainer Boxes during the week of September 14, 2026. Photos have surfaced showing these highly desired boxes priced at just $42 at Costco—significantly lower than the manufacturer’s suggested retail price and a far cry from the soaring market price of $160. Costco is expected to limit purchases to two boxes per membership, allowing Pokémon fans to potentially snag a couple of ETBs for less than the cost of a single box on the resale market.

Keep in mind, you’ll need a membership to shop there.

While there isn’t a specific release date, internal tracking documents suggest that shipments were on the move the weekend before September 14. These boxes will be distributed across the country, meaning different stores will receive their shipments at varying times. Once a store gets its stock, employees will need to put it on the shelves, and each location will decide when to do that. So, while boxes are likely to show up this week, the exact timing will depend on your local Costco.

Each store is expected to receive around 360 ETBs, but with a limit of two per membership, only about 180 people will be able to grab a box. It’s unlikely that anyone who knows about this promotion will only buy one. Social media is already buzzing with videos of fans lining up outside their local Costcos, even though they might not know if the product is in stock yet.

Currently, 111 Costco locations are confirmed to receive Ascended Heroes this week, with the majority situated on the West Coast (35 stores) and in the Southwest (33 stores). While the Midwest isn’t completely left out, it might be wise to call your local store before setting up camp.

If you’re not planning to visit the store yourself, you have a couple of options. First, you can look for regional restock groups on platforms like Facebook or Discord, where members often check stores daily for new drops. Just be aware that there might be a lag between when these users spot the product and when you hear about it, even with notifications enabled. Posts may not be shared immediately, or they might require moderator approval.

Alternatively, you can call your local Costco as soon as it opens and ask about item number 2022324. If your store isn’t listed, this is a good way to confirm whether it’s participating in the promotion.

Walmart’s Collectibles Drawing system is also set to launch with a Prismatic Evolutions Elite Trainer Box.