Interest in Pokémon TCG Pocket pack openings is on the decline.

Fewer Pokémon enthusiasts are diving into virtual booster packs in Pokémon TCG Pocket compared to last year, as the popular mobile game experiences a significant decline in monthly players.

Between April and June 2026, the card-collecting mobile game averaged about 23 million monthly active users, according to the latest financial data from DeNA, which co-develops and operates the game. This marks a drop from approximately 39 million during the same timeframe last year, reflecting a decrease of around 41%.

However, the decline doesn’t seem to be accelerating. DeNA reported an average of 24 million monthly active users in the previous quarter, indicating a loss of about one million players from quarter to quarter. The company is now focusing on strategies to encourage more frequent logins, enhance player retention, and boost overall activity.

This could involve providing players with more incentives to check in regularly through limited-time events, new card sets, special booster packs, login rewards, competitive events, or enhancements to features like trading. While DeNA hasn’t disclosed specific details about these initiatives, they have highlighted events and promotions as part of their plans.

The latest card set, Ruler of the Skies, launched in late July, introducing a fresh batch of cards to collect. This expansion features Mega Rayquaza ex, along with other new Mega Evolution cards such as Mega Gallade ex and Mega Metagross ex.

The decline in player numbers is also reflected in DeNA’s financial results. The games division generated $76.88 million in revenue during the quarter, down 33% from $114.98 million a year prior, while profits plummeted 62% from $64.16 million to $24.14 million. DeNA attributed the year-over-year changes primarily to Pokémon TCG Pocket.

Players have speculated on various reasons for the waning interest, although DeNA hasn’t identified a specific cause for the decline.

One common concern is the challenge of obtaining rarer cards. Following DeNA’s latest results, some players have once again called for improved pull rates, while others expressed frustration over repeatedly opening packs filled with duplicates.

Trading has also been a point of contention since its introduction in January 2025. Although the developers have revamped parts of the system—such as eliminating the unpopular Trade Tokens—restrictions remain, including trading only with friends and limitations on which cards can be exchanged.

Players have also requested additional quality-of-life improvements, such as better management of duplicate cards and more flexibility regarding the pack points earned from opening boosters.

Despite losing over 40% of its monthly player base in the past year, Pokémon TCG Pocket still boasts around 23 million active users each month. DeNA’s current challenge is to keep this substantial audience engaged and regularly opening packs.

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