This article provides comprehensive ‘all you need to know’ information about Pokémon Booster Packs.
Contents
What are Pokémon Booster Packs?
Where are Booster Packs found?
What cards are in Booster Packs 1999 – 2022
What cards are in Booster Packs 2023 – 2025
What are Pokémon Booster Packs?
Pokémon Booster Packs are sealed foil packs of trading cards that measure measure 9.7 x 0.3 x 17.3 cm (3.8 x 0.1 x 6.8 in). They are designed to expand a player’s or collector’s Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) collection.
Each pack typically contains a random selection of 10 Pokémon cards – with a mix of Common, Uncommon, and Rare cards. They also contain a random Energy Card and a code card for the online game. The randomness of the pack contents means that you never know exactly what you’ll get until you open it. This element of surprise is part of what makes booster packs so popular.
Booster packs are released as part of a Pokémon expansion set. Each each set has its own theme, artwork, and card list.
Most regular sets have four different artwork designs for Booster Packs, while special sets generally have a single design.
Unopened, sealed Booster Packs for current sets tend to retail at around £4 – £5 ($4 – $5), while those from older, out of print sets cost more.
Expansions allow players to add new Pokémon to their decks and collectors to find new opportunities to add rare or special cards to their existing collections.
The most sought after cards in a set are referred to as Chase Cards and are often the most rare to find and the most valuable cards in a set.
In short, Pokémon Booster Packs are a fun and accessible way to discover new cards, build decks, and grow your collection.
Where are Pokémon Booster Packs Found?
With the exception of Black Star Promo Cards and special release cards, Pokémon trading cards can only be obtained by opening Booster Packs. Booster Packs can be found in a range of products which varies depending on whether the expansion is a regular expansion set or a special expansion set. They can also be purchased individually from hobby stores or auction sites where they generally retail for £4 – £5 / $4 – $5.
Regular Expansion Sets
The quantity of Pokémon Booster packs included varies with different products. For regular expansion sets the following products are generally available:
Booster pack – 1 booster pack
Booster bundle – 6 booster packs
Booster box – 36 booster packs
Elite trainer boxes – 8 – 11 booster packs
Collection boxes – 4 – 6 packs
Pin collection boxes – 3 – 4 packs
Collector tins – 4 – 5 packs
Mini tins – 2 packs
Special Expansion Sets
For special expansion sets the following products are generally available:
Elite trainer boxes – 8 – 10 booster packs
Collection boxes – 4 – 8 packs
Pin collection boxes – 3 – 4 packs
Collector tins – 4 – 5 packs
Mini tins – 2 packs
What cards can be found inside a Pokémon Booster Pack?
Each rarity type has a set number of cards that can be found inside each pack. In 2023 with the release of the Scarlet and Violet series, the Pokémon company changed the rarity names and symbols on cards.
Cards inside a Booster Pack – 1999 – 2022
The 12 cards inside Booster Packs from 1999 – 2022 were:
1 x Online Code card – This can be used to play the Pokémon game online. The code cards can be green or white. A white code card often signifies that there will be a rare holographic or art card in the pack.
1 x Basic Energy card – Energy cards are attached to Pokémon to increase their power and are used in the Trading Card Game.
1 x Rare card – This may be a full art or a half art card, a holo (holographic) or a non-holo rare card. Rare cards are signified by a small black star next to the card number. 
3 x Uncommon cards – These include character cards, Trainer cards and special energy cards. Uncommon cards are signified by a small black diamond next to the card number. 
5 x Common cards – Common cards are all character cards and are signified by a small black circle next to the card number. 
1 x Reverse Holo card – These cards are known as reverse holos because the bottom of the card is holographic rather than the top. There are reverse holo counterparts for each non-holo card in the set. They carry the same rarity as their non-holo counterparts.
Some sets, contained subsets of cards eg – Trainer Gallery, Amazing Rare or Radiant cards. Where these are included they take the place of the Reverse Holo card.
Cards inside a Booster Pack – 2023 Onwards
Beginning with the Scarlet and Violet Series, the cards found inside a booster pack changed. Non-holo rare cards were discontinued and art cards were given new rarity names and symbols.
The 12 cards found inside booster packs from Generation IX onwards are:
1 x Online Code card – This can be used to play the Pokémon game online. The code card design has not yet been revealed
1 x Basic Energy card – Energy cards are attached to Pokémon to increase their power and are used in the Trading Card Game.
1 x Rare Holo card – This is a standard card with a holographic image Rare Holo cards are signified by a small black star.
3 x Uncommon cards – These include character cards, Trainer cards and special energy cards. Uncommon cards are signified by a small black diamond.
4 x Common cards – Common cards are all character cards and are signified by a small black circle.
2 x Reverse Holo cards – These cards are known as Reverse Holos because the bottom of the card is holographic rather than the top. There are Reverse Holo counterparts for each non-art card in the set. They carry the same rarity as their non-holo counterparts.
Double Rare Holo cards may take the place of the rare card in a Booster Pack. They are marked with two black stars. 
An Illustration Rare, Ultra Rare, Special Illustration Rare or a Gold Hyper Rare card may take the place of one of the Reverse Holo cards.
Illustration Rare cards are always an alternate art version of a Common, Uncommon or Rare card and are identified by a single gold star. 
Ultra Rare cards are always an alternate art version of a Trainer or ex card and are identified by two white stars. 
Special Illustration Rare cards are alternate art versions of Trainer or Double Rare cards. They are signified by two gold stars. 
Gold Hyper Rare cards, previously known as Gold Secret Rare, these cards are gold foil versions of Trainer cards or Double Rare cards. They are marked with three gold stars. 
Mega Hyper Rare cards were introduced with the release of the Mega Evolution expansion series in late 2025. These cards are marked with a black and gold stylized diamond. 
