Destined Rivals pre-orders face significant availability issues

The upcoming Pokémon Trading Card Game expansion, Destined Rivals, may be hard to find for collectors and players. Despite new anti-scalping measures, fears remain that scalpers will purchase most of the products. Destined Rivals combines elements from Japan's Heat Wave and Glory of Team Rocket sets. It is set to release on May 30 in the West. Many expect this expansion to follow the same pattern as previous releases, which struggled against scalping. Prices for Pokémon products have soared in 2025, and there's much excitement about this new set. In January, The Pokémon Company announced plans to reprint a previous set, Prismatic Evolutions, to meet high demand. They also introduced a queue system on their official website to help fans access booster packs. However, these measures have not significantly reduced prices. For instance, Prismatic Evolution Elite Trainer Boxes continue to sell for much more than their retail prices. Pre-orders for Destined Rivals were expected to begin on March 21. Fans quickly encountered issues with the queue system on the official Pokémon Center website. Only a previously released product was available, selling out in minutes. This raises concerns about how collectors will secure the highly anticipated new set. On a positive note, Pokémon TCG Pocket seems unaffected by stock shortages and scalping issues. With a new set, Shining Revelry, on the way, players may want to focus on that until the situation improves.