> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pluggedinn.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Pokemon TCG Chaos Rising Release Date: May 22 Drop Times + Where to Buy - URL: https://www.pluggedinn.news/pokemon-tcg-chaos-rising-release-date-may-22-drop-times-where-to-buy/ - Published: 2026-05-18T07:28:26.000Z - Updated: 2026-05-18T07:28:26.000Z - Author: Tyler Stinson - Tags: Pokemon *Updated: May 17, 2026* Pokemon TCG Mega Evolution — Chaos Rising officially releases worldwide on **Friday, May 22, 2026**. But the retailer drops don't all happen on May 22 — Walmart hits two days early, Target runs overnight windows, GameStop does a midnight in-store event, and Best Buy opens in-store. If you're trying to hit one at retail instead of paying $200 on eBay, here's the actual staggered drop schedule. ETB MSRP is **$69.99**. Secondary market is currently $113–225 on [TCGPlayer](https://www.tcgplayer.com/?ref=pluggedinn.news) and eBay. Every retail hit is $40–155 saved per box. **The actual drop schedule:** - **Walmart online — Wednesday, May 20 at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET.** Walmart always drops Pokemon TCG on Wednesdays. For set releases, that means two days before official launch. Most people don't know this and miss it entirely. - **Target online — Thursday May 21 to Friday May 22, between 10:00 PM PST and 2:00 AM PST overnight.** Target's recurring drop window. - **GameStop midnight release event — Thursday May 21 into Friday May 22 at midnight, in-store only.** Heads up: GameStop sells at above-MSRP pricing on launches, not retail. - **Best Buy in-store — Friday, May 22 at store open.** Select locations only. Best Buy does not drop new set releases online. - **Target in-store — Friday, May 22 at store open.** Select locations only. - **Barnes & Noble in-store — Friday, May 22 at store open.** Select locations only. - **Pokemon Center online — random throughout launch week.** Rumored Chaos Rising ETB restock as bot orders refund and failed payments release stock back. The [**Plugged Inn Discord**](https://pluggedinn.io/?ref=pluggedinn.news) runs auto-checkout (ACO) across every online retailer above plus an exclusive Best Buy in-store stock checker that shows real unit counts at each location. 500,000+ confirmed checkouts, including 1,158 confirmed Pokemon Center Chaos Rising preorders on the last drop. Featured Mega ex cards in the set: Mega Greninja ex, Mega Pyroar ex, Mega Floette ex, Mega Dragalge ex. Pre-release events ran May 9–17 at local game stores. Full card list at [Pokemon.com](https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-news/the-pokemon-tcg-mega-evolution-chaos-rising-expansion-arrives-on-may-22-2026?ref=pluggedinn.news) and [Bulbapedia](https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Chaos%5FRising%5F%28TCG%29?ref=pluggedinn.news). → [Join the Plugged Inn Discord](https://pluggedinn.io/?ref=pluggedinn.news) --- ## Where to Buy Chaos Rising (Drop Date + Time by Retailer) | Retailer | Channel | Drop Date | Time | Pricing | | ------------------ | ------------------------- | ----------------------------- | --------------------------- | -------------- | | **Walmart** | Online | Wed, May 20 | 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET | MSRP | | **Target** | Online | Thu May 21 – Fri May 22 | 10 PM PST – 2 AM PST window | MSRP | | **Target** | In-store | Fri, May 22 | Store open | MSRP | | **Best Buy** | In-store only | Fri, May 22 | Store open | MSRP | | **Barnes & Noble** | In-store | Fri, May 22 | Store open | MSRP | | **GameStop** | In-store midnight release | Thu May 21 → midnight | 12:00 AM Fri May 22 | **Above MSRP** | | **Pokemon Center** | Online | Random throughout launch week | Variable | MSRP | **Walmart on May 20 is the biggest underrated window.** Walmart drops Pokemon TCG every Wednesday at 6 PM PT, and for major set releases, that lands two days before official launch. If you've been refreshing Walmart on the 22nd, you missed it. **On GameStop:** they run midnight in-store launch events but sell at premium pricing. You can get the product on day one if you're willing to overpay — most people aren't. **On Best Buy:** for new set releases, Best Buy is in-store only. They don't run online drops for launches. You either show up to a store on May 22 or you miss the Best Buy allocation. Most of the original Pokemon Center inventory was sold as [pre-orders over a month ago](https://www.pokemoncenter.com/category/pokemon-tcg-mega-evolution-chaos-rising?ref=pluggedinn.news). Restocks during launch week happen as refunded bot orders and failed payments release stock back into the public pool. The [**Plugged Inn Discord**](https://pluggedinn.io/?ref=pluggedinn.news) pings members the second any of this goes live. --- ## In-Store on May 22 Three retailers put product on shelves at store open on Friday, May 22: - **Best Buy** - **Target** - **Barnes & Noble** Plus **GameStop** at midnight (above MSRP). Not every location gets stock. The most common mistake on launch day is camping the wrong store. (Nothing humbles a drop hunter like waiting outside a Best Buy at 7 AM for product that's 40 miles away.) The [**Plugged Inn Discord's Best Buy in-store stock checker**](https://pluggedinn.io/?ref=pluggedinn.news) pulls real-time unit counts from every Best Buy location, so you know which store actually has product before you commit to a drive. Only tool of its kind in the Pokemon TCG space. --- ## Product Lineup + Pricing | Product | MSRP | Secondary Market | | ----------------------------------------------------- | ------- | ---------------- | | Elite Trainer Box | $69.99 | $113–225 | | Pokemon Center ETB (with Fennekin promo cards inside) | $89.99 | $200+ | | Booster Display Box (36 packs) | $179.99 | $300+ | | Booster Bundle (6 packs) | $26.99 | $50+ | | Build & Battle Box | $24.99 | $40+ | | Single Booster Pack | $4.49 | $10+ | --- ## How to Actually Hit Chaos Rising at Retail Three ways to play it: **Camp in-store on May 22.** Pick a Best Buy, Target, or Barnes & Noble. Show up before doors unlock. You can only camp one store — if it didn't get allocation, you walk home empty. GameStop is an option at midnight but you pay above MSRP. **Refresh online manually.** Walmart on Wednesday May 20 at 6 PM PT, Target Thursday/Friday overnight, Pokemon Center every day all week. Glued to a screen for days. Your eye doctor will eventually want a word. [**Plugged Inn Discord**](https://pluggedinn.io/?ref=pluggedinn.news) **with ACO + Best Buy stock checker.** Auto-checkout runs simultaneously on Walmart, Target, Pokemon Center, and 495+ more retailers. Bots cop the drop the second it goes live online. The in-store tool tells you which Best Buy actually has product so you don't drive to the wrong one. 500,000+ confirmed checkouts. 30 minutes of setup vs. days of refreshing. → [Join the Plugged Inn Discord before May 20](https://pluggedinn.io/?ref=pluggedinn.news) --- ## FAQ **What's the Pokemon TCG Chaos Rising release date?** Official release is Friday, May 22, 2026\. But retailer drops are staggered: Walmart on Wednesday May 20, Target Thursday/Friday overnight, GameStop midnight events, and Best Buy + Target + Barnes & Noble in-store at open on May 22. **What time does Walmart drop Chaos Rising?** Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET. Walmart always drops Pokemon TCG on Wednesdays. **What time does Target drop Chaos Rising online?** Typically Thursday May 21 to Friday May 22, between 10:00 PM PST and 2:00 AM PST overnight. **Does GameStop do a midnight release for Chaos Rising?** Yes, GameStop runs midnight in-store launch events for major Pokemon TCG releases, including Chaos Rising. Pricing at GameStop is above MSRP — convenient for day-one access, not for best price. **Does Best Buy drop Chaos Rising online?** No. Best Buy is in-store only for new set releases. Show up at a Best Buy location at store open on Friday, May 22. **Where can I buy Chaos Rising in-store on May 22?** Best Buy, Target, and Barnes & Noble at store open. GameStop at midnight (above MSRP). Select locations only — not every store gets allocation. **How much is the Chaos Rising Elite Trainer Box?** $69.99 MSRP. $113–225 on the secondary market right now. **Will Pokemon Center restock Chaos Rising on launch week?** Likely. Pokemon Center restocks around release day because refunded bot orders and failed payments release stock back into inventory. The [Plugged Inn Discord](https://pluggedinn.io/?ref=pluggedinn.news) pings members the second it goes live. **How do I know which Best Buy actually has stock?** The [Plugged Inn Discord's Best Buy in-store stock checker](https://pluggedinn.io/?ref=pluggedinn.news) shows exact unit counts at every Best Buy location in real time. --- ## Bottom Line Chaos Rising's official release date is May 22, 2026 — but **retailer drops are staggered**. Walmart hits Wednesday, May 20 at 6 PM PT. Target runs overnight Thursday/Friday. GameStop opens midnight (above MSRP). Best Buy, Target, and Barnes & Noble open in-store on Friday, May 22\. Pokemon Center restocks throughout the week. The [**Plugged Inn Discord**](https://pluggedinn.io/?ref=pluggedinn.news) runs ACO across every online retailer plus the only Best Buy in-store stock checker in the Pokemon TCG space. 500,000+ confirmed checkouts. Members will be unboxing Chaos Rising on May 20 — while everyone else is still waiting for the 22nd. → [Join the Plugged Inn Discord](https://pluggedinn.io/?ref=pluggedinn.news)