Pokémon Company Prints Over 10 Billion Cards Last Year

The Pokémon Company manufactured more than 10 billion Pokémon trading cards last year alone, and has now produced a staggering total of 85 billion cards to date.

Just last year's number of cards represents a higher figure than the number of people on the planet. However, supply issues persist, making Pokémon cards hard to find despite the massive production volume. New card releases face challenges like scalping, in-store conflicts, and frequent sell-outs. The immense popularity of Pokémon cards, especially the rare ones, has resulted in numerous thefts, with trading card stores being targeted across the U.S.

The latest Pokémon card production data is from The Pokémon Company's updated website, showcasing the franchise's sales milestones as of March 2026. In the realm of Pokémon video games, over 515 million 'Pokémon-related software' units have been shipped to date, with 16 million sent out in the past year. Notably, Pokémon Pokopia has sold 4 million copies on Nintendo Switch since its March launch. Strong sales continue for earlier games like Pokémon Legends: Z-A, reaching 12 million copies across Switch and Switch 2.

Recent incidents include a Florida man's arrest for a $12,000 Pokémon card theft using a battery-powered chainsaw. Another fan was arrested in Pasadena for hiding inside a closed Best Buy before a card drop. In January, a card shop in Manhatten was robbed at gunpoint, resulting in the theft of $100,000 worth of stock.