How To Use Split Stadium Cards in Pokémon

Japanese Pokémon set Storm Emeralda introduces a new type of card: Split Stadiums. Let's find out how to use Split Stadium cards in Pokémon!
Pokemon Split Stadium Cards

The Storm Emeralda set for the Pokémon TCG introduces split Stadium cards to the game. Though these aren’t the first time split cards have appeared in Pokémon, they’re the first split cards to also be Stadiums. Let’s take a look at how these cards are used, which are included in Storm Emeralda and when we can expect to see them in English!

Using Split Stadium Cards

Each split Stadium card is one half of a pair. You’ll need to add both cards to your Pokémon deck, but of course after shuffling they may not be drawn together. Split Stadium cards can only be played if you have them both in your hand at the same time. Just like other Stadium cards, they remain in the play area once played and affect both players. If either player plays another Stadium card, split or otherwise, the current Stadium is placed in the owner’s discard pile.

Which Split Stadium Cards Are Available?

Pokémon Legendary Trench Split Stadium
Images credit: The Pokémon Company

There are three different pairs of split Stadium cards. Above, you can see the Legendary Trench, but there’s also the Legendary Summit and Legendary Lava Lake. Let’s take a look at each of these Stadium cards and what they can do.

Split Stadium Card Effects

As we only have the Japanese cards right now, you may need to know exactly what these Stadium cards do that makes them so special. Firstly, the Legendary Trench card we’ve already seen doubles the amount a Pokémon in play is healed, any time healing is applied.

Pokémon Legendary Summit Split Stadium
Images credit: The Pokémon Company

Next, pictured above is the Legendary Summit. This card’s effect means that whenever a Colorless Pokémon is Knocked Out by damage from an opponent’s Pokémon’s attack, the opponent takes 1 fewer Prize card.

Images credit: The Pokémon Company

Finally, we have the Legendary Lava Lake. This stops any Evolution Pokémon from having abilities. As it’s a Stadium card, this applies to Pokémon owned by each player, and it means that only Basic Pokémon can use their card abilities.

When Will Split Stadiums Be Released in English?

Pokémon Delta Reign Art
Image credit: The Pokémon Company

Unfortunately, we have a bit of a wait for split Stadium cards to emerge from Japan. They’ll be part of the Delta Reign set, due for release on the 6th of November, 2026. Of course, there’s nothing to stop you from picking up these amazing cards right now, but don’t expect them to be legal for organized play or tournaments! If you did want to use them in advance of their official, English language release, just make sure to check with your opponents first.

In the meantime, check out our full list of cards in the Storm Emeralda set. You can also get a sneak peek at which cards will be the most sought after in Delta Reign, with our list of the most valuable cards in Storm Emeralda.

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Jason Brown

Card Gamer's owner, Jason has been a fan of both tabletop and digital gaming since the early 80s. Not only did he help launch Card Gamer, but he's also responsible for writing more than 500 articles on the site too. Jason has been writing for more than 25 years, with bylines at Polygon, Nintendo Life, Retro Dodo, Lost in Cult and many more. He also regularly writes on a variety of geeky topics at his own website, midlifegamergeek.com.

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