Here’s something that might surprise you: despite being one of the most recognizable franchises on the planet, My Little Pony has never had a dedicated U.S. trading card game. Sure, they made a cameo appearance in Magic: The Gathering, but a full standalone TCG? Never happened.
That changes now.
What Is MY LITTLE PONY Card Game – Friendships Begin?
Kayou and Hasbro have co-developed a full trading card game built from the ground up around the Friendship is Magic universe. It’s being previewed at New York Comic Con this week at Kayou’s booth #1217, giving U.S. fans their first hands-on experience before the official retail launch in early 2026.
The game already launched in China back in April 2025 and has been building serious momentum. Now it’s heading stateside.
How It Plays
The gameplay is approachable but has real strategy to it. Two players face off, each building a deck of ponies, actions, and items to tell their own story. On each turn, you draw cards and send your ponies into the Adventure Area, using card combos to overcome challenges and advance through your tale. The first player to complete their story wins.
Games take about 20-30 minutes, it’s designed for ages 6 and up, and it’s quick to learn. That’s a sweet spot – accessible enough for kids but with enough depth for TCG players who want something strategic.
There are three card types that drive gameplay: Story Cards recreate pivotal moments of friendship from the series, Scene Cards set the stage and can unlock a pony’s magical powers, and Character Cards bring the personality and firepower to help move your story forward.
The Decks and Collectibility
Each of the Mane 6 gets their own starter deck – Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy. Each starter comes with a 70-card ready-to-play deck (split into a Main Deck, Scene Deck, and Story Deck) plus three booster packs with five cards each.
You need two starter decks to play (one per player), and you can collect all six to mix and match custom decks. There are 68 card types across nine rarity levels, and the chase cards sound genuinely impressive: Shining Ruby Rare cards feature the Mane 6 illustrated in vibrant colored pencil and oil painting textures, while Shining Emerald Rare cards showcase iconic Equestrian landmarks with exclusive day/night variations.
And the card quality itself? Shimmering foils, embossed textures, laser etching – Kayou is known for their production quality, and this line sounds like they’re pulling out all the stops.
Why This Actually Matters
Here’s a quote that jumped out at me from Marianne James, Hasbro’s Senior VP of Global Licensing: “The U.S. trading card game scene is booming, yet the market has yet to see a true success with a dedicated, girl-focused TCG – until now.”
She’s right. Think about the current TCG landscape: Pokemon, Magic, One Piece, Lorcana, Union Arena, Flesh and Blood – these all skew heavily toward boys and young men. There’s a massive audience of girls and young women who love collecting and strategic gameplay but don’t see themselves reflected in what’s on the shelves right now.
My Little Pony fills that gap perfectly. It’s a beloved franchise with multigenerational appeal, brand-new artwork from official MLP artists and internationally renowned creators, and a game designed around themes of friendship, adventure, and community.
For those of us who run card shops and want to build inclusive communities where everyone feels welcome, this is exactly the kind of product we’ve been waiting for.
The Bottom Line
A dedicated My Little Pony TCG with Hasbro’s backing and Kayou’s production quality, hitting U.S. retail in early 2026? That’s worth paying attention to. This has the potential to bring a whole new audience into the trading card hobby – and that’s good for everyone.
We’ll have more details as the retail launch gets closer. Stay tuned.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the My Little Pony trading card game called?
The My Little Pony trading card game is called MY LITTLE PONY Card Game – Friendships Begin. It was co-developed by Kayou and Hasbro and is built around the Friendship is Magic universe. The game launched in China in April 2025 and is scheduled for U.S. retail release in early 2026.
Has My Little Pony ever had an official trading card game before?
No, My Little Pony has never had a dedicated U.S. trading card game before MY LITTLE PONY Card Game – Friendships Begin. While MLP characters made a cameo appearance in Magic: The Gathering, this is the first full standalone TCG specifically designed for the franchise.
How long does a My Little Pony card game match take?
A typical My Little Pony Card Game match takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete. The game is designed for ages 6 and up, with quick-to-learn rules that balance accessibility for younger players with enough strategic depth to engage experienced TCG enthusiasts.
When does the My Little Pony card game release in the United States?
The MY LITTLE PONY Card Game – Friendships Begin is scheduled for official U.S. retail launch in early 2026. The game was first previewed at New York Comic Con at Kayou’s booth and had already launched in China in April 2025 before expanding to the American market.