McDonald’s: Pokémon TCG Happy Meal Promotion

Pokémon fans and collectors may have a new reason to visit McDonald’s this November! A reported Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Happy Meal promotion is expected to launch in the U.S. on November 5 and run through December 9, 2026, coinciding with the Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary celebrations.

The promotion is expected to feature 15 different Pokémon cards, continuing the collectible card giveaways that have made previous McDonald’s Pokémon collaborations popular with fans. While the exact card lineup hasn't been revealed yet, previous promotions have featured four-card booster packs containing one holographic card and three non-holographic cards. The holographic cards have typically featured a special confetti-style foil pattern, making them especially appealing to collectors.

There's another interesting twist this year: customers will reportedly be able to choose between a Pokémon toy and a Pokémon Essential Handbook with their Happy Meal. The toy may be a card display, although that detail hasn't been confirmed.

How To Get It

• Visit a participating McDonald’s location during the reported promotion period.

• Order a Happy Meal.

• Ask about the Pokémon TCG promotion and available options.

• Choose the Pokémon toy or Pokémon Essential Handbook, if both options are offered.

• Check whether Pokémon card packs are included with the Happy Meal at your location.

What Collectors Should Know

• 15 different Pokémon cards are reportedly planned.

• Previous promotions have used four-card booster packs with one holographic card and three non-holographic cards.

• The holographic cards have typically featured confetti-style foil.

• The possible card-display toy has not been confirmed.

• A special Pikachu card featuring exclusive artwork was released by McDonald’s Japan last year, but whether it will appear in the U.S. promotion remains unknown.

Heads Up

• Reported U.S. dates: 11/5/26–12/9/26.

• The promotion is still preliminary and subject to change.

• The exact card lineup and toy details have not been announced.

• Availability and participation may vary by location.

• Other countries may receive the promotion on different dates.

• The reported details have not yet been fully confirmed by McDonald’s.

The combination of Pokémon cards and a choice of promotional item could make this a particularly interesting Happy Meal release for collectors. The 30th anniversary timing adds to the excitement, but I’d wait for the official card list before deciding which cards to hunt for. If the promotion follows previous releases, popular cards could attract plenty of attention once the Happy Meals hit stores.