McDonald’s Is Bringing Pokémon Cards Back To Happy Meals In 2026
Pokémon’s long-running relationship with McDonald’s appears to be continuing into 2026.
According to multiple reports across the gaming community, McDonald’s is preparing another Happy Meal x Pokémon Trading Card Game promotion, expected to run early next year, roughly between February and March. The timing would align with the Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary, which has already sparked several commemorative releases across games, merchandise, and collectibles.
While McDonald’s has yet to announce the promotion publicly, past Pokémon Happy Meal campaigns offer a strong clue as to what fans can expect, per Pokébeach. Previous drops have included mini booster packs containing four cards, typically featuring a single holographic card alongside standard reprints. These sets tend to be small, intentionally limited, and designed more as entry-level collectibles than competitive cards.
The possibility of exclusive artwork remains uncertain. Earlier this year, a Japan-only Pikachu Happy Meal card drew overwhelming demand and resale chaos, making a wider international release unlikely. In recent years, The Pokémon Company has been cautious about introducing new alternate-art promos, especially in mass-market partnerships, due to ongoing supply strain.
For now, details beyond the reported window remain under wraps, and regional availability could vary. Still, if the reports hold true, Happy Meals may once again double as a gateway into Pokémon card collecting when 2026 kicks off.
Additional info per @dropinfos below:
