The Pokémon TCG is returning to McDonald’s in 2026 for Pokémon’s 30th Celebration! Special Mini Pokémon-themed Happy Meals will be available at participating McDonald’s in the United States starting on November 10, 2026, and will run until December 14, 2026.
From the looks of the picture circulating on social media, there will be 15 different mini Happy Meals in total, each featuring a different Pokémon.These Pokémon-themed Happy Meals will include one of 15 collectible character 'toys' alongside two random McDonald’s Pokémon TCG cards – also from a set of 15.
While the cards that will be included have yet to be revealed, they’ll likely be themed around Pokémon’s 30th Celebration. If so, these Happy Meals will undoubtedly be incredibly popular, giving Pokémon fans one last chance to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th anniversary before the year is up.
Pokémon’s last anniversary McDonald’s collaboration gives us a clue for what to expect
While Pokémon Happy Meals are an annual fixture, it’s been a while since they featured standalone toys like these Happy Meal boxes. Indeed, it’s not been since 2018 that Pokémon Happy Meals have included toys. However, more recent sets have certainly included cards. Last year’s collection focused on Dragon-type Pokémon cards, while the most relevant collection to look to for clues for this year’s collaboration is Pokémon’s 25th anniversary McDonald’s Happy Meal collection.
The 30th Anniversary McDonald’s promo cards will likely include some sort of logo on them as well: either the 30th Celebration one included on previous 30th Celebration promos or the 30th Celebration “What’s Your Favorite” logo that you’ll find on Pokémon store promos.
And although McDonald’s Pokémon promos are much more about the fun of getting cards along with your Happy Meal, some can end up being somewhat valuable. Like the Pikachu 25th anniversary promo above that is worth around $20 if you have the foil card. As of right now, we don’t know whether there will be foil versions of Pokémon 30th McDonald’s cards or not. However, past sets have had unique promo pattern versions of previously released cards, like the confetti Pikachu promo from 2023.
Pokémon TCG fans outside the US will also get the chance to enjoy a McDonald’s/Pokémon collab this year. The promotion is expected to run in Australia starting November 5, 2026, and Canada on November 3, 2026, with more countries yet to be announced.
More details on the 2026 Pokémon/McDonald’s collaboration are expected soon as we near the launch date, so stay tuned for more details, the complete card list, and more!
