Key Takeaways
- McDonald’s and Pokémon have officially confirmed a new Happy Meal collaboration launching November 10, 2026 in the US
- The promotion features 15 collectible mini Happy Meal box toys, each displaying a different Pokémon under a golden arches handle
- Each Happy Meal includes two of 15 reprinted Pokémon trading cards — seven of which are confetti holo variants
- Three Happy Meal box designs are available, themed around Pikachu, Torchic, and Umbreon
- The promotion is part of Pokémon’s broader 30th anniversary celebrations in 2026
- A leaked unconfirmed US end date suggests the promotion runs through December 14, 2026
- The collaboration expands to over 70 countries in the following months, with progressive launches through February 2027
- Quebec locations will not receive the toys — instead offering a Pokémon sticker and a four-card mini booster
- There is some confusion around the official card list, with McDonald’s and leaker lists differing from what Pokémon officially announced
It’s that time again. McDonald’s and Pokémon have made their latest Happy Meal collaboration official, and this one is bigger than most — it’s part of Pokémon’s sweeping 30th anniversary celebrations in 2026, which have already seen merchandise, events, games, and special TCG sets rolling out all year. The Happy Meal promotion launches in the US on November 10, 2026, and everything from the toys to the cards to the box designs is now confirmed. Here’s what you need to know.
Launch Date and How Long It Runs
The US launch date is November 10, 2026. As for how long it lasts, McDonald’s and Pokémon are only officially going with “as long as supplies last” — which is the standard hedging language for these promotions. However, leaked promotional materials shared on X by users close to the launch suggest the US promotion is expected to run through December 14, 2026, giving collectors a little over a month to find what they’re looking for. Treat that end date as unconfirmed until McDonald’s officially states otherwise.
International rollout follows through the months after the US launch, with the promotion expanding to over 70 countries progressively through February 2027. Launch dates will vary by region, and specific toys and cards may vary as well — which likely explains some of the card list confusion we’ll get to below. Canada, for reference, appears to be launching even slightly earlier than the US based on regional promotional materials.
The Three Happy Meal Box Designs
This promotion features three different Happy Meal box designs, each themed around a specific Pokémon: Pikachu, Torchic, and Umbreon. If you care about which box you get, it’s worth checking what’s available at your local McDonald’s — though as with most Happy Meal promotions, availability can be random.
The 15 Pokémon Toy Box Collectibles
The standout physical collectibles this time around are 15 miniature Happy Meal box toys, each showcasing a different Pokémon’s face beneath the classic golden arches handle. They’re essentially tiny versions of the actual Happy Meal boxes, and while they’re decorative rather than practical — they’re not large enough to use as real containers — they do require some minor assembly, which at least gives them a small interactive element beyond just sitting on a shelf.
The 15 Pokémon getting the toy box treatment have been confirmed via the official promotion and leaked promotional images, though the full confirmed list spans fan favorites and recognizable faces across multiple generations of the franchise.
The Trading Cards: 15 to Collect, 7 Confetti Holos
Each Happy Meal includes two trading cards from a set of 15. These are stamped reprints carrying McDonald’s-specific numbering — per the promotion’s internal system — rather than new original artwork, following the format used in previous McDonald’s x Pokémon collaborations.
Seven of the 15 cards are available as confetti holo variants, the sparkling foil treatment McDonald’s has used in past Pokémon promotions that tends to drive collector interest. If you’re specifically hunting holos, you’ll need some luck on the draw.
It’s worth flagging that there’s some active confusion around the card list. The official Pokémon website announced one set of 15 cards, while McDonald’s own promotional accounts and leakers have been circulating a different list — including Pokémon like Pikachu, Palafin, Mimikyu, Chandelure, Decidueye, and Tyranitar alongside others like Zoroark, Wooloo, Snorlax, Eevee, Jirachi, Metagross, Absol, Hawlucha, and Lucario. There’s a possibility that the Pokémon-announced list may actually reflect next year’s set rather than this one, or that regional variations account for the difference. Either way, wait for your local McDonald’s to confirm what’s actually in your region before hunting specific cards.
Regional Variations: Quebec Gets Something Different
If you’re in Quebec, the promotion looks a little different. Quebec locations will not be offering the miniature Happy Meal box toys. Instead, they’ll receive a Pokémon sticker and a mini booster pack containing four cards. If the toy was your main reason for caring about this promotion, that’s worth knowing before making the trip.
Other regions may also see variations in the toy and card lineup — the international nature of this rollout across 70+ countries makes some regional differences inevitable. McDonald’s and Pokémon are expected to make region-specific announcements as each country’s launch approaches.
Why This Promotion Is Bigger Than Usual
McDonald’s has collaborated with Pokémon many times since the partnership first began in 1999, and these promotions reliably generate collector frenzy. But this year’s edition lands during Pokémon’s 30th anniversary — a milestone that the franchise has been celebrating throughout 2026 with special TCG sets, merchandise drops, and promotional events. McDonald’s Japan already ran a major Happy Meal campaign in August 2026, with 12 toys covering Pokémon from all generations and special Pokémon-themed packaging. The North American and global rollout starting November 10 is the next chapter of that anniversary push.
The scale of this promotion — 15 toys, 15 cards across 70+ countries — is in line with how Pokémon has historically treated its milestone anniversaries in the McDonald’s context. The 25th anniversary collaboration in 2021 featured every starter Pokémon across eight generations in a 50-card set, and that promotion famously drove intense scalper activity and empty shelves. Whether this year’s rollout produces a similar frenzy remains to be seen, but the 30th anniversary context means demand is likely to be significant.
If you’re planning to collect the full set of toys and cards, getting to your local McDonald’s early after November 10 is your best strategy. These promotions tend to move fast, and “as long as supplies last” is a real caveat.
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