The hunt starts Nov. 10 at participating U.S. restaurants, where Pokémon fans can snag two random cards per meal—but only while supplies last.
ByBernadette Giacomazzo
October 30, 2026
Key Takeaways
- McDonald’s launches Pokémon Happy Meals nationwide on Nov. 10, pairing one of 15 collectible toys with two random trading cards from a 15-card reprint set featuring seven foils.
- The lineup includes Pikachu, Charmander, and Eevee, while a packaging QR code unlocks a digital game that challenges fans to find all 15 Pokémon toys.
- The limited-time promotion runs while supplies last, with an international rollout reaching Australia, Canada, and other markets in November before expanding to Ireland and the United Kingdom in February 2027.
Pokémon collectors have another reason to visit McDonald’s next month, and this time, the Happy Meal comes with more than just a toy.
Beginning Nov. 10, participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide will introduce a new Pokémon Happy Meal featuring 15 collectible toys and a special 15-card trading card set. The promotion brings two of the world’s most recognizable brands together again, offering collectors another opportunity to expand their collections without visiting a specialty card shop.
According to Mashable, each Happy Meal will include two randomly selected Pokémon trading cards from a 15-card reprint collection featuring seven foil cards. Customers will also receive one of 15 collectible character toys packaged in miniature boxes inspired by McDonald’s signature cartons.
The lineup includes familiar Pokémon such as Pikachu, Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Eevee, alongside Umbreon, Espurr, Torchic, Minccino, Munchlax, Piplup, Rowlet, Sobble, Sprigatito, and Weedle.
The promotion also marks the first time since 2018 that McDonald’s has paired three-dimensional Pokémon toys with playable trading cards, giving collectors two different sets to complete.
There’s a digital component, too. Customers can scan a QR code printed on their Happy Meal packaging to access an interactive game featuring a virtual classroom and playground. The objective is to locate all 15 Pokémon toys hidden throughout the environment.
The timing comes as the Pokémon trading card market continues attracting attention from collectors, entrepreneurs, and professional athletes.
Earlier this year, entrepreneur Sam Kiki expanded into the collectibles business with Tilt Rips, a platform that lets customers open digital packs containing Pokémon, One Piece, and sports cards.
Kiki, whose previous ventures include online gaming company Monkey Tilt, described the appeal of collecting as something that goes beyond financial value.
“This community is 100 times better than any other community I’ve been involved with,” he told Inc. “We are all there for a shared passion.”
That enthusiasm has also produced some unusual developments in the secondary market.
Last year, a collector known as Kabuto King began purchasing thousands of first-edition Kabuto cards from Pokémon’s 1999 Fossil expansion. His buying campaign coincided with a 971 percent price increase, with average sales rising from $4.39 in early November to $42.66 in early December.
The situation attracted the attention of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, himself a Pokémon collector.
“The market for it has really exploded,” Burrow said during a media availability. “I think it’s pretty cool.”
The rollout will extend beyond the United States, reaching Australia, Canada, France, Spain, New Zealand, and Fiji in November. Additional countries will receive the promotion through February 2027, when it arrives in Ireland and the United Kingdom.
The Pokémon Happy Meals will be available for a limited time while supplies last, beginning Nov. 10.
