McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meals Return in November 2026

Pokémon TCG collectors planning their next Happy Meal run now have a clear schedule to follow. McDonald’s will launch a new Pokémon promotion in November 2026, offering two random cards from a 15-card selection alongside one Pokémon-themed plastic toy. The rollout begins at different times in Canada, Australia and the United States, then continues into December.

What the new Happy Meal promotion includes

Each participating Pokémon Happy Meal is set to include two random Pokémon Trading Card Game cards and one plastic toy. The card pool contains 15 cards in total, although only a few entries have been identified so far. Confirmed cards include Metagross from Temporal Forces, Palafin from Obsidian Flames and Hawlucha from Scarlet & Violet. The promotion is also expected to use reprints of previously released TCG cards rather than a completely new expansion.

This setup differs from earlier McDonald’s Pokémon campaigns, which commonly offered four-card packs. Those older packs included a guaranteed holographic card, but McDonald’s has not confirmed whether holo cards will return in this promotion or whether every Happy Meal will contain one. Collectors should therefore treat the two-card format as the confirmed offering and wait for further details on rarities.

Who should follow the release dates

The campaign begins in November across all confirmed regions, but the starting and ending dates are not identical. Canada is first, beginning on November 3, followed by Australia on November 5. The United States launch is scheduled for November 10. Each regional run extends into December, giving collectors several weeks to look for the cards and toys they need.

The promotion may be especially relevant to players filling gaps in older Pokémon TCG sets, since the confirmed cards originate from existing Scarlet & Violet-era releases. Metagross could attract particular attention: the Steel- and Psychic-type Pokémon is a Pseudo-Legendary and is among the named cards in the lineup. However, the full 15-card checklist has not yet been revealed.

What comes next for collectors

The toy component is a notable part of this return. McDonald’s will offer 15 mini Happy Meal box toys styled around different Pokémon, including Pikachu, Eevee, Umbreon, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Sprigatito. Each toy can also function as a small display frame for the included cards, linking the restaurant collectible directly to the TCG promotion.

It is the first McDonald’s Pokémon campaign with plastic toys since 2018. More recent partnerships focused on cards alone, so collectors interested in both physical Pokémon merchandise and the TCG have a broader reason to track this release. Availability is tied to participating McDonald’s locations, while exact card distribution and holographic details remain unannounced.

What players should know

• Every promotional Happy Meal includes two random cards from a 15-card Pokémon TCG set.
• Metagross, Palafin and Hawlucha are the only cards confirmed so far.
• There are 15 Pokémon-themed plastic toys, which can be used to display cards.
• Canada starts on November 3, Australia on November 5 and the United States on November 10.
• McDonald’s has not confirmed the full card list or whether holographic cards are guaranteed.

Confirmed regional promotion dates

Expert View

This is a practical promotion for collectors rather than a substitute for a standard TCG release. The return of plastic toys adds value for fans who enjoy display collectibles, but the reduced two-card format and unconfirmed holo odds mean buyers should keep expectations measured until McDonald’s reveals the complete card checklist.