| McDonald's Might Be Bringing Pokemon Cards Back to Happy Meals |
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September 30, 2026
McDonald's Might Be Bringing Pokemon Cards Back to Happy Meals
Millennials, prepare to feel VERY old—and very excited. McDonald’s could be bringing back one of the most nostalgic Happy Meal promotions ever: According to Pokémon fan site PokéBeach, a new Pokémon TCG promotion is reportedly coming to McDonald’s in the U.S. beginning November 5 and running through December 9, as part of the Pokémon franchise’s 30th anniversary celebration. And yes, there could be cards in those Happy Meals. Gotta Collect ’Em All… Again According to the report, each Pokémon Happy Meal would include a four-card booster pack containing three regular cards and one holographic card. There are reportedly 15 cards to collect in the promotion. The exact lineup hasn't been announced yet, and historically McDonald’s Pokémon promotions have featured reprints rather than brand-new cards. McDonald’s and Pokémon have not yet officially confirmed the reported U.S. promotion. Millennials Are About to Lose It For anyone who grew up in the late '90s and early 2000s, Pokémon cards aren't just trading cards—they're basically childhood memories printed on cardboard. And the collecting craze never really went away. Pokémon cards remain hugely popular, with rare and highly sought-after cards selling for thousands of dollars. Naturally, the possibility of another McDonald’s Pokémon promotion has already gotten fans thinking about what could happen when those Happy Meals hit restaurants. Long lines. Sold-out cards. And potentially a whole lot of people ordering Happy Meals just for the little cardboard rectangle inside. One fan predicted that McDonald’s lines would be “pure insanity,” while another joked about the drive-thrus getting ridiculously long. Others were concerned that people could buy Happy Meals solely for the cards and toss the food. We’ve Seen This Movie Before Those concerns aren't completely random. In August 2025, McDonald’s Japan had to shut down a Pokémon Happy Meal promotion after the highly sought-after cards reportedly sold out in just one day. The promotion was originally scheduled to run for three days, but the demand created chaos, including reports of people buying large quantities of Happy Meals for the cards and discarding the food. McDonald’s ultimately ended the promotion early and acknowledged that it hadn't adequately prepared for the demand. The company also said it would look for ways to prevent similar problems in the future, including potentially refusing service to scalpers who don't follow restaurant rules. So… Who's Ready? If the reports are accurate, November could bring a serious case of Pokémon nostalgia to McDonald’s. Fifteen cards. Four cards per pack. One holographic card. And potentially thousands of millennials suddenly saying: “I’m just getting a Happy Meal for my kid.” Sure you are.  Posted by Johnny Ice at 8:00 AM |
