Quick answer
The McDonald's Pokémon Happy Meal 2026 is reported to run November 5 to December 9, 2026 in the US, for Pokémon's 30th anniversary. Each Happy Meal would include a 4-card Pokémon TCG pack from a 15-card set. McDonald's and The Pokémon Company have not confirmed it yet, so treat the dates as unofficial.
What's in the meal
Price: Not announced. Check the McDonald's app for your store.
Is the Pokémon Happy Meal confirmed?
Not yet. As of October 23, 2026, McDonald's has not listed it on its official US Menu Spotter, and The Pokémon Company has not announced it. Every detail so far comes from one report by the Pokémon card news site PokéBeach on September 28, 2026, which called the details preliminary. News sites like Dexerto, Kotaku and Nintendo Life repeated the report.
The current US Happy Meal is the Disney Villains Boo Buckets, which started October 20. We will update this page the moment McDonald's confirms the Pokémon promo.
Pokémon Happy Meal 2026 dates
| Reported date | Status | |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Thursday, November 5, 2026 | Reported, not confirmed |
| End | Wednesday, December 9, 2026, or while supplies last | Reported, not confirmed |
| Country | United States first. Other countries may follow on different dates | Reported |
One site listed October 5 to December 19 instead, but October 5 has passed with no promo, and its own article also says November 5. The November 5 to December 9 window is the one most reports agree on.
What's in the 2026 Pokémon Happy Meal
- A 4-card booster pack in every Happy Meal: one holo card and three non-holo cards
- A 15-card set to collect, with six cards in confetti holofoil
- A Pokémon toy or a Pokémon Essential Handbook, your choice, according to the report
- The card list is still secret. Past McDonald's sets mixed popular Pokémon like Pikachu and Charizard with newer ones, but nothing for 2026 has been shown
Is there a "Pokémon fusion" Happy Meal?
No. There is no Pokémon fusion Happy Meal, toy or card from McDonald's. The searches likely mix up two things: fan-made "Pokémon fusion" art that combines two Pokémon into one, and Dual Fusion, a new expansion for the Pokémon TCG Pocket app launching October 29, 2026. The last McDonald's Pokémon promo in 2025 gave TCG Pocket bonuses with app orders, so the names easily blur together.
Can adults buy the Pokémon Happy Meal?
Yes, anyone can order a Happy Meal. McDonald's has not shared 2026 rules about buying card packs without a meal or limits per customer. In 2021, when the 25th anniversary cards caused shortages and resellers bought them in bulk, McDonald's asked restaurants to set reasonable limits. Expect stores to do the same if demand is high.
McDonald's Pokémon card Happy Meals by year
| Year | US promo |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 12 cards, one card and a toy per meal (June to July) |
| 2021 | 25th anniversary set: 25 Pokémon in holo and regular versions, 4-card packs. Big shortages and resellers |
| 2022 | Match Battle: 15 cards (6 holo) with a game spinner or a book |
| 2023 | Match Battle with the Paldea starters: 15 cards and a coin |
| 2025 | Dragon Discovery: 15 cards, a poster and stickers, plus Pokémon TCG Pocket and Pokémon GO bonuses (January to February) |
| 2026 | 30th anniversary: reported for November 5 to December 9 |
A report from late 2025 said the 2026 promo would run around Pokémon Day in February or March. That did not happen, which is one more reason to wait for an official confirmation.
Why 2026 matters
Pokémon turns 30 in 2026. The first games came out in Japan on February 27, 1996. McDonald's Japan already ran a big Pokémon summer promo in July and August 2026 with toys and a Pokémon McNuggets box, but that one had no cards.
Update timeline
- October 23, 2026 · RumoredStill not on McDonald's official US Menu Spotter. The current Happy Meal is the Disney Villains Boo Buckets.
- September 28, 2026 · RumoredPokéBeach reports a US Pokémon TCG Happy Meal for November 5 to December 9, 2026, with 4-card packs from a 15-card set.
- December 29, 2025 · RumoredAn early report points to a February or March 2026 promo. It did not happen.
Will you hunt for the 2026 Pokémon cards?
Results show after you vote.FAQ
When does the Pokémon Happy Meal come out in 2026?
It is reported for Thursday, November 5, 2026 in the US, running to December 9. McDonald's has not confirmed the date yet.
Is the McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal confirmed?
Not as of October 23, 2026. The details come from a PokéBeach report. It is not on McDonald's official Menu Spotter yet.
How many Pokémon cards come in a Happy Meal?
Reportedly one 4-card pack per Happy Meal, with one holo card. The full set is 15 cards, six of them holo.
Is there a Pokémon fusion Happy Meal?
No. Pokémon fusion is fan art, and Dual Fusion is a new Pokémon TCG Pocket expansion. Neither is a McDonald’s product.
Can you buy the Pokémon cards without a Happy Meal?
McDonald's has not said for 2026. In past promos the cards came with Happy Meals, and some restaurants sold extras on request.
What Pokémon are in the 2026 McDonald’s set?
The card list has not been revealed. We will add the full checklist as soon as it is out.
Sources and how we verified
- McDonald's USA Menu Spotter (checked Oct 23, 2026: no Pokémon listing)
- McDonald's: Dragon-type Pokémon Happy Meal (2025, official)
- PokéBeach: McDonald’s Pokémon TCG promotion to launch in November for 30th anniversary
- Dexerto: McDonald’s x Pokémon reportedly returning in November
- Kotaku: Pokémon Happy Meals and the 30th anniversary
- Nintendo Life: Pokémon cards are seemingly returning to Happy Meals
- Nintendo Wire: McDonald’s Pokémon TCG 30th anniversary promotion
- ComicBook.com: 2026 McDonald’s Pokémon release date
- Sole Retriever: McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal November 2026
- Sporked: McDonald’s Pokémon Happy Meal 2026 rumors (April 2026)
- Inven Global: Pokémon TCG Pocket Dual Fusion expansion on Oct 29
- Nintendo Wire: McDonald’s 25th anniversary Pokémon promo (2021)
- GoNintendo: McDonald’s comments on the 2021 shortage and scalping
- Bulbapedia: McDonald’s Collection 2022
- Bulbapedia: McDonald’s Collection 2023
- SoraNews24: McDonald’s Japan Pokémon collaboration (July 2026)
Dates marked leaked or reported are not confirmed by McDonald's. Spot something wrong? Send a correction.