Get Ready for Pokémon Happy Meals at McDonald’s – Lines Are Coming!

Get ready, trainers! The Pokémon Happy Meal is making a comeback in 2026 as part of the 30th anniversary festivities. Kicking off on November 5 and running through December 9, expect to see those long lines at the McDonald’s drive-thru again, even if you’re just there for a banana milkshake.

While the official announcement hasn’t hit any major sites yet, an outlet with a solid track record has reported on this annual promotion. According to them, the set will include the familiar 15 cards, packed in booster packs of four—three regular cards and one holo. In past years, these cards have mostly been reprints from earlier sets, often only distinguishable by a small set symbol in the bottom left corner, though some previous releases have featured unique holo patterns.

Each Happy Meal will come with one booster pack, plus a choice between a toy or a booklet. U.S. customers will be pleased to know that unlike McDonald’s UK, which has eliminated all plastic from Happy Meals, they still get a fun toy option instead of cardboard substitutes.

Every year, the excitement around the Pokémon and McDonald’s collaboration reaches a fever pitch, with scalpers and confused collectors trying to snag hundreds of folded boxes of tiny burgers or extra-small nugget portions just to get their hands on a four-card sealed pack that rarely appreciates in value. This frenzy not only leads to absurd wait times for those just looking for a quick meal but also makes it tough for kids to grab the packs.

Last year in Japan, things got so chaotic during a three-day event that it had to be cut short. With the current hype surrounding the trading card game and the popularity of the 30th Celebration cards, it’ll be interesting to see how this promotion unfolds in a couple of months. There’s still no word on which cards or Pokémon will be included, or if they’ll have any special connection to the anniversary. Given that most years feature rather mundane bulk cards, the excitement might seem a bit overblown.