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Pokémon trading cards will officially return to McDonald’s Happy Meals in 2026. The upcoming promotion will tie directly into Pokémon’s 30th anniversary, making it one of the most significant Happy Meal collaborations the franchise has held to date. After weeks of speculation, reliable sources have now confirmed the long-running partnership will continue.
Leak Confirms 30th Anniversary Tie-In
Information about the promotion first appeared through a leaked list of upcoming McDonald’s Happy Meal crossovers. While the original source remains unknown, Pokémon-focused outlet PokeBeach verified that the Pokémon trading card portion of the leak is accurate. According to the report, McDonald’s will distribute Pokémon cards throughout February and March 2026.
The timing aligns closely with Pokémon’s official 30th anniversary, which falls at the end of February. This schedule strongly suggests that the promotion will serve as a central part of the anniversary celebrations. Although Pokémon has not revealed the card designs yet, the anniversary branding points toward a larger-than-usual release.
Potentially Larger Card Set Than Previous Promotions
Recent Pokémon and McDonald’s collaborations offer clues about what fans can expect. The 2025 promotion featured 15 Dragon-type themed cards. However, the last anniversary-focused Happy Meal event included 50 cards, representing every starter Pokémon.
If Pokémon follows a similar approach for its 30th anniversary, collectors may face a much larger set. This would mark a major increase in scope compared to recent promotions and likely drive strong demand.
Global Rollout Still Unconfirmed
McDonald’s typically runs Pokémon card promotions across multiple regions, but release windows often vary by country. At this time, neither McDonald’s nor Pokémon has confirmed which regions will receive the cards during the February and March period.
Given the significance of the anniversary, a broader and more synchronized global rollout seems likely. However, regional differences may still apply, as seen with previous promotions.
Other 2026 Happy Meal Crossovers Gain Credibility
The confirmation of the Pokémon trading card promotion has also strengthened the credibility of other items listed in the leaked schedule. The same document mentions Mario-themed toys tied to The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, along with a Sonic and Hello Kitty crossover planned for later in the year.
McDonald’s has followed a similar strategy in recent years, pairing major entertainment releases with themed Happy Meal toys.
Japan Likely to Miss the Anniversary Promotion
Despite the global appeal of Pokémon and McDonald’s collaborations, Japan may not take part in the 2026 promotion. A recent Pokémon card campaign in the country ended after one day due to widespread misuse. Customers bought Happy Meals in bulk, discarded the food, and left trash in public areas.
Following that incident, expectations remain low that Pokémon will release the anniversary cards in Japan.
Even with that limitation, the return of Pokémon trading cards to McDonald’s Happy Meals signals a strong global partnership. For fans and collectors, the 2026 promotion is shaping up to be one of Pokémon’s most notable anniversary celebrations yet.
