The Pokémon Trading Card Game is rumored to bring back a beloved promotional event at McDonald’s for a special 30th anniversary celebration. This anticipated collaboration echoes past promotions that created a significant buzz among fans and collectors.
McDonald’s Pokémon Trading Card Promotion Overview
According to a leaked schedule from McDonald’s for 2026, Pokémon Trading Card Game promo packs may again be included in Happy Meals. This possible promotion reflects similar past endeavors that often featured exclusive artwork and limited-run expansions.
Key Details of the Promotion
- Start Date: The promotion could begin in February 2026.
- Special Occasion: The launch may coincide with Pokémon Day on February 27th, celebrating the franchise’s original Japanese release.
- Past Promotions: Previous McDonald’s collaborations sparked excitement and controversy, especially when featuring exclusive cards.
Though the specific Pokémon or card designs remain undisclosed, fans speculate that the promotion will follow the usual format of small, limited expansions. The last similar campaign in Japan featured an alternate-art Pikachu card, becoming popular among collectors and scalpers.
Possible Challenges and Controversies
If this anniversary promotion proceeds, it is likely to attract scrutiny from fans and parents. The Pokémon Trading Card community has already experienced issues with scalpers during past events, where large quantities of Happy Meals were purchased to resell the card packs at inflated prices.
To mitigate such issues, McDonald’s has previously limited purchases to three Happy Meals per customer. Similar restrictions are anticipated if this 30th-anniversary promotion occurs.
Broader 2026 Pokémon Celebrations
This McDonald’s promotion is just one element of a larger celebration in 2026. The Pokémon Company is expected to unveil various activities to commemorate this milestone year.
Upcoming Game Releases and Expansions
- New Expansion: The upcoming Pokémon TCG release titled Ascended Heroes is set for January 20, 2026.
- Featured Pokémon: This set is expected to include Mega Evolutions for starters from Pokémon Legends: Z-A.
- Future Announcements: New mainline game details are anticipated during the anniversary year.
As the Pokémon franchise gears up for its 30th anniversary, fans can expect more announcements and a potential surge in interest surrounding the Pokémon Trading Card Game. The proposed McDonald’s event may serve as a nostalgic reminder of the vibrant trading card culture.
Stay tuned for further updates and share your thoughts on which Pokémon you would like to see featured in the new promo pack with us at El-Balad!
