Pokémon Happy Meal at McDonald's in the US, 2026

People are searching for a Pokémon Happy Meal in the US because reports say it returns in November 2026, timed to the franchise's 30th anniversary [1] [2]. Neither McDonald's nor The Pokémon Company has made an announcement, so every detail below comes from reporting and leaked images [2] [4].

What the reports say about dates

The earliest report gives a run that begins on November 5 and ends on December 9, 2026 [1] [2]. A later article says the collection is expected at McDonald's nationwide from November 10, 2026, and that the promotion runs until December 14 [4].

Neither date has been confirmed by McDonald's [2].

Attractions Magazine also gives November 10 as the start, citing a teaser posted by the McDonald's Happy Meal Instagram account. It says a campaign of this kind usually lasts six to eight weeks, and it does not give a firm end date [3]. Two start dates are in circulation, and only an official announcement will settle which one is right.

What is in the meal

The reported contents depend on which article you read. Dexerto, citing PokéBeach, describes a four-card Pokémon Trading Card Game booster in each meal, with one holo card and three non-holo cards. The set would total 15 cards, six of them with McDonald's confetti holofoil [1]. Essential Japan describes the same booster and card count [2].

Dexerto also says the customer could choose between a Pokémon toy and a Pokémon Essential Handbook. The toy may be built to display cards, but the article does not give a count [1].

Sole Retriever describes something different. Its report, based on leaked photos from a McDonald's franchise, shows 15 miniature Happy Meal box toys, each with a different Pokémon, and says every toy comes with two trading cards [4]. Attractions Magazine reports both versions and says the full card checklist has not been confirmed [3]. Until McDonald's publishes the menu, the four-card pack and the two-card toy remain unverified.

The 30th anniversary

Dexerto frames the promotion as a 30th anniversary collaboration [1]. Attractions Magazine links its coverage to a "30th Celebration" expansion, whose own coverage describes 30 Pikachu illustrations [3]. The Happy Meal is one of several anniversary items in that period, but the reports do not tie a specific toy to the anniversary artwork.

What to watch next

The most useful signal is an official notice from McDonald's or The Pokémon Company that sets the start date, the end date and the items in the meal [2] [4]. The date conflict is the first thing to resolve, because a November 5 start and a November 10 start would change when stores begin selling the meal [1] [4].

Readers should also expect limited stock. The reports describe a short window and a collectible set, which is the pattern that has pushed earlier Happy Meal promotions to sell out. The reports do not say how many toys each restaurant will receive, so a local location may not carry every version.