As the iconic Pokémon franchise prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, The Pokémon Company and McDonald’s are joining forces to mark this milestone with a highly anticipated Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) promotion.
According to reputable Pokémon fan site PokéBeach, this special event is slated to run between February and March 2026, offering fans exclusive new cards to expand their collections and commemorate three decades of Pokémon's enduring legacy. Pokémon, originally launched in Japan in 1996, has grown into a global phenomenon that encompasses video games, animated series, movies, and the ever-popular Trading Card Game.
McDonald’s, with its history of collectible promotions, has collaborated several times with The Pokémon Company to distribute limited-edition Pokémon TCG cards through its restaurants worldwide.
Notably, the 25th anniversary event in 2021 saw McDonald’s release a set of 50 commemorative cards, featuring beloved starter Pokémon from across generations and special Pikachu variants.
In comparison, most annual McDonald’s Pokémon promos have distributed around 15 different cards, making the 25th anniversary collection a standout. Details regarding the exact dates, card selection, and the number of cards in the 30th anniversary collection have not yet been publicly disclosed by The Pokémon Company or McDonald’s.
However, based on the scale of previous celebrations, collectors and players alike are expecting a significant assortment of unique Pokémon cards.
There is also growing anticipation within the community for the potential localization of exclusive cards from prior regional promotions.
For instance, PokéBeach notes the possibility of the sought-after Pikachu Big Mac card, previously released exclusively in Japan, receiving an English language version for the first time.
Such an addition would be a significant draw for fans and collectors in the U.S.
and other English-speaking territories. While specifics of the 2026 McDonald’s Pokémon TCG promo remain under wraps, the partnership reinforces Pokémon’s lasting appeal and the ongoing collaboration between The Pokémon Company and global brands.
Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for official announcements regarding card lists and participation details as the 30th anniversary approaches. For dedicated Pokémon TCG enthusiasts and collectors, the upcoming months will be an ideal time to plan visits to McDonald’s outlets worldwide.
As Pokémon continues to innovate across video game platforms like Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Direct showcases, and the digital eShop, its celebrated trading card tradition remains as vibrant as ever, connecting generations of fans through the thrill of collecting and gameplay.
According to reputable Pokémon fan site PokéBeach, this special event is slated to run between February and March 2026, offering fans exclusive new cards to expand their collections and commemorate three decades of Pokémon's enduring legacy. Pokémon, originally launched in Japan in 1996, has grown into a global phenomenon that encompasses video games, animated series, movies, and the ever-popular Trading Card Game.
McDonald’s, with its history of collectible promotions, has collaborated several times with The Pokémon Company to distribute limited-edition Pokémon TCG cards through its restaurants worldwide.
Notably, the 25th anniversary event in 2021 saw McDonald’s release a set of 50 commemorative cards, featuring beloved starter Pokémon from across generations and special Pikachu variants.
In comparison, most annual McDonald’s Pokémon promos have distributed around 15 different cards, making the 25th anniversary collection a standout. Details regarding the exact dates, card selection, and the number of cards in the 30th anniversary collection have not yet been publicly disclosed by The Pokémon Company or McDonald’s.
However, based on the scale of previous celebrations, collectors and players alike are expecting a significant assortment of unique Pokémon cards.
There is also growing anticipation within the community for the potential localization of exclusive cards from prior regional promotions.
For instance, PokéBeach notes the possibility of the sought-after Pikachu Big Mac card, previously released exclusively in Japan, receiving an English language version for the first time.
Such an addition would be a significant draw for fans and collectors in the U.S.
and other English-speaking territories. While specifics of the 2026 McDonald’s Pokémon TCG promo remain under wraps, the partnership reinforces Pokémon’s lasting appeal and the ongoing collaboration between The Pokémon Company and global brands.
Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for official announcements regarding card lists and participation details as the 30th anniversary approaches. For dedicated Pokémon TCG enthusiasts and collectors, the upcoming months will be an ideal time to plan visits to McDonald’s outlets worldwide.
As Pokémon continues to innovate across video game platforms like Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Direct showcases, and the digital eShop, its celebrated trading card tradition remains as vibrant as ever, connecting generations of fans through the thrill of collecting and gameplay.
