Pokémon trading cards are returning to McDonald’s Happy Meals in the United States, with a fresh set of 15 collectible cards set to debut on November 5 and run through December 9. The promotion, first reported by PokéBeach, confirms that participating U.S. branches will include packs of Pokémon cards in their Happy Meals for roughly a month, giving collectors a narrow window to complete the set before the promotion wraps up at the end of the year.
As with the hugely popular iterations of this promotion in recent years, the new set will comprise 15 cards distributed across individual four-card booster packs. Each pack will contain three standard cards alongside one holographic variant, maintaining the format that has made the campaign a favorite among both young collectors and adult fans. As of now, McDonald’s and The Pokémon Company have not revealed which specific cards will appear in the packs, leaving enthusiasts to speculate about what the set might contain.
A Set Full of Possibilities
Historically, McDonald’s Pokémon promotions have leaned on reprints of cards already available through retail channels, albeit stamped with an exclusive McDonald’s logo that gives them a distinct, limited-edition feel. That track record has bred a healthy amount of optimism this time around, with fans hoping the 2024 set might include something a little more special than a straightforward reprint.
The timing of the promotion is notable, arriving as part of the ongoing Pokémon 30th Anniversary celebration, which has seen a wave of commemorative products and special releases across the franchise’s trading card line.
Pokémon cards will return to McDonald’s Happy Meals soon, with 15 more cards to collect.
PokéBeach
While the exact contents remain under wraps, collectors are already casting their minds back to one particular card that has generated enormous excitement: the Pikachu card distributed through a similar Happy Meal promotion in Japan last year. That card features an endearing design showing Pikachu reaching across a table toward a burger and some vegetables, a scene that has become something of a cultural moment among fans.
Scalping Concerns and a Bittersweet Precedent
That Japanese Pikachu card, however, comes with a cautionary tale attached. Last year’s promotion in Japan spiraled out of control as fans and scalpers hunted aggressively for the sought-after cards, resulting in mass scenes of food waste, with uneaten burgers being dumped in the streets. Faced with the chaos, McDonald’s promptly ended the giveaways early and introduced tighter rules designed to clamp down on Pokémon scalping for future promotions.
Whether that beloved Pikachu card will make the leap to U.S. shores remains to be seen. The American promotion’s success will likely depend heavily on how McDonald’s implements its enhanced anti-scalping measures, which were specifically crafted to prevent a repeat of the disorder seen overseas.
Looking Ahead
McDonald’s has yet to officially confirm the promotion or provide additional details, though the chain is expected to announce the campaign and reveal more specifics in the coming days. Until then, fans are left to count down the days until November 5, when the packs begin appearing in Happy Meals across the country.
With just a month to collect all 15 cards, expect a rush at participating restaurants as collectors race to complete their sets. Whether the promotion proves to be a smooth, nostalgic experience or a test of patience against scalpers remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the return of Pokémon cards to McDonald’s Happy Meals is sure to reignite the excitement that has made these promotions a seasonal staple.
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