The thirtieth anniversary of Pokémon is quick approaching on twenty seventh February 2026, and it appears McDonald’s will probably be placing Pokémon playing cards in its Comfortable Meals in a brand new promo much like previous occasions.
In response to a report from PokéBeach, it is going to run from February into March, with precise dates relying on the nation, however that is all the small print recognized proper now.
Previous occasions — for the twenty fifth anniversary, for instance — have seen scalpers rocking as much as shops and shopping for dozens of Comfortable Meals to get the playing cards. McDonald’s within the UK put a restriction on shopping for multiple further card together with your meal following the frenzy within the US, however that appears like attempting to cease a geyser with a bathplug.
The Pokémon Firm and Ronald have persevered, although – there was a Dragon-type collab earlier in 2025. And again in August, a three-day Pikachu occasion in Japan was stopped after 24 hours when demand for the cardboard exceeded provide, with packing containers of unopened playing cards turning up on the market on-line. Shifty. That one was significantly wanted, although, as the cardboard featured unique art work.
It is a disgrace that Pokémon playing cards simply appear to draw a manic mixture of the FOMO crowd (ask the oldsters at Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum) and straight-up scalpers, bringing out the worst in individuals who ignore twister warnings and behave atrociously to get their palms on recent packs.
We’ll see in February if TPC and McDonald’s have any intelligent plans to fight the issue.
