The 2026 McDonald's Pokemon promotion has not even started in Canada yet, and the full 2027 lineup is already out in the wild. On October 31, a promotional post for the 2026 event accidentally featured the cards from the 2027 McDonald's packs, a full year before that promotion is expected to run. PokeBeach spotted the mix up, GameRant and others picked up the story, and collectors had the whole checklist saved within hours. It is a funny little accident, and honestly a delightful one, because the lineup is strong and one small turtle in it has started a much bigger conversation.

Fifteen Familiar Faces

The 2027 lineup holds 15 cards. The full list is Bulbasaur, Rowlet, Sprigatito, Charmander, Torchic, Squirtle, Piplup, Pikachu, Raichu, Clefairy, Slowpoke, Marill, Gengar, Eevee and Snorlax. Seven of the fifteen are starter Pokemon from across the generations, and the rest reads like a comfort food menu of fan favourites. Pikachu and Eevee are here because of course they are. Gengar and Snorlax bring the classic energy, and Raichu is a lovely surprise, since Raichu so often watches from the sidelines while Pikachu takes the spotlight. Even Slowpoke and Marill feel right at home in a set built for Happy Meals.

The Piplup below is the Illustration Rare from Phantasmal Flames, a recent favourite of mine. Seeing Piplup on the 2027 checklist put a genuine smile on my face, and Squirtle sitting right beside it on the list makes this little set feel almost personally aimed.

One Squirtle Started the Speculation

Most of the 2027 cards will be reprints of cards collectors already know. The Squirtle appears to be the exception. Fans quickly noticed that its art has never shown up on an English card before, which suggests it comes from a set that has not been released yet. The leading guess points at Flowing Fists, the first English set of 2027, arriving February 5.

For comparison, here is a Squirtle the hobby already loves, the Illustration Rare from Scarlet and Violet 151, with art by Mitsuhiro Arita. The promo Squirtle is a different card entirely, and that difference is exactly what has people talking.

From there the speculation snowballed. If a brand new Squirtle is coming, its biggest evolution might be coming too. Mega Blastoise is the one Kanto starter Mega still waiting for a new card in the Mega Evolution era, and collectors are happily connecting the dots. None of this is confirmed, and it should be enjoyed as speculation only. Still, a possible Mega Blastoise year is a lovely thought to carry into 2027.

Enjoy 2026 First

None of this changes the calendar in front of us. The 2027 promotion is expected later in 2027, in line with past years, and no dates are confirmed for it yet. The 2026 promotion is the one at the door. Canada starts on Tuesday, November 3 and runs to December 7. The United States follows on November 10, and Delta Reign lands on November 6 right in the middle of it all. November is stacked.

My plan is simple. Chase the 2026 checklist while it is here, trade the doubles, enjoy the meals, and let the 2027 list sit in the back of my mind as something to look forward to. A whole extra year of anticipation is a rare gift in this hobby. Collectors just got one for free.