The Pokémon Trading Card Game appears to have accidentally revealed its entire 2027 McDonald’s promotional card lineup nearly a year ahead of schedule. A promotional post intended to advertise the 2026 McDonald’s Pokémon collaboration reportedly featured cards belonging to next year’s event, giving collectors an unexpected look at what could arrive in late 2027.
The apparent mistake was spotted by Pokémon TCG news outlet PokéBeach, which identified several cards that have not yet appeared in officially released expansions. The discovery has already sparked speculation about upcoming sets, particularly the possible return of Mega Blastoise.
McDonald’s Pokémon TCG 2027 Lineup Leaked
According to the reported leak, the 2027 McDonald’s promotion will feature a selection of popular Pokémon from several generations. The lineup places considerable emphasis on starter Pokémon while including recognizable fan favorites.
The Pokémon reportedly featured in the promotional collection include Bulbasaur, Rowlet, Sprigatito, Charmander, Torchic, Squirtle, Piplup, Pikachu, Raichu, Clefairy, Slowpoke, Marill, Gengar, Eevee, and Snorlax.
The selection closely follows the approach of previous McDonald’s Pokémon collaborations, which typically feature recognizable creatures to appeal to younger audiences and established collectors alike.
However, the most interesting discovery isn’t necessarily the lineup itself. One particular card could provide an early indication of what The Pokémon Company has planned for future expansions.
Unreleased Squirtle Card Sparks Mega Blastoise Speculation
Among the leaked promotional cards, collectors noticed an unfamiliar Squirtle card that has reportedly not appeared in any previously released Pokémon TCG expansion.
The card appears to be connected to an upcoming expansion called Flowing Fists, currently scheduled for February 5, 2027.
Its appearance has prompted speculation that Mega Blastoise could feature in a future Pokémon TCG expansion.
The theory revolves around the Mega Evolution era and the original Kanto starter Pokémon. With Mega Evolution returning to prominence in the trading card game, collectors believe Mega Blastoise could help complete the lineup alongside the other original starter Mega Evolutions.
While the speculation is understandable, the leaked Squirtle card does not confirm that Mega Blastoise will appear. The Pokémon Company has not officially announced such a card or expansion connection.
Nevertheless, the discovery has given collectors another reason to watch upcoming Pokémon TCG announcements closely.
Pokémon TCG Celebrates Its 30th Anniversary
The accidental reveal comes during a particularly significant period for the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
The franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, with special releases and promotional products designed to commemorate three decades of collecting and competitive play.
Among the anniversary highlights are Futuristic Rare versions of Espeon, Umbreon, and Pikachu, alongside a special Ultra-Premium Collection.
Meanwhile, the Pokémon TCG expansion schedule continues to introduce new cards and revisit familiar mechanics.
Delta Reign is scheduled for November 6, 2026, bringing Mega Rayquaza ex back into the spotlight alongside Mega Golisopod and Mega Golurk.
Flowing Fists is expected to follow on February 5, 2027, with Mega Lucario Z among its featured Pokémon.
These releases suggest that Mega Evolution will remain an important part of the Pokémon TCG heading into 2027.
When Will the 2027 McDonald’s Pokémon Cards Release?
Although the promotional lineup has reportedly surfaced early, an official release date for the 2027 McDonald’s Pokémon TCG collaboration has not been announced.
Based on previous promotional patterns, the cards are expected to become available later in 2027 through participating McDonald’s restaurants.
As with earlier collaborations, availability could differ between countries, and individual markets may receive the promotion at different times.
It also remains unclear whether every leaked card will appear in all participating regions or whether the final promotional lineup could change before release.
For now, collectors should treat the revealed selection as an unofficial preview rather than a finalized announcement.
An Accidental Reveal That Could Spoil Future Pokémon TCG Surprises
What initially appeared to be a simple promotional mistake may have revealed more than just next year’s McDonald’s card selection.
The presence of an unreleased Squirtle card has raised questions about upcoming expansions and whether The Pokémon Company is preparing additional Mega Evolution surprises for 2027.
However, the connection to Mega Blastoise remains speculative, and nothing in the reported leak guarantees that the Pokémon will receive a new card.
Until The Pokémon Company provides official confirmation, collectors will have to wait to see how much of the leaked material makes it into the final promotion.
With the Pokémon TCG celebrating its 30th anniversary and several major expansions approaching, 2027 is already shaping up to be another interesting year for fans of the trading card game.
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