After a long nine-year pause, McDonald’s is rolling out its iconic Monopoly game once again — and it’s back with stakes you won’t want to miss. Beginning October 6, customers who order select menu items can peel off game pieces or tap digitally for their shot at winning life-changing rewards: from 1 million American Airlines miles and a 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee to a jaw-dropping $1 million in cash, plus plenty of instant food prizes along the way. But here’s the twist: with new app integration and bonus plays built in, this isn’t simply nostalgia — it’s a whole new thrill. Read on to see how you can play, stack your odds, and maybe even pass “Go” in style.
How to play McDonald’s Monopoly
The classic peel-and-play game is back with a modern, digital twist! Here’s your guide to diving into the fun, knowing exactly what to order, and maximizing your chances to win big prizes.
Step 1: Get Registered (and Get a Head Start)
To join the fun, you must first download the McDonald’s app, enroll in the MyMcDonald’s Rewards program, and officially register for the Monopoly Game. If you pre-register between September 29 and October 5, McDonald’s will instantly give you 500 bonus Rewards points—a free win before the game even begins!
Step 2: Collect Your Game Pieces – Know What to Order
Starting October 6, your favorite menu items turn into winning opportunities. Game pieces come in two forms, depending on what you order:
Physical Game Piece Menu Items
Look for the classic peel-off stickers directly on the packaging of these select items:
- Sandwiches: Big Mac, Filet-O-Fish, McMuffin Sandwiches, Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
- Chicken: 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, 20-piece Chicken McNuggets.
- Sides: Large fries, Hash browns.
- Drinks: Large fountain drink, Large iced tea, Large McCafé iced coffee, and select medium and large-sized McCafé drinks (including Premium Roast Coffee, Latte, Mocha, Macchiato, Cappuccino, Americano, and Hot Chocolate).
Digital-Only Game Piece Menu Items
The following items do not include a physical game piece. To receive your digital piece, you must order in the McDonald’s app or use your Rewards code at the time of purchase.
- Sandwiches: McCrispy Sandwiches, McGriddles Sandwiches (Excludes Sausage McGriddles), and Biscuit Sandwiches (Excludes Sausage Biscuit Sandwich).
- Other: Medium fries, 4-piece McCrispy Strips, and select large McCafé beverages (such as Frappé, Latte, Iced Mocha, Smoothie, and Macchiato).
(Note: No purchase is required to play; see the official rules on the McDonald’s website for details on how to request a game piece for free.)
Step 3: Peel and Play for Prizes
Once you have your pieces, it’s time for the reveal!
If you have a physical piece, peel it off the packaging, then scan it in the app to instantly unveil a prize or collect a digital property piece.
If you have a digital piece, “peel” it right in the app to immediately see if you’ve won an instant prize or to add a new property to your digital collection.
Step 4: Don’t Miss the Bonus Play!
Whether you win an instant prize or collect a property, every single game piece unlocks a Bonus Play inside the app. Be sure to play this second-chance game before November 2 for an additional shot at winning some of the rarest and biggest prizes!
All the prizes up for grabs in McDonald’s Monopoly
The prize pool this year is massive — and with so many ways to win, it could be your turn to strike it big. By collecting property pieces, players have the chance to score 1 million American Airlines AAdvantage® miles, a $50,000 vacation to a MONOPOLY GO! destination, or even a $10,000 Lowe’s shopping spree.
That’s just the beginning. Through the Bonus Play, running until November 2, you could drive away in a 2026 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Limited or unlock exclusive experiences courtesy of The Coca-Cola Company. And for one especially lucky player? A jaw-dropping $1 million cash prize is waiting.
Of course, not every win has to be life-changing — there are plenty of instant rewards too. Think free McDonald’s classics like the Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, Double Cheeseburger, and Snack Wrap®, along with bonus MyMcDonald’s Rewards points you can redeem for even more of your go-to favorites.
How McDonald’s Monopoly became a cultural phenomenon
McDonald’s first launched the Monopoly promotion in the United States in 1987, modelling it after Hasbro’s classic board game. Players collected game pieces found on packaging of certain food items, hoping to complete property sets to win big prizes like cash, trips, cars, or free food.
The promotion proved to be an enormous success, boosting sales significantly, and was expanded to various international markets, including Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and many countries across Europe.
However, between about 1989 and 2001, the contest was corrupted by a massive fraud scheme. Jerome “Jerry” Jacobson, a former police officer and head of security for the marketing agency responsible for administering the game, successfully stole virtually all of the top-tier winning game pieces. Jacobson and his network of accomplices, which eventually included mobsters and others, sold the stolen winning pieces to people for a cut of the prize money. During this period, almost no legitimate winners claimed any of the major prizes.
The scheme was finally uncovered in March 2001 when the FBI received an anonymous tip. The subsequent investigation led to the indictment of Jacobson and 50 other co-conspirators. The news of the arrests broke on September 10, 2001, but the ensuing trial was largely overshadowed by the September 11 attacks the following day. The story was later popularized by the 2020 HBO documentary series, McMillion$.
Despite the scandal, McDonald’s continued the promotion with stricter security, though it ran less frequently in the U.S. The game’s last widespread, traditional appearance in the United States was in 2014.
“Our fans have been clamoring for the return of Monopoly at McDonald’s, and we’re thrilled to bring it back with a modern, digital spin,” said Alyssa Buetikofer, Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer of McDonald’s USA, regarding the promotion’s 2025 comeback. “This game is a core memory for so many customers, and we’re excited that those memories can now be shared across generations.”
Source: All Recipes