McDonald’s is bringing back one of its most nostalgic promotions, giving fans another chance to peel, play and potentially win big. The fast-food giant’s Monopoly game returns this October with prizes ranging from free food and rewards points to a $1 million cash prize, a new Jeep, and more. But while the familiar peel-off game pieces are making a comeback, the way players actually take part has changed. So what’s different this time, and how will the new digital twist work?
The classic Monopoly game is back at McDonald’s
McDonald’s is bringing back its Monopoly promotion nationwide on October 6, giving customers another shot at winning everything from free menu items to major cash prizes.
The promotion, announced by McDonald’s on September 22, returns with a different approach to gameplay. While customers will once again find Monopoly pieces attached to qualifying food packaging, the company is moving the actual game into its mobile app.
“This year, we’re going all in on the classic peel – what first made MONOPOLY at McDonald’s so iconic,” McDonald’s said in a news release. “With all the pieces in your hands, fans will now have just one way to peel, with all gameplay done in the app.”
The change gives players a more straightforward process: Get an eligible item, peel the piece from the packaging, and scan it with the McDonald’s app. Depending on what the piece reveals, players can receive an immediate food reward or MyMcDonald’s Rewards points, or use it toward one of the promotion’s larger prizes.
The return is also notable because McDonald’s brought Monopoly back last year after the promotion had been away from its U.S. restaurants for roughly 10 years.
Getting started is simple
Anyone who wants to participate will first need the McDonald’s app and a registered Rewards account.
Before ordering, players should opt into the Rewards program and complete the Monopoly registration. Once the promotion begins, qualifying purchases will come with game pieces attached to the packaging.
After peeling a piece, players can use the app to scan it. The result could be an instant food reward, a deposit of loyalty points, a property needed for a Collect to Win prize or a Chance Card game.
There is also an additional opportunity for registered players. Through November 1, customers can receive a bonus Chance Card play for each qualifying item purchased through the app or when they use their Rewards code at the kiosk, counter or drive-thru.
However, customers must complete their Monopoly registration before making the qualifying purchase to receive those bonus Chance Card plays.
Which McDonald’s foods come with game pieces?
The Monopoly promotion covers a selection of popular McDonald’s items rather than the entire menu.
For breakfast, qualifying choices include:
- Hash Browns
- McMuffin sandwiches
- Biscuit sandwiches
Later in the day, customers can look for game pieces on:
- Large French fries
- 10-piece Chicken McNuggets
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese
- Big Mac
- 4-piece McCrispy Strips
Some beverages qualify during both breakfast and the rest of the day, including:
- Large soft drinks
- Large iced coffees
- Large iced teas
- Large specialty McCafé beverages
- Large hot McCafé beverages
That means customers looking to collect pieces will need to pay attention to which items they order, since buying from the menu does not automatically guarantee a Monopoly piece.
There are four ways to win
The 2026 promotion offers several different prize paths, so players do not have to rely solely on collecting a complete set of properties.
Free McDonald’s food
Some pieces provide an immediate reward, with prizes that can include McChicken sandwiches, Snack Wraps, McGriddles, shakes, smoothies and small fries.
MyMcDonald’s Rewards points
Other pieces award loyalty points instead of food. The available prizes range from 1,500 to 7,000 MyMcDonald’s Rewards points.
Property collections
The traditional Monopoly-style collecting game is also returning. Players who find the right combination of property pieces can qualify for larger prizes.
Those prizes include travel experiences such as a Carnival Cruise vacation and a trip to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Other potential prizes include a 2027 Jeep Cherokee and a choice of one of three vehicles from Polaris.
Chance Card prizes
Chance Cards provide another route to bigger rewards through the app.
Digital Chance Card plays open the door to gift cards from popular brands like Grubhub, Ulta Beauty, and Uber Eats. Bigger wins include transformative prizes such as $50,000 toward a home down payment, $50,000 toward college debt paydown, free McDonald’s for a year (awarded via a $1,040 gift card), and cash rewards ranging from $10,000 all the way to the top $1 million cash prize.
Source:
USA Today