The short answer? Yes. But if you’re in the United States, you might have felt like the game vanished into thin air for a decade. It basically did. For the longest time, while folks in the UK, Australia, and Canada were busy peeling stickers every autumn, American fans were left with nothing but memories of Park Place and half-eaten fries.
Everything changed in late 2025. McDonald's officially brought the Monopoly game back to the US after a nine-year hiatus that felt like an eternity. If you've been wondering does McDonald's still do Monopoly, the answer is a resounding "yes," but the game you remember from 2016 has evolved. It's gone digital, it's more connected to the app, and the security is—thankfully—a lot tighter than it was during the "Uncle Jerry" era.
The Big Comeback: Why It Disappeared and How It Returned
Honestly, the history of this game is wilder than a Hollywood heist movie. Most people know about the "McMillions" scandal—the HBO documentary really laid it all bare. For those who missed it, a security chief named Jerome Jacobson basically rigged the game for over a decade, siphoning off $24 million in prizes to his friends and family. It was a massive mess.
After that, the game’s reputation took a hit, and eventually, the US version just stopped. But the hunger never went away. In October 2025, McDonald’s finally caved to the "clamoring" fans. They didn't just bring it back; they overhauled it.
The 2025-2026 era of the game is built entirely around the MyMcDonald’s Rewards system. You can’t just walk in, grab a large fry, and hope for the best anymore without having your phone handy. It’s all about the "digital peel" now.
How to Play McDonald's Monopoly in 2026
If you’re looking to get in on the action, the window is usually pretty tight. Historically, the game runs for about six weeks in the fall—think late September through early November.
To play, you’ve got to be 18 or older. You download the app, register for the game, and then start hunting for "eligible menu items." These are the usual suspects:
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese
- Large Fries (the classic)
- 10 or 20-piece Chicken McNuggets
- Large Iced Coffees and McCafé beverages
- Egg McMuffins and various biscuit sandwiches
Here is where it gets interesting: the stickers aren't just physical anymore. Some items you buy through the app give you "digital game pieces" directly in your account. No peeling required. If you do get a physical sticker on a fry box, you have to scan it into the app to "bank" the property. This is how they stop people from selling rare stickers on eBay or faking them like they did in the 90s.
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The Odds: Is It Actually Possible to Win?
Let's talk reality. The odds of winning a "food prize"—like a free cheeseburger or a McFlurry—are actually pretty decent, usually around 1 in 4 or 1 in 5. You’re almost guaranteed to get a free snack if you play enough.
But the big stuff? That’s a different story. For the 2025/2026 season, the prize pool topped $471 million globally. We're talking $1 million cash prizes, 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokees, and even $50,000 vacation packages.
The catch is the "rare" pieces. Everyone finds Mediterranean Avenue. Everyone. But try finding Boardwalk or Mayfair (depending on your country's board). Those pieces are printed in such limited quantities that winning the jackpot is statistically similar to being struck by lightning while winning the actual lottery. It’s fun, but don't quit your day job over a Big Mac.
Global Variations: Not All Monopoly Is Created Equal
One thing people get wrong about does McDonald's still do Monopoly is assuming it's the same everywhere. It's really not.
In the UK, the game is a massive cultural event that happens every September like clockwork. They have "Gold Cards" that give winners a free meal every week for a year. Australia has its own version called "Maccas Monopoly," often featuring local prizes like gift cards for Oz-specific retailers.
The US version is the most restrictive. You have to use the app. In some other countries, you can still play almost entirely with physical pieces, though even those are moving toward a "hybrid" model where scanning is required for the big wins.
The Strategy: How to Actually Boost Your Chances
If you’re serious about this, you don’t just buy random food. You look for "Double Labels" or "Triple Labels."
- Check the "Bonus Play": In the 2026 version, every piece you scan usually gives you a "Bonus Play" in the app. This is a second-chance game where you can land on a property or win instant rewards like Uber Eats credits.
- Odd Hour Entry: Some of the digital prizes are awarded to the "first person to enter after a specific timestamp." Entering your codes at 3:00 AM on a Tuesday is kiiiinda more likely to hit than doing it during the Friday lunch rush.
- Pre-Registration: McDonald’s usually offers 500+ bonus rewards points just for signing up for the game the week before it starts. It’s free points for doing basically nothing.
What Happens if You Actually Win?
If you hit an "Instant Win" for a burger, you just show the app at the counter or drive-thru. Easy.
If you find a rare property and complete a set, do not just throw the stickers away after scanning. Even though the game is digital-heavy, the official rules almost always state that McDonald's can request the physical game pieces for verification before handing over a $100,000 check. Stick them on a piece of paper and keep them in a safe place.
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Also, keep in mind that prizes over a certain value (usually $600 in the US) are taxable. That "free" $50,000 vacation might come with a hefty bill from the IRS next April.
Actionable Insights for the Next Season
Since the game typically runs in the fall, here is what you should do right now:
- Keep the App Updated: The "Monopoly" tab usually only appears a week before launch. If your app is out of date, you’ll miss the pre-registration window.
- Watch the "No Purchase Necessary" Rules: Legally, in the US and Canada, they have to let you play without buying food. You can usually mail in a request for game pieces. It costs a stamp, but it’s cheaper than a 20-piece nugget.
- Join Online Communities: Subreddits and Discord servers dedicated to the game are great for tracking which pieces are "rare" for the current year. If you have two pieces of a set and everyone online says the third one is the common one, you know you’re just one snack away from a win.
The game has definitely changed since the 80s, but the "thrill of the peel" is still very much alive. Just remember to eat a salad occasionally between those Monopoly-eligible fries.