Every fall, McDonald’s tests our collective sanity by bringing back Monopoly, convincing millions of us that this is finally the year we won’t end up with five copies of Baltic Avenue. Starting Oct. 6, the annual sweepstakes is officially returning to drive-thrus nationwide. And, thankfully, Mickey D’s listened to the feedback and brought back the physical peel-off stickers we all know and love.
How to play McDonald’s Monopoly
Playing the game is pretty straightforward, though McDonald’s is definitely using this as an excuse to get everyone onto their mobile app.
Here’s what you need to do to get ready for Oct. 6, per the official rules:
- Pre-register: Download the McDonald’s app, opt into the Rewards program, and register for the Monopoly game before you order.
- Order and peel: Buy eligible menu items at the drive-thru, kiosk or counter and peel the physical game pieces directly off the packaging.
- Scan in the app: Scan your peeled code to log your property pieces or claim instant-win prizes.
Pro tip: If you register in the app before placing your order and show your Rewards code at checkout, you’ll automatically get a bonus Chance Card play in the app for every eligible item you buy through Nov. 1.
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What can you win?
McDonald’s is offering some seriously high-stakes prizes this year alongside the usual free food items. The game pieces fall into four categories:
- Instant-Win Food: Free McChickens, Snack Wraps, McGriddles (my personal fave), shakes, smoothies and small fries.
- Instant-Win Loyalty Points: Anywhere from 1,500 to 7,000 MyMcDonald’s Reward points dropped straight into your account.
- Collect to Win: Collect full property sets to land big-ticket items like a 2027 Jeep Cherokee, a Carnival Cruise vacation, a VIP trip to the Kennedy Space Center or a Polaris off-road vehicle.
- Chance Cards: Virtual wild cards that unlock digital instant wins. These range from $20 Ulta and Uber Eats gift cards up to $50,000 toward a home down payment, $50,000 toward college debt or a $1 million cash prize. (There’s also a “Free McDonald’s for a Year” prize awarded as a $1,040 gift card, which honestly might cover only a few months of drive-thrus, depending on your hash brown habit.)
Which menu items have Monopoly game pieces?
You can’t just order black coffee and expect a game piece (that would be nice, wouldn’t it?). McDonald’s limits the stickers to specific breakfast, lunch and dinner items. According to its official announcement, eligible items include but aren’t limited to:
- Egg McMuffins
- Quarter Pounder with Cheese
- Large fries
- Large hot and cold drinks
The game officially runs from Oct. 6 through Nov. 1 (or whenever your local store runs out of stickered packaging). So brace yourself for a month of eating large fries for lunch in the pursuit of financial freedom — or at least a free McChicken.
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