McDonald's Monopoly

In 2015, the Monopoly game was replaced in the US by "Game Time Gold", using an [[National Football League|NFL]] theme.[http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/mcdonald-s-plays-nfl-team-love-giveaway-game/301080/ McDonald's Plays on Love for NFL Teams in New Giveaway Game] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419204209/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/mcdonald-s-plays-nfl-team-love-giveaway-game/301080/ |date=April 19, 2016 }} November 2015

In 2015, the Monopoly game was replaced in the US by "Game Time Gold", using an [[National Football League|NFL]] theme.[http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/mcdonald-s-plays-nfl-team-love-giveaway-game/301080/ McDonald's Plays on Love for NFL Teams in New Giveaway Game] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160419204209/http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/mcdonald-s-plays-nfl-team-love-giveaway-game/301080/ |date=April 19, 2016 }} November 2015

In 2020, in the UK, it was intended to run in the middle of March that year, but due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the promotion was postponed.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/mcdonaldsuk/status/1234373120879988737|title=You know what's coming. And this year it's going to be even more special. Watch this space...|access-date=2021-10-01|website=Twitter|language=en|archive-date=October 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001211220/https://twitter.com/mcdonaldsuk/status/1234373120879988737|url-status=live}} Instead, the same promotion "Monopoly VIP" was instead run in 2021,{{Cite web|date=2021-09-07|title=Online Game Code Entry {{!}} Monopoly at McDonald's 2021|url=https://monopoly.mcdonalds.co.uk/|access-date=2021-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907175907/https://monopoly.mcdonalds.co.uk/|archive-date=September 7, 2021}} with the promotion originally going to run in March but got delayed to August that year. As a result of the promotion being postponed, the stickers for that year's promotion had incorrect dates, as they were originally printed before the delay was made.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-02|title=NEWS {{!}} MONOPOLY promotion at McDonald's {{!}} Online Game|url=https://mcdpromotionsnews.co.uk/|access-date=2021-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902125754/https://mcdpromotionsnews.co.uk/|archive-date=September 2, 2021}}

In 2020, in the UK, it was intended to run in the middle of March that year, but due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the promotion was postponed.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/mcdonaldsuk/status/1234373120879988737|title=You know what's coming. And this year it's going to be even more special. Watch this space...|access-date=2021-10-01|website=Twitter|language=en|archive-date=October 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211001211220/https://twitter.com/mcdonaldsuk/status/1234373120879988737|url-status=live}} Instead, the same promotion "Monopoly VIP" was instead run in 2021,{{Cite web|date=2021-09-07|title=Online Game Code Entry: Monopoly at McDonald's 2021|url=https://monopoly.mcdonalds.co.uk/|access-date=2021-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907175907/https://monopoly.mcdonalds.co.uk/|archive-date=September 7, 2021}} with the promotion originally going to run in March but got delayed to August that year. As a result of the promotion being postponed, the stickers for that year's promotion had incorrect dates, as they were originally printed before the delay was made.{{Cite web|date=2021-09-02|title=NEWS: MONOPOLY promotion at McDonald's: Online Game|url=https://mcdpromotionsnews.co.uk/|access-date=2021-10-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902125754/https://mcdpromotionsnews.co.uk/|archive-date=September 2, 2021}}

Early October 2025 saw their return to the U.S. after a decade-long hiatus.

Early October 2025 saw their return to the U.S. after a decade-long hiatus.{{fact}}

==Gameplay==

==Gameplay==

[[File:Mcdgamepieces.jpg|thumb|right|Example of a variety of tokens from the UK version of the game, 2014, with standard disposable cigarette lighter for scale]]

[[File:Mcdgamepieces.jpg|thumb|right|Example of a variety of tokens from the UK version of the game, 2014, with standard disposable cigarette lighter for scale]]

The promotion mimics the game ''[[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]''. The game is also advertised with tokens appearing in Sunday newspapers.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R6q5BwAAQBAJ&q=Sunday+newspapers&pg=PA214|title=Fraud Examination|first1=W. Steve|last1=Albrecht|first2=Chad O.|last2=Albrecht|first3=Conan C.|last3=Albrecht|first4=Mark F.|last4=Zimbelman|date=2 April 2015|publisher=Cengage Learning|isbn=9781305840485|access-date=12 August 2018|via=Google Books|archive-date=July 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704202010/https://books.google.com/books?id=R6q5BwAAQBAJ&q=Sunday+newspapers&pg=PA214|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/mcdonalds/mcdcmplt81601.pdf |title=FindLaw Legal Blogs - FindLaw |publisher=News.findlaw.com |date=2019-11-18 |access-date=2020-01-04 |archive-date=August 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812120057/http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/mcdonalds/mcdcmplt81601.pdf |url-status=live }} Originally, customers received a set of two tokens with every purchase, but now tokens come only with certain menu items. Tokens correspond to a property space on the Monopoly board (with the exception of the ''Golden Avenue/Arches Avenue'' "properties", which were added in the 2008 edition; and ''Electric Company/Water Works'' utilities added in 2014). When combined into color-matched properties, the tokens may be redeemed for money or prizes. Historically, the grand prize ($1 million, [[annuity]] only) has been the combination of the two most costly properties, Park Place and Boardwalk, but in the 2006–2007 games the top prize ($5 million, with the traditional $1 million prize for Boardwalk/Park Place) was awarded for collecting the four railroads. In the 2025 game, the $1 million prize could only be won via the "Bonus Play" feature in the McDonalds app, with Bonus Plays being collected each time a customer redeems a game piece.

The promotion mimics the game ''[[Monopoly (game)|Monopoly]]''. The game is also advertised with tokens appearing in Sunday newspapers.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R6q5BwAAQBAJ&q=Sunday+newspapers&pg=PA214|title=Fraud Examination|first1=W. Steve|last1=Albrecht|first2=Chad O.|last2=Albrecht|first3=Conan C.|last3=Albrecht|first4=Mark F.|last4=Zimbelman|date=2 April 2015|publisher=Cengage Learning|isbn=9781305840485|access-date=12 August 2018|via=Google Books|archive-date=July 4, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230704202010/https://books.google.com/books?id=R6q5BwAAQBAJ&q=Sunday+newspapers&pg=PA214|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/mcdonalds/mcdcmplt81601.pdf |title=FindLaw Legal Blogs - FindLaw |publisher=News.findlaw.com |date=2019-11-18 |access-date=2020-01-04 |archive-date=August 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812120057/http://news.findlaw.com/cnn/docs/mcdonalds/mcdcmplt81601.pdf |url-status=live }} Originally, customers received a set of two tokens with every purchase, but now tokens come only with certain menu items. Tokens correspond to a property space on the Monopoly board (with the exception of the ''Golden Avenue/Arches Avenue'' "properties", which were added in the 2008 edition; and ''Electric Company/Water Works'' utilities added in 2014). When combined into color-matched properties, the tokens may be redeemed for money or prizes. Historically, the grand prize ($1 million, [[annuity]] only) has been the combination of the two most costly properties, Park Place and Boardwalk, but in the 2006–2007 games the top prize ($5 million, with the traditional $1 million prize for Boardwalk/Park Place) was awarded for collecting the four railroads. In the 2025 game, the $1 million prize could only be won via the "Bonus Play" feature in the McDonalds app, with Bonus Plays being collected each time a customer redeems a game piece.{{fact}}

There are also "instant win" tokens the recipient can redeem for McDonald's food (typically small menu items, such as a free small [[McFlurry]] or [[List of McDonald's products#Other products|medium fries]]) but never for any food item that has game pieces, money, or other prizes. The 2001 edition was titled "Pick Your Prize!", in which winners could choose which of three ways they wanted their prize awarded (i.e., they could choose gold, diamonds, or $50,000 per year for 20 years).

There are also "instant win" tokens the recipient can redeem for McDonald's food (typically small menu items, such as a free small [[McFlurry]] or [[List of McDonald's products#Other products|medium fries]]) but never for any food item that has game pieces, money, or other prizes. The 2001 edition was titled "Pick Your Prize!", in which winners could choose which of three ways they wanted their prize awarded (i.e., they could choose gold, diamonds, or $50,000 per year for 20 years).{{fact}}

In 2016, the game changed so that all available prizes were cash, including the $1 million for Park Place and Boardwalk, and was titled "Money Monopoly".{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/08/behind-hollywoods-mcdonalds-monopoly-article-bidding-war.html|title=Behind Hollywood's A-List Bidding War for a McDonald's Monopoly Article|first=Chris|last=Lee|website=vulture.com|date=August 10, 2018|access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=August 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812104200/http://www.vulture.com/2018/08/behind-hollywoods-mcdonalds-monopoly-article-bidding-war.html|url-status=live}}

In 2016, the game changed so that all available prizes were cash, including the $1 million for Park Place and Boardwalk, and was titled "Money Monopoly".{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/08/behind-hollywoods-mcdonalds-monopoly-article-bidding-war.html|title=Behind Hollywood's A-List Bidding War for a McDonald's Monopoly Article|first=Chris|last=Lee|website=vulture.com|date=August 10, 2018|access-date=12 August 2018|archive-date=August 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812104200/http://www.vulture.com/2018/08/behind-hollywoods-mcdonalds-monopoly-article-bidding-war.html|url-status=live}}

In 2025, when the Monopoly promotion returned to the US, McDonalds largely discontinued the physical collecting aspect of the game and moved it to their own smartphone app, which is mainly used to order McDonalds food outside of the restaurant, restricting it to members of their MyMcDonald's Rewards loyalty program. While physical tokens will still be printed for the game, customers must redeem them in the McDonalds app in order to count in the game. Other food items were moved to be exclusively redeemed in the McDonalds app.{{cite news |last1=Valinsky |first1=Jordan |title=McDonald's is bringing back Monopoly after a decade — with a twist |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/29/food/mcdonalds-monopoly-game-return |access-date=September 30, 2025 |work=CNN |date=September 29, 2025 |language=en}} [[File:McDonald's Monopoly, United States, 2025.jpg|thumb|Game pieces for McDonald's Monopoly in 2025]]

In 2025, when the Monopoly promotion returned to the US, McDonalds largely discontinued the physical collecting aspect of the game and moved it to their own smartphone app, which is mainly used to order McDonalds food outside of the restaurant, restricting it to members of their MyMcDonald's Rewards loyalty program. While physical tokens will still be printed for the game, customers must redeem them in the McDonalds app in order to count in the game. Other food items were moved to be exclusively redeemed in the McDonalds app.{{cite news |last1=Valinsky |first1=Jordan |title=McDonald's is bringing back Monopoly after a decade — with a twist |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/29/food/mcdonalds-monopoly-game-return |access-date=September 30, 2025 |work=CNN |date=September 29, 2025 |language=en}}

[[File:McDonald's Monopoly, United States, 2025.jpg|thumb|Game pieces for McDonald's Monopoly in 2025]]

===Coupon pieces===

===Coupon pieces===

Additionally, in the 2005 edition, certain foods always came with one coupon which could be used at either [[Best Buy]], [[Toys "R" Us]], or [[Foot Locker]] (including online stores). The value of each coupon was random, with Toys R Us coupons ranging from $1 to $5; up to $5 in coupons could be used in a single transaction. In 2008, these coupons were redeemed for up to 25% off any Foot Locker item(s). Since 2009, the promotion has not featured any coupons.

Additionally, in the 2005 edition, certain foods always came with one coupon which could be used at either [[Best Buy]], [[Toys "R" Us]], or [[Foot Locker]] (including online stores). The value of each coupon was random, with Toys R Us coupons ranging from $1 to $5; up to $5 in coupons could be used in a single transaction. In 2008, these coupons were redeemed for up to 25% off any Foot Locker item(s). Since 2009, the promotion has not featured any coupons.{{fact}}

Canadian and US laws require that game pieces be available upon request with no purchase necessary (Alternative Method of Entry, "AMOE"),{{cite web |title=Consumer's Guide to Sweepstakes and Lotteries |url=https://www.uspis.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/pub-546_consumers-guide-to-sweepstakes-lotteries_508.pdf |website=United States Postal Inspection Service |publisher=United States Postal Inspection Service |date=December 2019 |access-date=2025-10-11 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Contest Law Terms E–J |url=https://www.contestlawyer.ca/contestlawcontestlawterms-e-j/ |website=Contestlawyer.ca |publisher=Kozinets McIntosh LLP |access-date=2025-10-11 |language=en}} and could traditionally be requested by mailing a handwritten, self-addressed stamped envelope.{{cite web |url=http://playatmcd.com/ |title=2016 Money MONOPOLY Game at McDonald's | Online Game |publisher=PlayAtMCD.com |date=March 22, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2016 |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324235917/http://www.playatmcd.com/ |url-status=dead }} In the 2025 promotion, McDonald's introduced an online method for obtaining AMOE entries, allowing participants to request entries via [[e-mail]] rather than by mail through the official McDonald's AMOE website.{{cite web |title=McDonald's Alternate Method of Entry (AMOE) |url=https://amoe.playatmcd.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008050908/https://amoe.playatmcd.com/ |archive-date=October 8, 2025 |website=PlayAtMCD.com |publisher=McDonald's |access-date=2025-10-11 |language=en}}

Canadian and US laws require that game pieces be available upon request with no purchase necessary (Alternative Method of Entry, "AMOE"),{{cite web |title=Consumer's Guide to Sweepstakes and Lotteries |url=https://www.uspis.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/pub-546_consumers-guide-to-sweepstakes-lotteries_508.pdf |website=United States Postal Inspection Service |publisher=United States Postal Inspection Service |date=December 2019 |access-date=2025-10-11 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=Contest Law Terms E–J |url=https://www.contestlawyer.ca/contestlawcontestlawterms-e-j/ |website=Contestlawyer.ca |publisher=Kozinets McIntosh LLP |access-date=2025-10-11 |language=en-US}} and could traditionally be requested by mailing a handwritten, self-addressed stamped envelope.{{cite web |url=http://playatmcd.com/ |title=2016 Money MONOPOLY Game at McDonald's | Online Game |publisher=PlayAtMCD.com |date=March 22, 2016 |access-date=March 22, 2016 |archive-date=March 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324235917/http://www.playatmcd.com/ |url-status=dead }} In the 2025 promotion, McDonald's introduced an online method for obtaining AMOE entries, allowing participants to request entries via [[e-mail]] rather than by mail through the official McDonald's AMOE website.{{cite web |title=McDonald's Alternate Method of Entry (AMOE)|url=https://amoe.playatmcd.com/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251008050908/https://amoe.playatmcd.com/ |archive-date=October 8, 2025|website=PlayAtMCD.com|publisher=[[McDonald's]]|access-date=2025-10-11|language=en-US}}

===Unclaimed prizes===

===Unclaimed prizes===

Many of the prizes stay unclaimed. For example, in 2018, 25 million instant food prizes were offered in the promotion in the UK. However, only 8 million prizes were claimed overall. Out of 20 [[Mini Hatch|Mini Cooper]]s offered, only 6 were claimed.{{cite news |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/03/has-anyone-in-the-uk-ever-won-mcdonalds-monopoly-15201496/ |title=Has anyone in the UK ever won McDonald's Monopoly? |first=Elizabeth |last=Atkin |date=3 September 2021 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |access-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021005816/https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/03/has-anyone-in-the-uk-ever-won-mcdonalds-monopoly-15201496/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mcdonalds-monopoly-uk-2018-prizes-12148875 |title=McDonald's Monopoly UK is back! Here's everything on the 2018 game including prizes, when it ends and all the latest news |first=Zoe |last=Forsey |date=22 March 2018 |work=The Mirror |access-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021005823/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mcdonalds-monopoly-uk-2018-prizes-12148875 |url-status=live }}

Many of the prizes stay unclaimed. For example, in 2018, 25 million instant food prizes were offered in the promotion in the UK. However, only 8 million prizes were claimed overall. Out of 20 [[Mini Hatch|Mini Cooper]]s offered, only 6 were claimed.{{cite news |url=https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/03/has-anyone-in-the-uk-ever-won-mcdonalds-monopoly-15201496/ |title=Has anyone in the UK ever won McDonald's Monopoly? |first=Elizabeth |last=Atkin |date=3 September 2021 |work=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |access-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021005816/https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/03/has-anyone-in-the-uk-ever-won-mcdonalds-monopoly-15201496/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mcdonalds-monopoly-uk-2018-prizes-12148875 |title=McDonald's Monopoly UK is back! Here's everything on the 2018 game including prizes, when it ends and all the latest news |first=Zoe |last=Forsey |date=22 March 2018 |work=The Mirror |access-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021005823/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mcdonalds-monopoly-uk-2018-prizes-12148875 |url-status=live }}

===Rare pieces in US/Canada===

===Rare pieces in US/Canada===

The rare collectible pieces that dictate the odds of winning are as follows:

The rare collectible pieces that dictate the odds of winning are as follows:

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"

{| class="wikitable mw-collapsible"