Matthews and McDavid Clash in Miniature Hockey Battle for Fast-Food Campaign
The rivalry between Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews and Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid has taken a playful turn, as the two NHL superstars face off in a new advertising campaign for McDonald's. This latest commercial, which debuted on Monday night during a Maple Leafs versus Philadelphia Flyers game, features a mini-stick showdown that shrinks the players down to toy size, adding a whimsical twist to their on-ice competition.
Animated Antics and Fast-Food Fun
In the ad, animated versions of Matthews and McDavid engage in a spirited game using Star Sticks, which are new mini collectibles available at McDonald's. The players deftly maneuver around burgers, drinks, and even send fries flying with a big hit, showcasing slick moves that mirror their real-life skills. Goals are scored into ketchup-packet nets, leading to a comedic moment when a puck accidentally hits an unsuspecting restaurant patron's drink, with both athletes trying to blame each other.
According to a press release from McDonald's Canada, the NHL Star Sticks meal launched on Tuesday, described as "loaded with nostalgia, bold flavours and collectibles that'll have you rushing (or skating) to your nearest McDonald's." The collectible lineup includes not only Matthews and McDavid but also other prominent NHL stars such as Macklin Celebrini, Quinn Hughes, Cale Makar, Sam Reinhart, and Samuel Montembeault.
Expanded Menu and Player Excitement
Alongside the Star Sticks, McDonald's is introducing the Hockey Hero Burger to its menu. This burger features three 100% Canadian beef patties topped with shredded lettuce, crispy hickory-smoked bacon, cheese, and a mayo-style sauce on a toasted homestyle bun. McDavid expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, "It's exciting to team up with McDonald's again and this time around we're giving fans a mini hockey experience." Matthews added, "The NHL Star Sticks are such a cool way for fans to collect a little piece of the game."
The ad campaign was teased by McDavid on Sunday, with a social media post showing him holding a tiny roll of hockey tape and captioning it, "need a smaller stick for this," while tagging Matthews. The Maple Leafs captain responded with a photo of himself holding a minuscule puck, highlighting the playful banter between the two athletes.
Continuing a Friendly Rivalry
This commercial follows a previous popular ad from last year, where Matthews and McDavid recreated iconic showdowns between hockey legends Wayne Gretzky and Mats Sundin, as well as basketball icons Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. In that spot, the duo engaged in a trick-shot competition with McDavid's Big Mac at stake, featuring challenges like shooting from the stands, a quick race, and even a slapshot through a billboard that left McDavid's image missing a tooth.
On the ice, Matthews and McDavid have faced off multiple times recently, including a Maple Leafs victory over the Oilers in Edmonton and a gold medal win for Team USA against Team Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. Their rivalry, both competitive and cordial, continues to captivate fans, making this advertising partnership a natural fit for engaging hockey enthusiasts and fast-food customers alike.
