Fast food giant McDonald's has announced the permanent return of its colossal Big Arch burger to menus across the United Kingdom and Ireland, confirming fan speculation ahead of its full January 2026 line-up reveal.
The Details: Price, Launch Date, and What's Inside
The Big Arch will be available once again from January 5, 2026, but customers should prepare for a price increase compared to its initial summer launch. The burger alone will now cost £8.79, with a medium meal setting you back £10.69. This marks a rise from its introductory prices of £7.99 and £9.99 respectively.
Dubbed a 'Big Mac on steroids' by enthusiasts on social media, the burger is the largest item sold by the chain. It features a significantly bigger footprint than the iconic Big Mac and is built with two Quarter Pounder beef patties instead of the standard smaller beef discs.
The construction is an elaborate affair. It starts with the signature 'Big Arch sauce' – a blend of McDonald's ketchup, mustard, pickle juice, pepper, and other secret ingredients – applied to both halves of a toasted sesame and poppy seed bun. The assembly then includes crispy onions, slivered raw onions, shredded lettuce, and pickles. Each bun half gets a slice of white cheddar and a Quarter Pounder patty, with a third slice of cheese crowning one side before the whole creation is closed, sandwiching the extra cheese between the two meat patties.
Executive Hype and a Warning About the Mess
Thomas O’Neill, Head of Menu for McDonald’s UK and Ireland, has grandly proclaimed the Big Arch as one of the 'biggest things [McDonald’s] will launch in a generation'. He emphasised that the burger and its unique sauce are designed to deliver 'maximum McDonald’s flavour' and an unmistakable brand identity.
Ben Fox, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the UK and Ireland, stated: 'The Big Arch is back for good... This is a burger that has earned its permanent place on the menu alongside the Big Mac.'
However, a hands-on review from a journalist who sampled the burger in June 2025 reveals a significant caveat: it's famously messy. The generous slathering of sauce causes ingredients to slip, making it a challenging eat without cutlery. The reviewer noted it's not an ideal drive-thru or car snack unless you don't mind wearing part of your meal, but praised its bold, meaty flavour and satisfying crunch from the crispy onions, ultimately rating it a nine out of ten.
A Permanent Fixture for Big Appetites
The decision to make the Big Arch a permanent menu item follows a successful trial period where customer demand made the chain's direction clear. It is positioned as the ultimate solution for when a Big Mac or Double Cheeseburger simply isn't enough to satisfy a large hunger.
While it divided opinion during its first run – with some critics calling it a 'sloppy mess' – its triumphant return suggests McDonald's is betting big on the appeal of a premium, oversized burger experience for the UK market in 2026 and beyond.
