Budweiser's 2026 Super Bowl Ad

Budweiser is set to air a 60-second commercial during Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. The advertisement features a young Clydesdale pony forming a lifelong friendship with a baby bald eagle, set to the iconic song "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The ad includes a scene where the horse jumps over an obstacle with the eagle on its back, creating an image reminiscent of Pegasus.

Advertising Themes and Objectives

According to Todd Allen, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Budweiser at Anheuser-Busch, the spot aims to commemorate two significant milestones:

Budweiser's 150th anniversary.
America's 250th birthday.

Allen stated that the company intended to "rise to the occasion in a way only Budweiser can," anticipating the ad would instill pride in viewers.

History of Clydesdales in Super Bowl Advertising

The 2026 appearance will mark the Clydesdales' 48th overall in Super Bowl advertising. Their inclusion in commercials often depends on Anheuser-Busch executives' perception of a creative concept that aligns with the current national sentiment.

2002: Clydesdales appeared in an ad following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, aiming to support national healing.
2017: An ad depicted a young Adolphus Busch's journey from Germany to St. Louis, encountering hostile remarks, released during a period of debate over immigration policies.

Production Details

Henry-Alex Rubin directed the Super Bowl effort for the third consecutive year. The use of Lynyrd Skynyrd's 1973 classic "Free Bird" in advertising is noted as uncommon, despite its appearance in films. Classic rock anthems are frequently used to engage the broad Super Bowl audience.

Previous examples include Nike's use of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" in 2025 and Anheuser-Busch's use of The Band's "The Weight" in 2024.

Anticipated Audience Reception

The commercial will be broadcast to a diverse and polarized American audience. Current national issues, such as immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota and U.S. economic and foreign policies (e.g., White House tariffs, actions regarding Greenland and Venezuela), may influence how consumers perceive and react to the advertisement.

The Enduring Legacy of the Clydesdales

The association of Clydesdale horses with Budweiser began in 1933.

August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch III gifted a six-horse Clydesdale hitch to their father, August A. Busch, Sr., to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition.
The horses symbolized the traditional method of beer delivery by wagon.
In 2026, Anheuser-Busch operates three traveling Clydesdale teams, each spending approximately 300 days annually touring the U.S.
An average male Clydesdale stands about six feet tall and weighs around 2,000 pounds.