Budweiser is back with a brand new Super Bowl commercial to mark its 150th anniversary in the U.S. The beer company is also celebrating America’s 250th birthday in the same spot, featuring a bald eagle and a Clydesdale foal in its “American Icons” ad. The commercial will air during Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8, 2026 and will be available on Budweiser’s YouTube and social channels.
At a Glance
- Budweiser’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th birthday celebrated in a Super Bowl ad.
- The spot features a bald eagle and a Clydesdale foal forming a friendship.
- The ad airs on Feb. 8, 2026 during Super Bowl LX and online.
- Why it matters: It showcases Budweiser’s long heritage and ties to American culture, reinforcing brand loyalty.
Budweiser’s 150th Anniversary and Super Bowl LX
Budweiser is celebrating 150 years of brewing in the U.S. with a commercial that also nods to America’s 250th birthday. The brand has made 48 appearances in Super Bowl commercials, and this year’s spot is the 48th. The timing aligns with the Seattle Seahawks facing the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The “American Icons” Commercial
The ad opens with a Clydesdale foal galloping out of its stable into open fields. While trotting, the foal discovers a bald eagle chick that has fallen from its nest. The eaglet is unharmed but too young to fly. Over the course of the commercial, the two animals bond, supporting each other through rain, snow, growing pains, and flying lessons. The climax shows the eagle, now grown, riding the foal’s back and taking flight, turning the horse into a mythical Pegasus.
“As we celebrate Budweiser’s 150th anniversary and America’s 250th birthday, we knew we had to rise to the occasion in a way only Budweiser can. ‘American Icons’ brings our heritage to life through powerful storytelling with the Budweiser Clydesdales and an American Bald Eagle. This year’s spot will leave fans awestruck and proud to enjoy a Budweiser as they celebrate our shared milestone moments,” said Todd Allen, the SVP of Marketing for Budweiser at Anheuser-Busch.
The commercial ends with the slogan “Made in America” and the text “For 150 Years, This Bud’s For You,” followed by a teary-eyed farmer watching the duo thrive. “Are you crying?” his companion asks. “The sun’s in my eyes,” the emotional farmer responds. One of the farmers featured is Brian Fransen, a real-life Budweiser barley farmer.
Production and Creative Team
To bring the ad to life, Budweiser worked with Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Henry-Alex Rubin for the third year in a row. The spot is set to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s rocking epic “Free Bird.” An eagle actor from the American Eagle Foundation performed the bird scenes, and the shoot was reviewed and permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Broadcast and Availability
The minute-long “American Icons” spot will air nationally during Super Bowl LX and will also be available on Budweiser’s YouTube and social channels. The game takes place on Feb. 8, 2026 at Levi’s Stadium.
Key Takeaways
- Budweiser marks 150 years of brewing with a Super Bowl commercial that also celebrates America’s 250th birthday.
- The ad features a bald eagle and a Clydesdale foal forming a friendship, culminating in a flying finale.
- Production involved filmmaker Henry-Alex Rubin, the song “Free Bird,” and an eagle actor approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- The commercial will be broadcast during Super Bowl LX and shared online.
- The ad reinforces Budweiser’s heritage and American identity, aiming to resonate with viewers during a major national event.
