Budweiser isn’t just advertising this Super Bowl season—it’s telling a story that feels stitched into the country’s collective memory. Released two weeks ahead of Super Bowl LX, the brand’s 2026 commercial has already struck a powerful chord, with viewers calling it “another classic” and praising its quiet, emotional impact.
Titled “American Icons,” the ad arrives at a rare cultural crossroads: the United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary, while Budweiser marks 150 years as one of America’s most recognizable brands. Rather than leaning into flashy visuals or clever dialogue, Budweiser chose restraint—and that choice is exactly what makes the spot resonate.
Set to the unmistakable opening notes of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Bird,” the commercial unfolds almost entirely without words. Instead, it relies on imagery deeply rooted in American symbolism: sweeping open landscapes, the steady strength of the Budweiser Clydesdales, and the soaring presence of a bald eagle. It feels timeless, intentional, and deeply personal.
The story centers on an unlikely friendship between a Clydesdale foal and a young eaglet struggling to fly. As the seasons change, the two grow together, encouraging one another through quiet perseverance rather than grand gestures. The foal never gives up on the eaglet—and the eaglet never stops trying.
Then comes the moment viewers can’t stop talking about. As the now-grown Clydesdale clears a fallen tree, sunlight pours in behind it, revealing massive wings stretched across its back. For a brief, breathtaking instant, the horse appears almost mythical—before the fully grown bald eagle emerges and takes flight. It’s not just visually striking; it’s symbolic, hopeful, and undeniably emotional.
Budweiser had teased the ad for days with short clips titled “Stable” and “Foal,” sparking speculation about a mysterious animal and the youngest Clydesdale ever featured in the brand’s commercials. The full release tied those pieces together in a way that exceeded expectations, transforming curiosity into awe.
According to Todd Allen, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Budweiser at Anheuser-Busch, the Americana theme was very much by design.
“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,” Allen shared. “‘American Icons’ brings our heritage to life through powerful storytelling with the Budweiser Clydesdales and an American Bald Eagle.”
That intention shows. There’s no hard sell, no slogan shouting for attention. Instead, the ad reminds viewers why certain images—an eagle in flight, a horse in motion, a song passed down through generations—still matter. It’s less about beer and more about belonging.
In a Super Bowl era often dominated by spectacle and punchlines, Budweiser’s 2026 commercial stands apart by doing something braver: slowing down. And in doing so, it delivers a moment that feels earned, emotional, and unmistakably American.
