Pepsi Kicks Off Its 26th NFL Season With Jerome Bettis and Justin Jefferson, Reminding Fans That Tailgating Deserves Pepsi

Pepsi is bringing back Tailgating Deserves Pepsi, a platform built around what fans already know: gameday food tastes better with the bold taste of Pepsi. To kick off the season, Pepsi is bringing that idea to life through new creative starring Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome "The Bus" Bettis and NFL superstar Justin Jefferson. As the official Pepsi ref of gameday flavor, Bettis throws the flag when gameday favorites need an ice-cold Pepsi, helping fans turn every moment into a winning play.

In the campaign launch spot, Bettis blows the whistle on a burger without Pepsi before Justin Jefferson gets in the play with a highlight-worthy assist. Two additional spots set in a fan's home and a grocery store aisle will also debut throughout the season during the NFL's most-watched moments, with Bettis popping up wherever gameday flavor needs a referee.

"I know a great gameday setup when I see one," said Jerome Bettis, Pro Football Hall of Famer. "Great food, great football and Pepsi belong together. This season, I'm calling it like I see it. Tailgating Deserves Pepsi, and I'm here to make sure fans are ready for kickoff."

With the longest NFL Kickoff ever on the horizon, Pepsi is making the right call on gameday flavor easier for fans. From September 9 through September 14, fans can get a free 12-pack of the best-tasting Pepsi Zero Sugar while supplies last, helping them stock their fridges and coolers for gameday.

Valid as a digital offer only and redeemable for one (1) free Pepsi® Zero Sugar 12 oz, 12-pack at participating retailers in the United States. Tax and deposit not included. Offer begins 9/9/26 and ends the earlier of 9/14/26 or when 5,000 redemptions have been reached, whichever occurs first. PEPSI® and the Pepsi Globe are registered trademarks of PepsiCo, Inc.

"Our decades-long partnership with the NFL has given Pepsi a front-row seat to the moments, traditions and rituals that make gameday so special, and we know food is at the center of it all," said Gustavo Reyna, Vice President of Marketing, Pepsi. "With Tailgating Deserves Pepsi, we're reminding fans that gameday spreads are too important to fumble. Pepsi is made for the bold flavors of football season, and Jerome and Justin give us a fun way to call it: when the food shows up, Pepsi should be right there with it."

The new creative is just the kickoff. Throughout the season, Pepsi will bring Tailgating Deserves Pepsi to life through exclusive merchandise, tailgating experiences, fan surprises and team-specific activations tied to football's biggest food moments. The campaign is part of a growing Pepsi brand presence across football, including partnerships with 15 NFL teams: the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders and the recently announced Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tailgating Deserves Pepsi builds on the idea behind Food Deserves Pepsi®: a meal without Pepsi leaves taste on the table. With refreshing fizz, sweetness and unique flavor, Pepsi is crafted to complement bold, flavorful foods and bring out the best in every bite. Whether gameday calls for burgers, wings, tacos, ribs, pizza or more, the pairing is simple: gameday food deserves Pepsi.