“WHEN THE EAGLE FINALLY TOOK FLIGHT, THE STADIUM WENT SILENT.” — BUDWEISER MARKS 150 YEARS WITH A CINEMATIC SUPER BOWL LX MASTERPIECE TITLED “AMERICAN ICONS.” In a game night built for spectacle, explosions, and celebrity overload, Budweiser chose something far more powerful — restraint. Dropped during Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara, the minute-long film opens with a vulnerable Clydesdale foal discovering a fallen eaglet, setting the stage for a story that unfolds across seasons, struggles, and quiet moments of growth. Directed by Henry-Alex Rubin and set to the soaring anthem Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd, the ad builds slowly — no forced speeches, no overproduced sentiment — just two American symbols rising together. By the final frame, the fully grown bald eagle circles high above the now-mighty Clydesdale, locking in a breathtaking image of unity, resilience, and legacy that feels bigger than advertising. As fireworks lit up the stadium, it wasn’t noise people remembered — it was that soaring silhouette against the sky, a tribute to 150 years of storytelling that didn’t just sell beer, it claimed the emotional center of the night…

Bald Eagle and Clydesdale Horse Share Epic Friendship in Budweiser’s 2026 Super Bowl Commercial

Budweiser is celebrating 150 years of making beer in the U.S. by featuring two “American icon” animals in its 2026 Super Bowl ad

Clydesdale Horses Team Up with Bald Eagles for Budweiser's Epic 2026 Super Bowl Commercial

A scene from Budweiser’s 2026 Super Bowl commercial, “American Icons”.Credit : 

Budweiser

Budweiser is back with a brand new Super Bowl commercial.

The beer brand is celebrating 150 years of brewing in the U.S., and to mark the occasion, Budweiser is featuring two “American Icons” animals in its Super Bowl LX ad of the same name: a bald eagle and one of Budweiser’s iconic Clydesdale horses. After sharing two adorable teasers of the spot, PEOPLE has a look at the full commercial ahead of Super Bowl Sunday.

In the ad, marking the 48th Super Bowl commercial appearance by Budweiser Clydesdales, a down-on-its-luck eaglet befriends a Clydesdale foal.

Clydesdale and Bald Eagle Become Best Friends in Budweiser's 2026 Super Bowl Ad

“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.” Todd Allen, the SVP of Marketing for Budweiser at Anheuser-Busch, shared in a statement.

Clydesdale Horse and Bald Eagle are Best Buds! #shorts #video #clydesdale #beer #eagle #commercial - YouTube

The commercial begins with a Clydesdale foal greeting the morning by galloping out of their stable into the fields. During the horse’s jaunt, the animal comes across an American bald eagle chick who has fallen from their nest onto the ground. Despite the drop, the tiny, fluffy eaglet appears unharmed and too young to fly.

Over the course of the ad, the two animals form a strong friendship, supporting each other through rain, snow, growing pains, and flying lessons. It ends with the two creatures fully grown and more in sync than ever. Now, able to soar, the bald eagle riding the horse’s back spreads its wings and takes off, making the Clydesdale briefly look like a mythical pegasus. The ad cuts to Budweiser’s slogan “Made of America,” followed by the text “For 150 Years, This Bud’s For You,” before concluding on a teary-eyed farmer watching the Clydesdale and eagle thrive together.

Budweiser Clydesdale Super Bowl Commercial 2026 Showcases Bald Eagle and American Spirit | News and UPSC Portal

“Are you crying?” his companion asks. “The sun’s in my eyes,” the emotional farmer responds. According to Budweiser, one of the farmers featured in the 2026 Super Bowl ad is Brian Fransen, a real-life Budweiser barley farmer.

The commercial is set to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s rocking epic, “Free Bird.” To bring the entire ad to life, Budweiser worked with Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Henry-Alex Rubin for the third year in a row. The brand worked with an eagle actor from the American Eagle Foundation for the shoot, which was reviewed and permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The minute-long “American Icons” spot will air nationally during Super Bowl LX and on Budweiser’s YouTube and social channels.

The Seattle Seahawks will play the New England Patriots for Super Bowl LX on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

 

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