Purchase, N.Y. – September 14, 2026 -- Pepsi is offering fans a free 12-pack of Pepsi Zero Sugar through September 14 as it launches its 26th season of NFL partnership with a new ad campaign starring Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis and Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson.
The free 12-pack offer runs through September 14 while supplies last.
Starting September 9, fans in the United States can redeem a digital offer for one free 12-pack of Pepsi Zero Sugar 12 oz cans at participating retailers. The promotion ends the earlier of September 14 or when 5,000 redemptions are reached. Tax and deposit are not included.
Bettis plays the "Pepsi ref" in a new ad throwing flags on flavorless gameday food.
The campaign, called Tailgating Deserves Pepsi, opens with Bettis blowing the whistle on a burger served without Pepsi before Jefferson steps in with what the brand calls a highlight-worthy assist. Two additional spots, set in a fan's home and a grocery store aisle, will air later in the season during high-viewership NFL moments.
"Great food, great football and Pepsi belong together," Bettis said. "This season, I'm calling it like I see it."
Pepsi now holds partnerships with 15 NFL teams, including a newly added franchise.
The brand's team roster includes 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.
Gustavo Reyna, Vice President of Marketing for Pepsi, said the brand's decades-long NFL relationship has shown that food sits at the center of gameday tradition, and that Pepsi is built for the bold flavors of burgers, wings, pizza and tacos served on tailgate spreads.
Throughout the rest of the season, Pepsi plans to extend the Tailgating Deserves Pepsi platform with exclusive merchandise, tailgating experiences and team-specific activations tied to football's biggest food moments.