Pepsi is once again leaning into football culture with a playful twist. Comedy director Pete Marquis, already behind the brand’s witty “Undercover cups” and “Chase cars” campaigns, has returned to collaborate with BBDO NY on a new spot titled Tailgate crashers.
This latest campaign recruits NFL heavyweights Josh Allen and Justin Jefferson to join the Pepsi crashers, surprising fans by showing up at parking lot gatherings across the country. The message is simple: no gameday celebration is complete without a cooler packed with ice-cold Pepsi.
But the initiative doesn’t stop at commercials. Pepsi has announced real-life tailgate takeovers at major NFL venues this fall, including Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, MetLife Stadium in New York, FedExField in Washington, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, AT&T Stadium in Dallas, and others. These events will transform traditional pre-game parties into lively, Pepsi-powered experiences, blending bold flavors, sizzling food, and fan-favorite athletes.
The Tailgate crashers campaign will roll out nationally on broadcast TV, backed by a robust digital and social push throughout the season. Fans can expect more surprises, with additional NFL players and culinary talent joining the action. From stadium lots to living rooms, Pepsi is positioning itself as the ultimate tailgate essential.
