Alright, so the 2026 Super Bowl is over, and we all survived another year of commercials. Some were pretty good, some were… well, let’s just say they paid a lot for that airtime. I watched them all, so you don’t have to. We’re going to break down the best and the worst of the 2026 super bowl ads, figure out what worked, and what definitely didn’t. It’s a tough game out there for advertisers, and not everyone scores.
Key Takeaways
Budweiser took the top spot this year with their patriotic ad, a big win for the brand.
AI was everywhere, but not all AI ads made sense to viewers.
Ads focusing on kindness and community seemed to do well.
Coinbase had a rough time, landing at the bottom of the rankings again.
Overall, ads that were clear about their product and had an emotional or funny hook did the best.
The Most Anticipated Ads of Super Bowl 2026
Alright, Super Bowl 2026 is in the books, and while the Seahawks took home the trophy, a lot of us were really just waiting for the commercials. You know how it is. The game itself was pretty exciting, with Seattle beating New England at Levi’s Stadium. But let’s be real, those ad breaks are a whole event on their own. Companies drop serious cash for a spot – we’re talking millions for just 30 seconds. It’s wild to think about the cost of a Super Bowl commercial when you’re just trying to enjoy some snacks.
This year, the buzz was all about who would bring the biggest stars and the funniest jokes. We saw a lot of familiar faces and some surprising cameos. Dunkin’ had a big presence, and Budweiser always tries to pull out all the stops with their patriotic themes. T-Mobile and Pepsi also had ads people were talking about. And you can bet there were plenty of AI-themed spots, because that’s just where things are heading.
Some ads really hit the mark, making you laugh or even feel a little something. Others? Well, they just kind of faded into the background. It’s always a gamble, trying to stand out in front of tens of millions of viewers. The best super bowl commercials 2026 managed to be memorable without being annoying.
Here’s a quick look at some of the ads that had everyone talking:
Budweiser: They went with a classic patriotic vibe, uniting a Clydesdale and a bald eagle. It won USA TODAY Ad Meter, which is a big deal.
Dunkin’: Their spot, “Good Will Dunkin’,” was a fan favorite, landing in the top five.
Pepsi: “The Choice” played on brand recognition, even using polar bears in a clever way.
Google: Their “New Home” ad showcased AI capabilities in a heartwarming family scenario.
Levi’s: Their “Backstory” ad was also part of the conversation.
It’s always interesting to see how brands try to connect with such a massive audience. The sheer scale of the event means that even a slightly missed opportunity can feel like a big deal. We’ll break down exactly how these ads performed in the coming sections.
Our Ranking Methodology
So, how did we decide which Super Bowl 2026 commercials made the cut and which ones ended up on the cutting room floor? It wasn’t just about who had the biggest celebrity or the funniest joke, though those things definitely played a part. We looked at a few key things to figure out what really worked.
Criteria for Evaluation
We broke down our evaluation into a few main areas. Think of it like grading a report card for each ad:
Memorability: Did the ad stick with you after the game? Could you recall the brand or the message later on? This is super important, obviously.
Brand Connection: Was it clear who the ad was for? Did it make sense for the brand advertising? Sometimes ads are funny or cool, but you forget who paid for it, which isn’t ideal.
Engagement: Did the ad make you feel something? Laughter, surprise, maybe even a little bit of awe? We looked for ads that pulled you in.
Originality: Did it feel fresh, or like something we’ve seen a million times before? Standing out in a sea of commercials is tough, so unique ideas got extra points.
Overall Impact: Considering all the above, did the ad leave a positive impression and achieve its likely goal? This is where we weigh everything together.
The Top Tier: Unforgettable Commercials
These are the ads that absolutely nailed it. They were creative, memorable, and perfectly tied to the brand. You’ll probably still be talking about these for a while. They often had a strong emotional pull or a really clever concept that just worked.
The Strong Contenders: Memorable and Effective Ads
This group includes commercials that were really good, but maybe didn’t quite reach the heights of the top tier. They were effective, made you remember the brand, and were generally well-executed. Think solid, reliable advertising that did its job well.
The Middle Pack: Solid but Not Spectacular
Here we have the ads that were… fine. They weren’t bad, per se, but they didn’t really wow us either. They might have had a decent idea or a funny moment, but they lacked that special something to make them truly stand out. They were the kind of ads you might forget by the next quarter.
The Underperformers: Missed Opportunities
Unfortunately, not every ad hit the mark. This category is for the commercials that were confusing, forgettable, or just didn’t seem to connect with the audience. Sometimes a big celebrity or a high budget doesn’t guarantee success. These ads often left us scratching our heads, wondering what the point was. For example, some AI-focused ads struggled to clearly explain their purpose, leaving viewers unsure of the product’s value.
Our ranking process aims to be fair and consistent, but we know that advertising is subjective. What one person finds brilliant, another might find just okay. This list reflects our team’s collective opinion based on the criteria we’ve laid out, and it’s always interesting to see how our picks compare to other analyses.
We tried to be as objective as possible, but there’s always a bit of personal taste involved, right? It’s all part of the fun of dissecting the Super Bowl ads each year.
Breakdown by Category
This year’s Super Bowl ads really ran the gamut, didn’t they? We saw a lot of familiar faces and some interesting new approaches. Let’s break down what worked and what didn’t across different types of commercials.
The biggest trend we noticed was the heavy use of celebrity power. It seems like every other ad had a big name attached, from athletes to actors. While this can grab attention, it doesn’t always guarantee a memorable message.
Here’s a quick look at how some categories stacked up:
Automotive: Brands like Volkswagen and Cadillac tried to make a splash. Volkswagen’s “The Great Invitation” aimed for broad appeal, while Cadillac’s Formula 1 spot leaned into the excitement of racing. Some hit the mark, others felt a bit lost in the shuffle.
Food & Beverage: This is always a huge category. Budweiser took home top honors with “American Icons,” a patriotic nod that really connected. Lay’s and Pepsi also landed in the top tier with solid, crowd-pleasing spots. Dunkin’ and Michelob Ultra weren’t far behind, showing that comfort food and active lifestyles still have a strong advertising presence.
Tech & AI: This was a big year for AI-related ads. OpenAI and Anthropic tried to explain their services, but some, like ai.com, left viewers confused about what they actually do. Coinbase, unfortunately, landed at the bottom again, proving that crypto advertising remains a tricky game.
Health & Wellness: Companies like Ro and Hims & Hers were present, with Ro focusing on a fitness journey. Novartis also had a notable spot, uniting NFL tight ends for a good cause.
It’s interesting to see how different industries tackle the Super Bowl stage. Some stick to what they know works, like the classic beer ads, while others try to push boundaries with new technology. The challenge is always to be both attention-grabbing and clear about your product or message.
We also saw a few spots from the NFL itself, like “Champion,” which performed quite well. It’s always a balancing act between entertainment and advertising effectiveness, and this year had plenty of examples of both. For a full list of how ads performed, you can check out the USA TODAY Ad Meter rankings.
Overall Trends and Takeaways from Super Bowl 2026 Ads
Well, that was quite the ad-fest, wasn’t it? This year’s Super Bowl commercials really seemed to double down on a few key themes, and honestly, some of them landed better than others. We saw a big push for AI in a lot of spots, with brands trying to show us how these new technologies can fit into our everyday lives. Google’s “New Home” ad, for example, really hit the mark by showing how their Gemini app could help visualize a family’s future in a new space. It was sweet, relatable, and actually demonstrated the product’s use.
On the flip side, some brands seemed to miss the memo. Coinbase, for instance, ended up at the bottom of the barrel again. Their ad just didn’t clearly explain what they do or why anyone should care, which is a pretty big miss when you’re spending millions on airtime. It’s a tough lesson: just because you have a catchy tune or a celebrity doesn’t mean people will understand your message.
Here’s a quick look at how some of the top performers stacked up:
Budweiser: Took the top spot with a patriotic ad celebrating America’s 250th birthday, featuring a Clydesdale and a bald eagle. Classic Budweiser, really.
Lay’s: Came in second with “Last Harvest,” which seemed to really connect with viewers.
Pepsi: Landed third with “The Choice,” cleverly using a polar bear (a Coke icon) to pick Pepsi in a blind taste test. Smart.
Dunkin’: Grabbed fourth place with “Good Will Dunkin’,” proving that a bit of humor goes a long way.
Michelob Ultra: Rounded out the top five with “The ULTRA Instructor.”
We also saw a noticeable trend towards heartwarming and community-focused messages. Ads that tugged at the heartstrings, like the Rocket commercial featuring Lady Gaga, seemed to get a lot of positive attention. It feels like brands are realizing that connecting emotionally can be just as effective, if not more so, than just trying to be funny or flashy. It’s a good reminder that even in the high-stakes world of Super Bowl advertising, sometimes the simplest messages about kindness and connection are the ones that stick. It makes you wonder what the Grammy Awards might have in store for emotional storytelling next year.
Ultimately, the ads that succeeded this year were the ones that were clear about their message, whether it was showcasing a product’s utility or evoking a strong emotion. Those that were vague or tried too hard to be clever without substance just didn’t cut it. It’s a balancing act, for sure, but the best ads found that sweet spot.
So, What Did We Learn?
Well, that was another Super Bowl, and another round of ads trying to grab our attention. Budweiser really took the cake this year, snagging the top spot with that patriotic ad. It seems like folks enjoyed ads that felt good and made sense, like the ones from Lay’s and Pepsi. On the flip side, some companies, especially in the AI space like Coinbase and ai.com, really missed the mark. They spent a ton of money but left people confused about what they actually do. It just goes to show, you can have all the celebrities and flashy effects you want, but if your message isn’t clear, it’s all for nothing. We’ll have to see what next year brings, but for now, Budweiser is the ad champion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the top-rated Super Bowl 2026 commercial?
Budweiser took the top spot with their ad called “American Icons.” It featured a Clydesdale and a bald eagle, celebrating America’s 250th birthday. This was Budweiser’s 10th time winning this award!
Which companies had ads that didn’t do so well?
Coinbase and ai.com ended up at the bottom of the list. People found their ads confusing and weren’t sure what they were advertising or why they should use their services. Other brands like Svedka and Salesforce also had ads that weren’t as popular.
Were there any popular themes in the 2026 commercials?
Yes, many ads focused on themes of being kind and coming together as a community. Some experts even said these ads were the most heartwarming in over five years.
Did any AI-related ads do well?
Google’s ad for its Gemini AI app, called “New Home,” was a big hit! It showed how the app could help a family imagine their new house. Other AI ads also did well by clearly showing what their products could do.
How much did it cost to run an ad during the Super Bowl?
Running a commercial during the Super Bowl is super expensive! Companies had to pay around $8 to $10 million for just 30 seconds of airtime.
What made a commercial stand out during Super Bowl 2026?
The most successful ads were ones that made people feel something, whether it was happy or emotional, and also clearly explained what the product or service was. Funny ads and those with big stars or cool music also got a lot of attention.
