Budweiser Wins USA TODAY’s 38th Annual Ad Meter Competition

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New York, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 9, 2026--

USA TODAY, part of USA TODAY Co., Inc. (NYSE: TDAY), announced Budweiser, an Anheuser-Busch brand, as the winner of the 38 thUSA TODAY Ad Meter competition.

Budweiser’s “American Icons” Super Bowl commercial delivers one of the game’s most stirring emotional moments, pairing its legendary Clydesdales with a soaring American bald eagle in a visually powerful celebration of American spirit. Set to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s iconic song “Free Bird,” the spot taps into Budweiser’s longstanding tradition of cinematic storytelling.

Recognized across the marketing and advertising industry, USA TODAY Ad Meter provides a trusted measure of public sentiment tied to the commercials that define the Super Bowl. Approximately 190,000 registered USA TODAY Ad Meter panelists rated commercials from February 4 to February 9 (ending at 12 midnight EST). Participating panelists were required to rank every eligible Super Bowl ad that aired during the game, from kickoff through the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter. Each commercial was rated on a five-point scale, with one representing the lowest and five the highest. The ad earning the highest average score takes home the title.

The top five 2026 USA TODAY Ad Meter commercials are as follows:

1. Budweiser: “American Icons” – Score: 4.00
2. Lay's: “Last Harvest” – Score: 3.80
3. Pepsi: “The Choice” – Score: 3.50
4. Dunkin': “Good Will Dunkin'” – Score: 3.48
5. Michelob ULTRA: “The ULTRA Instructor" – Score: 3.47

“Congratulations to Budweiser on another USA TODAY Ad Meter win as the brand celebrates 150 years. USA TODAY Ad Meter sets the standard for measuring audience response to Super Bowl advertising, engaging a passionate national audience of sports and pop culture fans,” said Monica Richardson, Senior Vice President of USA TODAY. “Building on Ad Meter’s industry leading impact, the second annual USA TODAY Movie Meter will launch on March 4, giving film fans a voice in selecting their ‘Film of the Year’ from the Oscar nominations. This expansion reinforces USA TODAY’s commitment to innovation and delivering engaging content that resonates for our audiences.”

For more details about the 38th USA TODAY Ad Meter results, previous winners, and more, visit https://admeter.usatoday.com/.

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USA TODAY Co., Inc. is a diversified media company with expansive reach at the national and local level dedicated to empowering and enriching communities. We seek to inspire, inform, and connect audiences as a sustainable, growth focused media and digital marketing solutions company. Through our trusted brands, including the USA TODAY NETWORK, comprised of the national publication, USA TODAY, and local media organizations, including our network of local properties, in the United States, and Newsquest, a wholly-owned subsidiary operating in the United Kingdom, we provide essential journalism, local content, and digital experiences to audiences and businesses. We deliver high-quality, trusted content with a commitment to balanced, unbiased journalism, where and when consumers want to engage. Our digital marketing solutions brand, LocaliQ, supports small and medium-sized businesses with innovative digital marketing products and solutions.

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SOURCE: USA TODAY

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PUB: 02/09/2026 09:30 AM/DISC: 02/09/2026 09:31 AM

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