Lowe’s, Outback Steakhouse, Visa and Taco Bell Honored Among Newsweek’s Most Loved Brands by Football Fans 2026

New ranking recognizes 350 brands that have built strong connections with American football fans

NEW YORK, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Newsweek, in partnership with Plant-A Insights Group, has announced Newsweek’s Most Loved Brands by Football Fans 2026, recognizing 350 brands that have earned the loyalty and affection of football fans across the United States. Lowe’s, Outback Steakhouse, Visa, Taco Bell, Walgreens, Lipton, LG and Gorilla Glue are among the brands earning the highest 5-star distinction.

Football has become a major part of American culture, bringing families and friends together around shared traditions. The brands recognized in this year’s ranking have successfully become part of those experiences, whether through sponsorships and campaigns or through products and services that shape how fans gather, eat, shop and watch the game.

The findings show that many of the brands most loved by football fans are those that contribute to the shared game-day experience. Products and services that make it easier to host gatherings, prepare food, order meals and spend time with friends and family performed particularly well. Among fast-food chains, for example, 21 of 24 brands evaluated earned either a 5-star or 4.5-star rating, underscoring the role that convenience, accessibility and value play in the football fan experience.

“Football is a tradition woven with family and friends. The brands that truly matter to these fans become part of that same fabric,” said Ryan Kinney, Senior Vice President at Newsweek. “Newsweek's Most Loved Brands by Football Fans 2026 honors the organizations that have earned their place in fans' lives and the brands that fans choose to stand by.”

Newsweek’s Most Loved Brands by American Football Fans 2026 evaluated more than 2,000 brands through a nationwide survey of more than 16,000 American football fans between September and October 2025, along with desk research and media monitoring. Respondents evaluated brands they had personally used or were familiar with based on their likelihood of recommending the brand and their level of affection across three dimensions of brand love. MediaRadar provided advertising intelligence to identify brands for evaluation, while Critical Mention screened brands for legal, ethical and reputational issues. Using a proprietary scoring model, the 350 highest-scoring brands were recognized as Newsweek’s Most Loved Brands by American Football Fans 2026.

The complete ranking is available at https://rankings.newsweek.com/newsweeks-most-loved-brands-by-football-fans-2026

About Newsweek:
Newsweek is the global digital news organization built around the iconic 94-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people monthly with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in 50 countries.

Contact:
Sarah PoVey
Broadsheet Communications for Newsweek
sarah@broadsheetcomms.com