Michelob ULTRA expands NHL footprint with league-wide US partnership

Michelob ULTRA has become the official beer partner across the NHL in the United States, expanding its league-wide sponsorship presence. The deal increases the brand's visibility at NHL events and arenas, strengthening its marketing reach and connection with hockey fans nationwide.

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Home Sports Business Sponsorship Michelob ULTRA expands NHL footprint with league-wide US partnership The agreement gives the brand rights across several of the NHL’s biggest properties, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Stanley Cup Final, NHL Winter Classic, NHL All-Star and NHL Stadium Series. By Aashay Khandelwal September 25, 2026 WhatsApp Linkedin Facebook X Telegram Michelob ULTRA expands NHL footprint with league-wide US partnership Michelob ULTRA has expanded its presence in professional hockey through a new multiyear partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL), becoming an official beer sponsor of the league in the United States. The agreement gives the Anheuser-Busch -owned brand rights across several of the NHL’s biggest properties, including the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Stanley Cup Final, NHL Winter Classic, NHL All-Star and NHL Stadium Series. The league-wide partnership builds on an established club-level footprint, with Michelob ULTRA already holding partnerships with 18 NHL teams. Its existing portfolio includes the Carolina Hurricanes , Boston Bruins , Chicago Blackhawks , Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers . The expanded relationship will also introduce new consumer-facing activations. Michelob ULTRA and select team partners will launch limited-edition packaging featuring NHL team logos during the upcoming season, while the brand will bring its “Superior Access” platform into hockey through Michelob ULTRA Rinkside. The initiative will offer fans aged 21 and over access to tickets, merchandise and other exclusive experiences linked to NHL events. It follows similar Michelob ULTRA platforms in other sports, including Courtside in basketball, Pitchside in soccer and Greenside in golf. Kyle Norrington, Chief Commercial Officer, Anheuser-Busch, said, “The NHL remains one of the country’s fastest-growing leagues, making it a perfect partner for America’s #1 and fastest-growing beer: Michelob ULTRA. We’re honoured to add the NHL to Anheuser-Busch’s iconic portfolio of sports partnerships, bringing hockey fans across America closer to the League’s superior moments on and off the ice for years to come.” Keith Wachtel, President, NHL Business, added, “The NHL is focused on partnering with best-in-class organisations that share our commitment to long-term growth and fan engagement. Anheuser-Busch and Michelob ULTRA have consistently demonstrated the ability to build impactful sports marketing programs at scale, and we are excited to work together to unlock new opportunities across the League, our Clubs and our marquee events.” The NHL partnership strengthens Michelob ULTRA’s broader sports portfolio, which includes properties across FIFA , Olympics Games , and the National Basketball Association . For the NHL, the agreement adds a national beer partner with an existing network of team relationships, creating opportunities to activate the brand across the league’s marquee events and local markets. Tags Anheuser-Busch Anheuser-Busch InBev Michelob ULTRA National Hockey League National Hockey League (NHL) NHL NHL All-Star NHL Stadium Series NHL Winter Classic Sponsorship Stanley Cup Related Articles DAZN broadens DTC strategy with NHL, NBA and basketball rights agreements DoorDash brings game-night commerce strategy to NHL in multiyear deal Rogers keeps its name on Edmonton’s NHL home through 2036 Amazon’s Prime Video accelerates NHL’s shift from RSNs to streaming Sportradar builds prediction-market infrastructure with expanded Polymarket deal DAZN expands direct-to-consumer strategy with major US regional sports and global combat sports partnerships Load more Latest Articles Cricket JioStar kickstarts festive cricket season with 15 brands across 8 categories Other Sports Liverpool Basketball steps into new era with adidas partnership Football Newcastle United and Coca-Cola build new matchday experience partnership Sponsorship NBL takes commercial strategy beyond sponsorship with Red Bull, Heinz and iCoach Sports News Pune secures historic 2032 UCI Road World Championships hosting rights Load more

Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: sportsmintmedia.com

Companies Mentioned

Michelob ULTRA, NHL, NHL Winter Classic, NHL Stadium Series

Michelob ULTRA: Michelob ULTRA is a beer brand that has expanded its NHL footprint via a new league-wide U.S. partnership granting the brand rights across several NHL properties.

NHL: National Hockey League is the sport league whose properties (Stanley Cup Playoffs, Stanley Cup Final, NHL Winter Classic, NHL All-Star and NHL Stadium Series) are covered by the new league-wide U.S. partnership with Michelob ULTRA.

NHL Winter Classic: The NHL Winter Classic is an annual regular-season outdoor game event and is listed as one of the NHL properties covered by Michelob ULTRA's partnership.

NHL Stadium Series: The NHL Stadium Series is a set of outdoor regular-season NHL games and is included among the NHL properties for which Michelob ULTRA obtained partnership rights.

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