Starting with next week’s Super Bowl, fans are going to notice a new patch on some of the biggest stages in sports - a tribute to America’s 250th birthday. It’s part of a sweeping, multi-league initiative announced in a joint release from the White House, Fanatics, the America250 committee, and several of the major North American sports leagues.
The celebration kicks off in a big way on February 8, when the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks take the field in the Super Bowl. Both teams will wear a commemorative blue patch featuring “USA” in bold white letters with red trim, stitched above the number “250” and a backdrop of vertical red and white stripes. It’s a design that nods to the flag while marking a milestone moment in American history - and it’ll be front and center on the game’s biggest stage.
But the Super Bowl is just the beginning.
This commemorative patch will make its way across the sports calendar in 2024. NBA teams that reach the Finals will sport the patch on their jerseys, while the NHL has yet to finalize how it will integrate the patch into the Stanley Cup Final.
Major League Baseball is going all in: every team will wear the patch on July 4, and it’ll also be featured during the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby. Minor league clubs playing on Independence Day will join in as well.
Combat sports are getting in on the action too. WWE wrestlers will wear the patch at WrestleMania, and UFC fighters will represent it during a special June event staged on the White House lawn. Select Zuffa boxing matches will also feature the branding, bringing the celebration into the ring.
In Major League Soccer, the patch will be visible during Opening Weekend matches. NASCAR is participating as well, though details on how the patch or logo will be incorporated into the drivers’ suits or cars haven’t been released yet.
Fanatics - which holds sponsorship deals across all the participating leagues - is playing a major role in the rollout. The sports merchandise giant will produce hats and apparel featuring the USA 250 branding, giving fans a chance to wear a piece of the celebration themselves.
The announcement was originally set to be unveiled at a White House event featuring President Donald J. Trump and league commissioners, but that gathering was postponed due to a severe winter storm that hit Washington, D.C. over the weekend.
Michael Rubin, CEO of Fanatics, emphasized the cultural significance of the moment in the release: “Sports have always played an important role in America’s rich history, uniting communities and shaping culture. We’re honored to help bring commemorative USA 250 patches and fan apparel to life across many of the biggest sports moments this year.”
Statements from league commissioners, including NFL’s Roger Goodell - who is currently overseeing Pro Bowl festivities and the lead-up to Super Bowl week - were also included in the announcement.
Notably absent from the list of participating leagues are the PGA Tour, the WNBA, and the NWSL. While Fanatics has a partnership with the PGA, it does not currently have deals in place with the WNBA or NWSL, which may explain their exclusion from this particular initiative.
The America250 committee, a nonprofit established by Congress, is leading the charge in organizing the nationwide commemoration of the country’s founding in 1776. And with sports being such a central part of American culture, it’s no surprise that this milestone is being marked on fields, courts, rings, and racetracks across the country.
From the Super Bowl to the Fourth of July, fans can expect to see the USA 250 patch pop up in some of the most iconic moments of the year - a unifying symbol during a time when the country is reflecting on its past and looking toward its future.