For Many Years, Budweiser Commercials Have Been A Mainstay On Super Bowl Sunday
Budweiser has long been synonymous with Super Bowl commercials, creating some of the most memorable ads in the event’s history. Since the 1970s, the brand has used the Super Bowl as a prime stage to showcase its iconic advertising, often blending humor, emotion, and Americana themes. The company’s early ads focused on traditional beer marketing—highlighting quality, refreshment, and social enjoyment. However, as Super Bowl advertising became more competitive and creative, Budweiser evolved its approach, producing commercials that became cultural touchstones.
One of the most famous Budweiser Super Bowl campaigns began in 1986 with the introduction of the Bud Bowl, a series of stop-motion animated ads featuring anthropomorphic Budweiser and Bud Light bottles playing football. The campaign, which ran until 1997, was a fan favorite, adding an entertaining and interactive element to the Super Bowl experience. In the late 1990s, Budweiser struck gold again with the “Whassup?” campaign, which debuted in 1999 and became a pop culture phenomenon, with friends shouting the catchphrase nationwide.
Perhaps the most enduring symbols of Budweiser’s Super Bowl legacy are the Clydesdale horses. First appearing in a Super Bowl commercial in 1986, the majestic draft horses have been featured in numerous heartwarming and patriotic ads over the years.
Memorable examples include the 2002 post-9/11 tribute, where the Clydesdales bowed in front of the New York City skyline, and the 2013 “Brotherhood” commercial, which told the touching story of a man raising a Clydesdale foal. More recently, Budweiser has balanced tradition with modernity, incorporating themes of resilience, unity, and social responsibility into its Super Bowl ads, ensuring its place as a staple of the big game’s advertising lineup.
Let’s take a look at all the Clydesdale Super Bowl commercials in the last 25 years.
2002 – Super Bowl XXXVI
Five months after the 9/11 tragedy, Budweiser paid tribute to the victims in an ad that only ever aired one time. It’s a moving tribute that will bring a tear to your eye.
2003 – Super Bowl XXXVII
This comical commercial shows two teams of Clydesdales playing football and having a play under review by the ref, a zebra.
2004 – Super Bowl XXXVIII
A donkey dreams of becoming a Budweiser Clydesdale, going to lengths to blend in, even putting on puffy hooves!
2006 – Super Bowl XL
A Clydesdale foal takes center stage in 2006’s heartwarming commercial. They are dreaming of when their time comes to be saddled up as a full grown Clydesdale pulling the iconic red Budweiser wagon.
2008 – Super Bowl XLII
The commercial titled “Training” showed a Dalmatian training a Clydesdale who didn’t get chosen to pull the Budweiser wagon. The montage, set to the Rocky theme song, showed the Clydesdale running drills in the snow and grass so they’re ready for any terrain!
2009 – Super Bowl XLIII
In the 2009 ad, a Clydesdale falls in love with a circus horse.
Another commercial showed a Dalmatian fetching a stick and getting a treat. A Clydesdale sees this and decides to do the same, but brought back something resembling more of a tree trunk than a tree branch.
2010 – Super Bowl XLIV
In this sweet ad, a bull and a Clydesdale befriend each other and their friendship is shown throughout the years.
2011 – Super Bowl XLV
In honor of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Budweiser’s 2011 Super Bowl ad paid tribute to everyone we lost that tragic day. They remastered the 2002 tribute and aired it in honor of the 10th anniversary.
2012 – Super Bowl XLVI
The 2012 commercial centered around the end of prohibition and the first Budweiser delivery after.
2013 – Super Bowl XLVII
The “Brotherhood” commercial show a foal shortly after birth and his relationship with the man who helped raise him.
2014 – Super Bowl XLVIII
“Puppy Love” showed a yellow Labrador puppy bonding with a Clydesdale. The puppy was eventually adopted by a man, but the Clydesdale was so attached to the pup, they he enlisted in the help of his friends to stop the adoption!
2015 – Super Bowl XLIX
2015’s “Lost Dog” commercial shows the bond between a Clydesdale and his pup, which was the focus of the previous year’s ad. Their heartwarming reunion warmed hearts everywhere.
![Lost Dog - Budweiser [Super Bowl Commercial 2015]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Tu10xwlwWEk/hqdefault.jpg)
2016 – Super Bowl 50
The epic 50th Super Bowl would not be without an epic Budweiser commercial. And they delivered.
2019 – Super Bowl LIII
An adorable Dalmatian starred in the 2019 commercial. Sitting on top of the red wagon being pulled by Clydesdales, the Dalmatian was enjoying the fresh air!
2020 – Super Bowl LIV
The ad, titled “Typical American,” shows many different Americans as first responders, sports champions, and more. Even though this ad doesn’t have any Clydesdales, we decided to include it in this list because it’s too good not to!
2021 – Super Bowl LV
In 2021, Anheuser-Busch decided to do an all-in-one commercial for many of their brands including Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, Bud Light Seltzer, Michelob Ultra, Cutwater Spirits, and more. The company instead donated their Super Bowl budget for each brand to public service announcements for the COVID-19 vaccine.This ad also didn’t include Clydesdales, but it had a good message, especially during everything the country was going through at this time.
2022 – Super Bowl LVI
The 2022 ad shows a majestic Clydesdale getting hurt while running in a field. The commercial shows it being nursed back to health and making a triumphant return to the job!
2023 – Super Bowl LVII
The Clydesdales only appeared in this commercial for a split second, but it still counts!
2024 – Super Bowl LVIII
On a snowy day, a Budweiser delivery driver finds out all roads are closed to vehicles, but the Clydesdales show up, inspiring him to deliver “the old school way.” A yellow lab also made an appearance in the ad titled “Old School Delivery.”
2025 – Super Bowl LIX
The commercial for Super Bowl LIX is titled “First Delivery” and features a Clydesdale foal for the first time in a decade. The heartwarming ad shows the same delivery driver as 2024’s ad!
