Pepsi Kicks Off Soccer-Focused Campaign with Star-Studded Lineup
Ahead of the UEFA Champions League final on May 30, Pepsi is launching its "Soccer Deserves Pepsi" campaign, positioning the brand around match day rituals and food pairings that resonate with soccer fans.
The campaign features two new spots starring David Beckham and Memo Ochoa, with former American soccer player Kyle Martino voicing the English-language commercial. Additional social and retail content from Christian Pulisic and Vini Jr. will roll out throughout the summer.
What Fans Will See
The creative centers on the familiar match day setup: wings on the table, drinks flowing, friends gathered around the TV. Beckham's take on the brand is straightforward: "It just tastes better."
Pepsi is backing the campaign with several consumer-facing initiatives:
- Limited-edition packaging across Pepsi Zero Sugar, Pepsi, and Diet Pepsi
- Exclusive DoorDash match day offers
- Sweepstakes featuring grand prizes including a grill, custom cooler, projector, and patio set
- New social content and fan activations throughout the season
The Pepsi Challenge Element
Memo Ochoa participated in the Pepsi Challenge, selecting Pepsi Zero Sugar as his preferred zero-sugar cola option in a taste test.
Why It Matters
The campaign represents a strategic push by PepsiCo to anchor its beverage portfolio to sports entertainment and occasion-based consumption. As major soccer events draw global audiences, tying product consumption to established fan rituals—particularly food and beverage pairings—is a proven lever for incremental volume. For QSRs and retailers, the limited-edition packaging and exclusive delivery partnerships signal coordinated support across multiple channels.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors