Pepsi Launches Holiday Campaign, Walmart Bundle
Pepsi is rolling out a holiday TV spot, a limited-edition bundle and custom NFL-themed creative ahead of the season.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Would you buy soda with pizza during the holidays or football games?
Pepsi released a 15-second spot titled "Holidays Deserve Pepsi" that revises the milk-and-cookies-for-Santa tradition to include Pepsi and pizza. The company also released custom creative with Walmart featuring NFL icon Jerome Bettis and will sell a limited-edition Pepsi Vanilla & Cream Holiday Bundle starting Nov. 19.
Why it matters
The campaign builds on Pepsi's "Food Deserves Pepsi" platform launched in 2024, which positions soft drinks as an essential pairing with food. It also comes as KFC U.S. announced it will replace Pepsi beverages with Coca-Cola across its restaurant system by spring 2027.
Pepsi projects 80% more retail visibility than a year ago through the holiday season, and PepsiCo's net revenue increased 5.6% in Q3. The source does not disclose the campaign's cost or early sales performance of the Holiday Bundle.
The players
Pepsi
Pepsi is the soft drink brand of PepsiCo, which has been the official soft drink of the NFL for nearly three decades.
Walmart
Walmart is a major U.S. retailer that is hosting the Pepsi Holiday Bundle and custom creative on its website and social channels.
Jerome Bettis
Jerome Bettis is a former NFL running back and Pittsburgh Steelers icon featured in Pepsi's custom holiday creative with Walmart.
KFC U.S.
KFC U.S. is the American arm of the fried chicken chain that will replace Pepsi beverages with Coca-Cola across its restaurant system by spring 2027.
The details
Pepsi's holiday spot will run across broadcast and streaming TV, social media, audio and out-of-home placements, including during NBC's holiday tree lighting programming and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day college football and NBA and NFL games. The company is also extending its Yes, Chefs Tailgates program with live fan experiences at college campuses.
Timeline
Oct. 18: Pepsi Vanilla & Cream launched.
Nov. 4: Custom Bettis creative launched on Walmart's website and social channels.
Nov. 19: Limited-edition Holiday Bundle becomes available on Walmart's website.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Pepsi spot airs during college football and NBA and NFL games.
Spring 2027: KFC U.S. completes its switch from Pepsi to Coca-Cola.
Market Landscape
The campaign extends Pepsi's "Food Deserves Pepsi" platform launched in 2024, which pairs soft drinks with meals. The KFC U.S. switch to Coca-Cola by spring 2027 shows the competitive contest for restaurant beverage contracts continuing.
Shoppers who want the limited-edition Pepsi Vanilla & Cream Holiday Bundle can buy it on Walmart's website starting Nov. 19. Fans planning to watch holiday football can expect to see the Pepsi spot during the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day broadcasts.
The takeaway
Pairing beverages with meals is a long-running marketing strategy, and this campaign shows how brands tie it to holiday traditions and sports broadcasts. Readers planning holiday purchases or viewing can check Walmart's site for the bundle's Nov. 19 availability.
What happens next
Pepsi's holiday spot is scheduled to air during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day college football and NBA and NFL games, and the Holiday Bundle becomes available Nov. 19.
Further reading
Explore more Football coverage for the NFL and college sponsorship context behind this campaign.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Marketing Dive.
Live Poll
Would you buy soda with pizza during the holidays or football games?
