Orlando Magic Mascot STUFF Has Won Yearly Award
The iconic dragon has secured his third title for Mascot of the Year, matching a record in the league.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Basketball
Live Poll
Do you believe professional sports mascots add significant value to the fan experience in your area?
Orlando Magic mascot STUFF has officially won the 2026 Mascot of the Year award. This victory marks the third time the mascot has received this honor, following previous wins in 2016 and 2017.
Why it matters
The award recognizes exceptional performance and fan engagement, cementing STUFF as one of the most decorated mascots in professional basketball history. His continued success highlights the longevity and cultural impact of the Orlando franchise mascot.
STUFF has now earned three Mascot of the Year awards throughout his career. This latest achievement ties him with league peers Clutch and Jazz Bear for the most total wins in this category.
The players
STUFF
STUFF is the long-running official mascot of the Orlando Magic basketball team.
Clutch
Clutch is the official bear mascot of the Houston Rockets.
Jazz Bear
Jazz Bear is the official mascot for the Utah Jazz.
The details
STUFF the magic dragon has been a staple for the Orlando Magic since he debuted on Church Street in downtown Orlando on Feb. 21, 1989. Beyond his award-winning tenure, the character famously appeared three times during the 2016 dunk contest.
Timeline
Feb. 21, 1989: STUFF made his public debut on Church Street.
2016: STUFF won his first mascot award and appeared in the dunk contest.
2017: STUFF secured his second Mascot of the Year title.
2026: STUFF received his third Mascot of the Year award.
Season Trajectory
This award marks a significant milestone in league history, as STUFF moves into a tie for the most all-time mascot honors. This level of recognition highlights the elite tier of fan engagement and performance required to stay relevant in a competitive league landscape.
The recognition of STUFF as the top mascot in the league reinforces the franchise's commitment to high-level game-day entertainment for local fans. This consistency in performance serves to enhance the overall atmosphere of home games at the arena throughout the season.
The takeaway
Maintaining top-tier entertainment standards requires decades of dedication and creative evolution. Fans can look forward to seeing the award-winning performance continue to anchor the game-day experience.
Further reading
For more news on local hoops history and team updates, visit the Basketball section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WESH.
Live Poll
Do you believe professional sports mascots add significant value to the fan experience in your area?
