PepsiCo Scores New Official Soft Drink Title with United Center, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks
PepsiCo Partnership Will Fuel All-New Fan Experiences, Helping United Center Guests Enjoy Concerts and Sporting Events Like Never Before
Today the United Center, Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks announce a new multi-year partnership with PepsiCo, a global leader in the food and beverage industry. As the official soft drink provider, PepsiCo will deliver a variety of thirst-quenching beverages – including some of its most popular products, like Pepsi Zero Sugar, and its new lemon lime flavored soda STARRY – to passionate fans at all concessions and beverage stands throughout the arena, as well as the newly designed Pepsi Grab & Go store in the United Center Atrium.
Beyond these new beverage offerings, Pepsi and STARRY will go the extra mile and offer one-of-a-kind experiences to United Center guests all year long — starting with Bulls Fest August 19 – 20 where fans can have a chance to win beverages, game tickets, pre-game access and exclusive appearances. Later this year, shoppers at local retail stores can enter for a chance to win access to concert tickets, game tickets and gear from their favorite teams. To help fans enjoy more moments of unapologetic enjoyment at the United Center, Pepsi will create unique VIP experiences and activations that span across sports, music and entertainment for select fans to have opportunities of a lifetime.
"Chicagoans live and breathe sports, entertainment, and creativity. Our athletes, artists, and fans are some of the most passionate in the world and the United Center hosts the city’s most unforgettable moments," said Kalen Thornton, VP of Sports, Gaming and Entertainment, PBNA. “Our company’s longstanding presence here in Chicago goes back more than 100 years, where we’ve fueled iconic athletes in the game and celebrated fandom off the court. The expanded partnership with the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks is the ultimate opportunity for us to continue giving back to our neighbors and support our culture. We can’t wait to lift up Chicago fans, its teams and players, and our city’s vibrant community with epic experiences brought to you by iconic brands like Pepsi, our new lemon lime flavored soda STARRY, fan favorite MTN DEW and more.”
Recognizing social injustice in Chicago, PepsiCo will partner with both the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks to advance racial equality with local community organizations. This includes PepsiCo stepping up as thePresenting Sponsor of the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation’s new Job Exposure Pilot Program, which aims to increase awareness of career fields and job opportunities among young people through a partnership with West Side after school and school organizations. PepsiCo will also provide funding and development resources to minority-led nonprofits, advancing Chicago Bulls’ existing partnership with AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits, which strengthens the organizational health and supports long-term development of Black and Latine-led nonprofits on Chicago’s West and South sides.
"Together with the Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks, the United Center is committed to elevating the fan experience by partnering with brands who lead with innovation and offer best-in-class products," said Joe Myhra, Senior Vice President, United Center. "We are thrilled to collaborate with PepsiCo in the coming years as we work to create iconic experiences for fans at the arena in addition to expanding our collective impact in our surrounding community."
Fans are invited to celebrate this legendary new partnership on July 20 at Chicago’s Union Station’s Great Hall with Pepsi, STARRY, the United Center, the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks. Join the party between 3:00 – 7:00PM CT tosample Pepsi Zero Sugar and STARRY, test your basketball and hockey skills with games like the pop-a-shot and shoot the puck, have the chance to win prizes including Chicago Bulls and Chicago Blackhawks tickets, and have your photo taken with Benny the Bull and Tommy Hawk while other Bulls and Blackhawks personalities cheer you on!
