Marketing

Academy Sports + Outdoors partners with Whataburger

Photo: Whataburger

August 19, 2025

Academy Sports + Outdoors and Whataburger have teamed up for a collaboration featuring designs from the two brands, according to a press release.

"Academy Sports + Outdoors is all about helping fans gear up for gameday and having fun while they're at it. This collaboration brings together two fan-favorite brands to deliver a fun collection for the entire family," Matt McCade, Academy Sports + Outdoors EVP and chief merchandising officer, said in the press release. "No matter who you're rooting for, fun can't lose when you're decked out in the new Academy and Whataburger tailgate collection."

The lineup includes exclusive co-branded Hey Dude shoe as well as jerseys, hats, shirts, drinkware, coolers, wagons, tables, chairs, blankets and outdoor games. All of the products feature new designs that take the iconic colors and some of the most recognizable details from both Academy and Whataburger to create a functional – and fun – way to deck out your tailgate. This is the third collaboration for Academy Sports + Outdoors and Whataburger, following asummer collection in 2023 andoutdoor collection in 2021 with Academy's private brand, Magellan Outdoors.

"When you think of Texas, you think of football—so teaming up with Academy for a third campaign just in time for the season made perfect sense," said Whataburger Group Director of CPG & Retail Marketing Rachael Jones. "This collaboration brings a fresh take on tailgating and gives fans a fun way to work both iconic brands into their fall traditions."

Whataburger has more than 1,100 across 17 states.