The New York Jets and Parmigiano Reggiano, a globally recognized icon of Italian food and culture, have kicked off a multi-year strategic partnership for the 2025 NFL season, marking the Italian cheese consortium's first-ever sponsorship with a U.S. professional sports team. Fans can expect authentic culinary integrations throughout MetLife Stadium in addition to a dedicated marketing plan.
The landmark sponsorship is Parmigiano Reggiano's first with a professional sports team in the United States, marking a pivotal step in the brand's expansion into the US market. With the partnership, the iconic PDO cheese producer hopes to grow brand recognition overseas and meaningfully connect with American consumers. To integrate Parmigiano Reggiano into the Jets' gameday experience, the two brands have revealed new activations at MetLife Stadium, ranging from concessions to features on the stadium's videoboard during home games.
"The Jets are excited to partner with Parmigiano Reggiano, a globally recognized and respected brand," said Jeff Fernandez, Jets Senior Vice President, Business Development + Ventures. "This partnership continues the Jets' long-term commitment to providing fans with the world-class international cuisine they are accustomed to during home games at MetLife Stadium and throughout New York City. We look forward to collaborating with Parmigiano Reggiano this season to elevate fans' experiences in new and flavorful ways."
Inside MetLife Stadium, Parmigiano Reggiano-forward dishes will be served at various food destinations including the Commissioner's Club, Green Room, and Coaches Club, where the Jets will offer antipasto stations featuring Parmigiano Reggiano and tossed pasta stations using Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheels. Menu options available in the stadium's top club that highlight Parmigiano Reggiano will evolve throughout the course of the season, ushering in new offerings with each game. Parmigiano Reggiano cheese will also be available as an add-on at designated Nonna Fusco's stands throughout MetLife Stadium.
In addition, the partnership will include season-long videoboard segments like the "Say Cheese Cam" and "Cheesy Dance Cam". Fans will also have the opportunity to win special prizes including personalized Parmigiano Reggiano wheels.
Cheese sampling activations will take place in the Tailgate Zone on October 19 and November 30. The partnership also includes a focused marketing plan designed to expand Parmigiano Reggiano's footprint in the American market, spanning influencer engagement and both out-of-home and digital advertising in the New York area.
"Parmigiano Reggiano has always championed athletes and sport, and we are delighted to take to the field alongside an American football legend like the New York Jets, who share our core values of excellence and commitment to greatness," states Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium President Nicola Bertinelli.
The US serves as Parmigiano Reggiano's main foreign market, with a share of 22.5% and over 16,000 tons exported in 2024, numbers that reflect an ever-growing demand from careful consumers who choose quality and tradition. An expansion of the cheese's footprint stateside is natural, explains Bertinelli. "The Jets are one of the strongest symbols of New York, a city that represents the beating heart of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO in the USA. With this sponsorship, we want to strengthen our bond with American culture through the tradition of football, a true collective ritual that unites generations, families, and communities. American football is entertainment, conviviality, sociability, and sharing, in which food is the social glue par excellence. Being alongside the New York Jets means creating a relationship with consumers and sharing with them what makes Parmigiano Reggiano unique."
