Classico Blends Two Sunday Traditions in One Jar with New Sunday Football Sauce

Just in time for the 2026 NFL Kickoff, Classico's limited-edition pasta sauce turns gameday meals into a delicious tradition for families nationwide

• As an Official Pasta Sauce Sponsor of the NFL, Classico introduces Sunday Football Sauce, a new limited-edition pasta sauce created to bring together two cherished Sunday rituals: gathering for football and sharing a comforting pasta dinner with family and friends.
• Classico Sunday Football Sauce is made with savory beef and pork, slow-simmered in a rich tomato sauce, delivering a homemade taste without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Classico Sunday Football Sauce will be available exclusively on Walmart.com beginning September 8, while supplies last.

CHICAGO & PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sundays have always been about coming together, and for generations, “Sunday sauce” has been the heart of that ritual: a pot of pasta sauce slow-simmering all day, drawing loved ones to the table for an evening meal. And from September through February, football brings a Sunday ritual all on its own: jerseys and rivalries, friends and family filling living rooms, everyone gathering for the game to cheer on their favorite teams. That’s why this season, Classico—an Official Pasta Sauce Sponsor of the NFL—is bringing both traditions together with the launch of Classico Sunday Football Sauce, a new limited-edition pasta sauce debuting nationwide.

SLOW SIMMERED FLAVOR, READY FOR KICK OFF

With more than half of Americans enjoying pasta sauce at least once a week,¹ Classico is giving fans an even bigger reason to make pasta part of the Sunday playbook all season long. Made with savory beef and pork slow simmered in a rich tomato sauce, Classico Sunday Football Sauce delivers the rich, slow-cooked flavor of a Bolognese-style sauce without hours spent stirring at the stovetop—so fans can keep the focus where it belongs: on the game and the people they’re watching it with.

Debuting just in time for the first NFL Sunday game, Classico Sunday Football Sauce builds on more than 40 years of premium pasta sauces made with quality ingredients and distinct recipes, to give fans a delicious new way to gather every Sunday throughout football season.

TWO SUNDAY RITUALS, ONE JAR

Football is more than America's most popular sport - it has become a weekly tradition that brings people together. Nearly half of all football fans prefer to watch at a friend or family member's home,² turning Sundays into something bigger than what's on TV. With Classico Sunday Football Sauce, the brand is helping keep both rituals alive—bringing the comfort of “Sunday sauce” to football Sunday, so fans don’t have to choose between game time and dinner time.

"Sunday sauce has long been a symbol of family and connection, and football has become synonymous with coming together to cheer for your favorite team,” said Sarah Manley, Brand Manager for Classico. “With our new Sunday Football Sauce, we’re bringing those two traditions together in a way that feels both instantly familiar and genuinely new—giving loyal fans and home cooks alike a meaningful reason to gather around the table.”

As part of Kraft Heinz’s larger partnership with the NFL, Classico Sunday Football Sauce brings the company’s commitment to creating unforgettable, delicious gameday moments to life. The new sauce will be available starting September 8, ahead of the 2026 NFL Kickoff, exclusively on Walmart.com while supplies last. To learn more about Classico, visit kraftheinz.com/classico and follow Classico on Instagram.

ABOUT THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY

Kraft Heinz (Nasdaq: KHC) is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, with approximately $25 billion in net sales in 2025 and a portfolio of iconic brands enjoyed by consumers in more than 40 countries. By investing in our capabilities and brands, including Heinz, Kraft, Philadelphia, Primal Kitchen, and Lunchables, we are unlocking the full power of our portfolio. We deliver high-quality, great-tasting, and affordable food for the consumers of today, while shaping the future of food. Learn more at www.kraftheinzcompany.com.

^1Kraft Heinz Taste Elevation Demand Landscape, 2025

^2Comcast Advertising, Behind the Remote: A Deep Dive into Sports Viewership & Fandom, 2024.