Old Trapper extends Big Ten sponsorship for 2026 baseball and softball tournaments

By AI, Created 11:21 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Old Trapper will remain the Official Beef Jerky sponsor of the 2026 Big Ten Baseball and Softball Tournaments, bringing fan activations, stadium branding and product giveaways to both events. The partnership underscores the brand’s push for live-event visibility and direct fan engagement.

Why it matters: - Old Trapper’s continued Big Ten partnership keeps the beef jerky brand in front of fans at two high-profile championship events. - The deal centers on in-venue engagement, giving Old Trapper a direct way to sample products, build brand awareness and connect with attendees during the tournaments. - The Big Ten events give sponsors a concentrated audience of sports fans, making the partnership valuable for live marketing and product trial.

What happened: - Old Trapper announced it will continue as the Official Beef Jerky sponsor of the 2026 Big Ten Baseball and Softball Tournaments. - The partnership covers the 2026 Big Ten Softball Tournament presented by Allstate and the Big Ten Baseball Tournament presented by IFS. - The announcement was made from Forest Grove, Oregon, on May 1, 2026.

The details: - At the softball tournament, Old Trapper will have stadium signage and interactive “Lucky Row” giveaways. - Select softball fans will receive complimentary Old Trapper products during games. - Old Trapper will hand out jerky after games as attendees leave the venue on May 7. - At the baseball tournament, Old Trapper will participate in FanFest on May 22 and 23. - FanFest activations will include a trading card photobooth, jerky sampling and swag giveaways. - Inside the ballpark, Old Trapper will use in-venue branding and “Lucky Row” promotions during the baseball tournament. - The promotions will reward fans with jerky throughout the tournament. - Robert Leary, Old Trapper’s chief marketing officer, said the company is proud to continue its longstanding Big Ten partnership and wants to enhance the championship atmosphere.

Between the lines: - The sponsorship strategy leans heavily on experiential marketing instead of traditional advertising. - Old Trapper is using the tournaments to turn product sampling into a live event experience. - The repeated “Lucky Row” format suggests the brand is trying to build a recognizable fan touchpoint across both tournaments. - The partnership also reinforces Old Trapper’s positioning as a sports-friendly snack brand tied to game-day rituals.

What’s next: - Old Trapper will activate at the softball tournament first, including the May 7 post-game distribution. - The brand will then shift to baseball tournament FanFest on May 22 and 23. - Fans should see branding, sampling and giveaway activity continue through the tournament windows. - Old Trapper’s broader product line remains available nationwide, including Old Fashioned, Peppered, Teriyaki and Hot & Spicy flavors.

The bottom line: - Old Trapper is deepening a Big Ten relationship that gives the brand repeated, direct contact with fans at two championship events.