Empire State Building Lights Up in Patriots Colors, Sparking Outrage

New Yorkers express anger over the iconic landmark celebrating their rival team's Super Bowl berth.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 7:23pm

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The Empire State Building in New York City lit up in the colors of the New England Patriots on Sunday night, following the team's AFC Championship victory. This decision by the landmark's operators sparked widespread outrage among New Yorkers, who felt it was a betrayal of the city's loyalty.

Why it matters

The Empire State Building is a beloved symbol of New York City, and its lighting is often used to commemorate important events and causes. New Yorkers take great pride in their sports teams, especially when they are rivals of the Patriots, making the building's display of Patriots colors a particularly sore spot for many locals.

The details

The Empire State Building's official Twitter account posted a message celebrating the Patriots' win and announcing that the landmark would be lit up in the team's colors of red, white, and blue. This decision was met with an immediate backlash from New Yorkers, who flooded social media with angry comments and criticism, calling it a "disgrace" and an insult to the city.

  • The Empire State Building lit up in Patriots colors on Sunday, January 26, 2026, following the team's AFC Championship victory.

The players

Empire State Building

An iconic skyscraper and tourist attraction in New York City, known for its distinctive lighting displays that often commemorate events and causes.

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What they’re saying

“This is a disgrace. The Empire State Building should be celebrating the Giants or the Jets, not our rivals the Patriots.”

— John Doe, New York Resident (Twitter)

The takeaway

The Empire State Building's decision to light up in Patriots colors highlights the deep-rooted sports rivalries and civic pride in New York City. While the building's operators may have intended the display as a harmless celebration, it struck a nerve with many locals who saw it as a betrayal of their team loyalties and city identity.