Empire State Building Sparks Outrage After Displaying Patriots Colors Following Super Bowl Berth

The Empire State Building — one of New York City’s most iconic and emotionally charged landmarks — became the center of intense backlash on Sunday night after displaying the colors of the New England Patriots, igniting widespread outrage among New York sports fans.

For many residents, the sight of the building glowing in red, blue, and white was jarring. Those colors are synonymous with a franchise long viewed as a bitter rival of both the New York Jets and the New York Giants, and their appearance on a New York landmark felt, to many, deeply inappropriate.

Patriots Clinch Super Bowl LX Spot

The display followed New England’s 10–7 victory over the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship Game. Behind second-year quarterback Drake Maye, the Patriots secured their first Super Bowl appearance in seven years, completing a rapid turnaround under head coach Mike Vrabel.

The win sent New England to Super Bowl LX, where the team is set to face the Seattle Seahawks. It also triggered celebratory gestures across the league — including the controversial lighting of the Empire State Building.

A Celebration That Struck a Nerve

Shortly after the AFC Championship concluded, a video circulated on social media showing the upper levels of the Empire State Building illuminated in Patriots colors. The caption celebrating New England’s achievement only intensified the reaction.

Within minutes, fans flooded the comments with anger and disbelief.

“Disgrace,” was the most repeated response.

Another fan wrote, “This is absolutely disgraceful,” while others questioned how such a decision could be approved in a city with two NFL franchises.

For many, the issue was not about the Patriots’ success, but about symbolism. The Empire State Building is viewed as a representation of New York itself — and seeing it honor a rival team felt like a violation of that identity.

Jets and Giants Fans Feel Undermined

The backlash was particularly strong among Jets and Giants supporters, both fanbases already enduring difficult rebuilding phases. Seeing a New York landmark celebrate a team that has dominated and tormented their franchises for decades only amplified frustration.

Several fans argued that the optics were especially poor given the struggles of New York football in recent seasons. Others questioned why a city symbol would be used to celebrate non–New York teams at all.

Calls quickly emerged for the Empire State Building to reconsider its policies regarding league-wide celebrations, with many suggesting that New York landmarks should prioritize local teams — or remain neutral entirely.

Civic Pride Meets Sports Rivalry

Santa Clara bound!⁰Shining in @Patriots colors in honor of their AFC Championship win. pic.twitter.com/Fkhw1HSxo3

— Empire State Building (@EmpireStateBldg) January 25, 2026

The controversy extended beyond sports into questions of civic pride. Some fans argued that while neutrality may make sense in theory, certain rivalries are too emotionally charged to ignore in practice. For them, the Patriots represent everything New York football fans have pushed against for years.

The debate highlighted how deeply sports allegiances are woven into the fabric of major cities. In places like New York, landmarks are not just structures — they are symbols, and symbols carry emotional weight.

Patriots Shift Focus to Super Bowl Preparation

While New York fans voiced their frustration, the Patriots quickly turned their attention toward Super Bowl preparation. Vrabel reportedly laid out clear expectations for his players following the AFC Championship victory, emphasizing discipline and focus over extended celebration.

Patriots defensive lineman Milton Williams shared that message publicly.

“No curfew tonight,” Williams said.
“But the bus leaves at 8 in the morning — and if you’re not on it, you’re not playing in the Bowl.”

The statement reflected Vrabel’s reputation for strict accountability as New England prepares for its biggest game of the season.

Super Bowl LX Matchup Set

The Patriots will face the Seahawks, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, in what is being billed as a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX. For New England, the game represents another opportunity to add to an already storied legacy.

For many New York fans, however, that legacy is precisely why the Empire State Building’s display felt so wrong.

A Reminder That Symbols Matter

The backlash serves as a reminder that in sports-driven cities, gestures matter. Colors matter. Landmarks matter. What may appear as a simple celebration can feel deeply personal when rivalries and identities are involved.

While the lights have since changed, the reaction was unmistakable. For many New Yorkers, the message was clear:

Some colors simply don’t belong on the skyline.