Empire State Building lights up in Patriots colors after they reach Super Bowl 2026 — and New Yorkers are furious

The Empire State Building was dressed up in the colors of the Jets’ biggest rival on Sunday after the Patriots secured a spot in Super Bowl 2026, drawing the ire of New York football fans. 

As has been the case over the years, the iconic New York City landmark was lit up in different colors to honor a major moment in the sporting world, which has led to some issues in the past. 

“Santa Clara bound! Shining in [Patriots] colors in honor of their AFC Championship win,” the Empire State Building’s X account posted on Sunday evening. 

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

Naturally, it led to some pretty upset replies from local fans, stunned that the New York City building would have the audacity to rep rival colors. 

“Wait, is this a joke?  You are in New York!  You think if the Jets won they would be lighting buildings up in green in Boston?  I feel like I’m having a stroke,” one person wrote on X. 

“Zero percent chance Boston would ever do this for a NY team. Disgraceful,” another person wrote on the social media platform. 

“Someone needs to get fired,” another individual added. 

It even led to some people calling on New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani to put an end to the practice. 

“@NYCMayor Can we stop lighting up the Empire State Building in celebration of non New York Teams,” the user begged. 

Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holds the trophy after the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. AP

New York football fans could get some solace in the fact that it was only a few hours that the Patriots’ colors took over the Empire State Building. They were later changed to green and blue to celebrate the Seahawks’ win in the NFC Championship game. 

And in that, there is even a connection to New York, with the Seahawks quarterback being former Jet Sam Darnold. 

Back in 2023, local politicians had some fun with the anger over the ESB being lit up in Eagles colors after they earned a trip to the Super Bowl, with the Department of Sanitation, then led by current NYPD commish Jessica Tisch, to post a jab on social media. 

New England Patriots fan cheers next to a Denver Broncos fan during the NFC Championship. AP

“For anyone who finds this as treacherous, traitorous, and unforgivable as we do – just pretend it’s green and white for #NewYorksStrongest,” the Sanitation Department wrote on the platform. 

“We take out the trash every day…and next year, that’ll include the Eagles.”

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