Peyton Manning returns as “Paintin’ Manning” in latest Nationwide commercial

• Nationwide’s new commercial, “Locker Room,” debuts Sept. 9 during the 2026 NFL Kickoff game broadcast on NBC
• Peyton Manning reprises his role as “Paintin’ Manning” with Saquon Barkley appearing as himself
• The commercial reinforces that Nationwide is both a great insurance company and one of America’s largest financial services companies

As the 2026 NFL season gets underway, Nationwide is bringing Peyton Manning’s “Paintin’ Manning” character back in “Locker Room,” its latest advertising creative featuring Manning and NFL All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley. The spot debuts on September 9 on NBC during the 2026 NFL Kickoff game.

“Locker Room” is the latest installment of Nationwide’s “So Much More” campaign, which highlights the breadth of the company’s offerings through football-focused storytelling.

What is Nationwide’s “Locker Room” commercial?

View the new spot here

The “Locker Room” spot uses Manning’s “Paintin” character and lighthearted humor to highlight Nationwide’s offerings across insurance and financial services.

Set in a football stadium, the spot follows Manning as he brings his artistic skills to the locker room, where his Nationwide teammate Saquon Barkley finds him touching up anything he can get his paintbrush on. Through his creative passion, Manning transforms his surroundings while boldly conveying the message that Nationwide is “so much more” than a great insurance company. It is also one of America’s largest financial services companies.

What is the message behind the campaign?

Nationwide’s “So Much More” campaign is designed to broaden how consumers understand the company beyond insurance and the ways it can support their financial futures.

“This latest iteration of our ‘So Much More’ campaign combines imaginative, football-centered storytelling to reinforce Nationwide’s identity as both an insurance and financial services company,” said Ann Bair, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer for Nationwide. “Bringing that message to life through ‘Paintin’ and Saquon gives us a distinctive, memorable way to help consumers understand how Nationwide helps them protect what matters today and plan for what comes next.”

“I enjoyed coming back to Paintin’ Manning, and having Saquon in the locker room gave us a new way to have fun with the character,” said Manning. “We leaned into the humor fans expect while conveying something people may not always realize: Nationwide is on your side in more ways than one, with solutions that go beyond insurance and support people’s broader financial needs.”

“Working with Peyton always makes for a fun shoot, and ‘Locker Room’ definitely delivered,” said Barkley. “What I like about this campaign is that the humor has a purpose. It helps show people that Nationwide does a lot more than they may realize, from insurance to financial services.”

When does the new Nationwide commercial debut?

“Locker Room” debuts Wednesday, September 9 on NBC during the 2026 NFL Kickoff matchup between the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Fans can expect to see “Locker Room” as well as other new creative featuring Manning and Barkley throughout the NFL season.

Fans can view previous ads from Nationwide's "So Much More" campaign featuring Manning on Nationwide’s YouTube channel.

About Nationwide + NFL

Nationwide has been an Official Sponsor of the National Football League since 2014. The partnership designates Nationwide as an official sponsor across key insurance and financial service categories, including auto, home, life, business, agribusiness, pet insurance and retirement planning. The centerpiece of the multiyear partnership is presenting sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.