WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Washington Nationals made a landmark announcement, unveiling AARP as the team’s inaugural jersey patch sponsor and official community impact partner.
Beginning July 1, the AARP logo will appear on all Nationals jerseys throughout the regular season, postseason, and spring training, debuting as the team kicks off a six-game homestand against the Detroit Tigers. But this collaboration goes far beyond the jersey patch, encompassing a wide range of community initiatives and activations at Nationals Park.
“When looking for our inaugural jersey patch sponsor, it was important for us to work with an organization that aligns with our values, one that embraces not just the ‘Next Gen Natitude’ on the field and in the clubhouse, but also brings together all generations of Nationals fans,” said Alan Gottlieb, chief operating officer of Lerner Sports Group. “Whether you remember bringing your kids or grandkids to our inaugural season in 2005, or you’re bringing your family to the ballpark for the first time this year, this partnership is exciting for fans of all ages, and we’re proud to welcome AARP to the Nationals family for years to come.”
AARP CEO Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing baseball’s unique role in connecting generations: “Baseball is more than a game — it’s a tradition that connects us across generations. This community-based partnership with the Nationals, and seeing the AARP logo on the Nationals’ jerseys, are powerful reminders of the memories we create with the people we love, from attending a first game with a parent to building a future with the next generation. We’re proud to team up with the Nationals to celebrate those connections here in Washington and on the road in every community across the country.”
The partnership also highlights the shared commitment of two Washington, D.C.-based organizations to community impact. It supports AARP’s core pillars of health, wealth, and self through initiatives such as the Nationals’ participation in AARP’s Wish of a Lifetime program, which grants exclusive experiences to older adults. The collaboration will also educate fans of all ages on fraud prevention, brain health, and more.
The more we had those conversations, the more we knew this was the right opportunity, and this was the opportunity that we wanted to move forward with.
“We'll be celebrating every Nats stolen base with a public service message highlighting AARP's fraud prevention tools,” said Hassanyeh. “Stolen bases are great, but stolen identities are not.”
Fans can look forward to special on-site activations, a dedicated AARP night at the ballpark, player and mascot appearances, and exclusive benefits for AARP members, including early ballpark access, reserved parking, and seat upgrades to the PNC Diamond Club at every home game.
Hassanyeh expressed enthusiasm about the partnership’s broader significance: “This collaboration between AARP and the Washington Nationals is about celebrating the multi-generational world of baseball. Baseball lives in family values, whether you play catch in your backyard with your dad, hear stories about great games from grandparents, catch your first game, or learn how to keep score. We see that kind of love in ballparks and grandstands every single day. That same spirit is at the heart of what we're doing here today with the Washington Nationals. We're happy to be here, we truly are. Not only to be sponsoring the Nationals' jersey patch, but it's much more than that. It's about being the community impact partner. The Nationals' commitment for all generations is why this moment is so important.”
The Nationals will sport two versions of the AARP patch this season: a special red patch on the home white jerseys and a white patch with red lettering on the alternate red and blue jerseys, gray road uniforms, and the City Connect edition.
Matt Lemire reflected on the partnership process: “For us, it's been something that we were searching for the right partner for a decent amount of time. We worked with Excel Sports Management, and I think what it came down to was once we started having those conversations with the team at AARP, it's a local company, it has a truly valuable mission, and they're focused on the community. All of those things really lined up with what we are as an organization. The more we had those conversations, the more we knew this was the right opportunity, and this was the opportunity that we wanted to move forward with.”
Before this announcement, the Nationals were the only MLB team without a jersey patch sponsor or stadium naming rights partner—two major revenue sources that help fund roster construction. While financial details of the multi-year deal with AARP remain undisclosed, Lemire confirmed the team is now actively pursuing a stadium naming rights partner.
“I think we're very excited about today to be here with AARP and announce the inaugural jersey patch partnership,” Lemire said. “The naming rights is the next opportunity that we’ll work with Excel Sports Management on and focus on. It has to make sense for us as an organization, as a market, and as a community. Those opportunities take time to find.”
AARP, the nation’s largest nonprofit dedicated to empowering people 50 and older, brings a strong mission to this partnership—strengthening communities and advocating for health security, financial stability, and personal fulfillment for over 100 million Americans and their families.
When looking for our inaugural jersey patch sponsor, it was important for us to work with an organization that aligns with our values, one that embraces not just the ‘Next Gen Natitude’ on the field and in the clubhouse, but also brings together all generations of Nationals fans