SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that Apollo, the San Francisco-based AI go-to-market system, will be the presenting partner of “Brace for Impact,” the Earthquakes' campaign for the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs. The partnership will bring the campaign to life throughout the club’s postseason march, beginning with the first-ever playoff match in PayPal Park history, and includes in-stadium fan experiences and Quakes' playoff content across broadcast, digital and social channels.
“Brace for Impact” is the rallying cry for Earthquakes supporters to get behind the team as it chases the club's first MLS Cup since 2003, calling on fans across the Bay Area to fill PayPal Park, bring the noise and make every home playoff match a fortress. The campaign will extend from the stadium to the screen, bringing one of the Bay Area’s rising tech brands alongside one of MLS' original clubs for the most important stretch of the season. As presenting partner, Apollo will be integrated across the Earthquakes' postseason campaign, including:
- Presenting recognition on the club's first home PayPal Park playoff match
- In-stadium visibility at PayPal Park
- Stadium-wide giveaways
- Digital and social content across the Earthquakes' channels throughout the postseason
“I’m so proud of the team for clinching an Audi MLS Cup Playoff spot, and to bring the first postseason home game to PayPal Park will be an incredible event for the Bay Area,” said Earthquakes President Jared Shawlee. “We’re thrilled to have a partner like Apollo step up and support us for what will be a momentous run, not only for the club but the community as a whole.”
“Winning takes preparation, discipline, and a team that knows how to execute when it matters most,” said Matt Curl, CEO of Apollo. “That mentality is central to how we operate at Apollo, and we’re proud to bring it to PayPal Park as part of the Earthquakes' extended team. As presenting partner for ‘Brace for Impact,’ we look forward to seeing the Earthquakes make a deep playoff run and bring home their third MLS Cup.”
The entirety of the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs will air on Apple TV. Tickets for home playoff games at PayPal Park will be available at sjearthquakes.com/tickets in the following days, with an exclusive presale available to current Season Ticket Holders before they go on sale to the general public.
Fans can follow the “Brace for Impact” campaign on the Earthquakes' social channels using #BraceForImpact.
About Apollo
Apollo is the AI GTM System that uniquely combines data, intelligence, and execution in one loop helping every business find and win their next customer. Trusted by millions of users and over 600,000 companies worldwide, Apollo combines one of the industry’s largest B2B contact databases with a purpose built GTM intelligence engine and a full execution stack, in an all-in-one system. Learn more at apollo.io.
About San Jose Earthquakes
The San Jose Earthquakes, one of Major League Soccer’s original teams, are the epicenter for soccer in Northern California, playing at the highest professional level in the United States. The club won MLS Cups in 2001 and 2003 and took home Supporters’ Shields in 2005 and 2012. The Earthquakes are based out of PayPal Park, an 18,000-seat soccer-specific stadium that opened in 2015 and is the first cloud-enabled venue in MLS. The organization was originally founded in 1974 in the North American Soccer League, and in 2024, celebrated its 50th anniversary of positively impacting communities around Northern California. The club’s nonprofit arm, the Quakes Foundation, focuses on health and fitness initiatives for local underserved youth and fighting food insecurity. For more information about the Earthquakes, visit sjearthquakes.com.