Apple Is Hosting a Ted Lasso Look-Alike Contest in NYC

Apple is throwing a real-life Ted Lasso look-alike contest in New York City, just in time for the premiere of Ted Lasso Season 4 on Apple TV+ this Wednesday. And yes, they’ll be judging how authentic your mustache is!

What’s Going On

To celebrate the return of its beloved soccer comedy, Apple invites fans to show up dressed as Ted Lasso. You’ll need the classic AFC Richmond polo shirt, Kansas City Royals hat, and, most importantly, a convincing mustache. The event is happening in New York City, where judges will assess both the facial hair and the overall costume.

Picture this as a costume contest where the standard is one of the most recognizable TV characters of the last decade: an upbeat American football coach managing a British soccer club. The character’s bushy mustache and friendly nature have become iconic, making it nearly as common to see a Ted Lasso costume at Halloween as a Stranger Things Eleven.

The Details

While Apple hasn’t made a full set of contest rules public, sources like MacRumors and 9to5Mac report that the contest is directly linked to the Season 4 premiere. Contestants should go all out with the look, not just slap on a fake mustache.

This event aligns with Apple’s marketing strategy for the new season. Ted Lasso is a flagship show for Apple TV+, showcasing why the streaming service is worth subscribing to. Getting fans into the streets of New York dressed as Ted is a classic publicity stunt—if it goes well, those costumes will flood social media.

Why Apple Is Doing This

Apple TV+ has always offered fewer titles compared to rivals like Netflix or HBO Max. Their focus has been on quality rather than quantity, and Ted Lasso proves that strategy works. The show won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series two years in a row (2021 and 2022), helping Apple TV+ become a serious player in streaming.

Season 4 is coming after a longer-than-usual break since Season 3 ended in 2023. That’s a three-year gap for fans, so Apple needs to remind everyone that the show is back and that Apple TV+ is the place to watch it. Hosting a look-alike contest with a mustache authenticity requirement is just the quirky, low-cost marketing tactic to generate buzz without breaking the bank.

What This Means for You

If you’re a Ted Lasso fan in New York City, this is a fun way to kick off the new season. If you’re elsewhere, here’s the takeaway: Season 4 premieres this Wednesday on Apple TV+, and you’ll need a subscription (currently $9.99 per month in the US). If you’ve been planning to rewatch earlier seasons before diving into Season 4, now’s the perfect time.

For everyone else, this highlights how much Apple values Ted Lasso. They don’t hold promotional events in Manhattan for shows they’re unsure about. Apple is betting that Season 4 can capture the cultural moment it had during the pandemic, when it became a comforting watch for many, crossing over from Apple TV+ subscribers to mainstream conversations.

Community Reactions

“If I lived in New York, I’d definitely show up with a fake mustache and an AFC Richmond kit. What a fun excuse to be silly in public.”

“‘Mustache authenticity’ is hilarious. Apple PR really said no fake stick-ons allowed.”

What To Watch

• This Wednesday: Ted Lasso Season 4 premieres on Apple TV+. The look-alike contest in New York City is linked to this launch date.
• Social media: Keep an eye out for contest photos on Instagram and X in the days surrounding the premiere. Apple will likely share the best ones.
• Apple TV+ subscriber numbers: Apple rarely shares subscription figures, but analyst estimates after the premiere might indicate if the Season 4 launch brought in new sign-ups.
• Critical reception: Reviews for Season 4 will come out around premiere day. The show faced mixed reactions to Season 3’s ending, so how critics view the new season will be crucial for its future on the platform.