Press

Yerba Madre Expands Athlete Roster for 2026, Reinforcing Purpose-Driven Commitment to Sport Performance and Culture

OAKLAND, Calif. and LOS ANGELES, Feb. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – Yerba Madre, the nearly 30-year pioneer of regenerative organic yerba mate, has announced its expanded 2026 athlete roster, a cross-sport collective of world-class competitors fueling a new era of performance rooted in functional nutrition, community connection, and cultural ritual. Yerba Madre is the leading yerba mate brand in North America, with 89 percent share of the mate category, and is introducing millions of Americans to a South American tradition that spans more than 3,000 years.

Building upon its Sports Marketing Redesigned strategy introduced in 2024, Yerba Madre is deepening its footprint in the global sports arena. The brand's 2026 athlete roster spans professional basketball, soccer, climbing, surfing, skateboarding, BMX, Jiu-Jitsu, and other disciplines. This expansion signals Yerba Madre's commitment to providing athletes and fans with a clean performance staple that bridges the gap between the high-octane demands of professional sport, clean hydration, and the ancestral traditions of South American mate culture.

Yerba Madre 2026 athlete partners include:

Basketball: Jared McCain (@jmac), Hansel Emmanuel @enmanuelhansel), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (@nickeilaw), Tristan da Silva (@tristan.da.silva), Trentyn Flowers (@trent_yn)
Soccer: Jeremy Ebobisse (@kingjebo), Casey Phair (@caseyphair_), Madison Hammond (@gohaamm)
Action & Olympic Sports: Samuel Watson (Speed Climbing, @samuelwatson__), Ty Ruotolo (Jiu-Jitsu, @tyeruotolo), Kade Ruotolo (Jiu-Jitsu, @ruotolobrothersjiujitsu), Legend Chandler (Surfing, @legend_chandler), Luana Silva (Surf, @luanasilva__), Beatrice Domond (Skate, @beatricedomond), Mariah Duran (Skate, @mariahduran_), Cole Trotta (Downhill Skate, @coletrotta), Jae Milez (BMX, @jaemilez)

"Too often, athlete marketing stops at a logo and a moment," said Emily Kortlang, Chief Marketing Officer at Yerba Madre. "Yerba mate has been part of athletic life in South America for generations, not because of sponsorships, but because of what it represents: shared ritual, community, and culture. As we grow our athlete collective for 2026, we're building long-term partnerships with athletes who live those values, people who show up consistently on and off the field and help bring mate's cultural roots and communal spirit into sport culture across North America."

Throughout 2026, Yerba Madre will activate its athletes through select cultural moments, major events (e.g., all-star weekend, world cup, and more), and media storytelling that engages sporting communities and fans. These efforts will spotlight Yerba Madre yerba mate as a culturally rooted, plant-based alternative to synthetic stimulant beverages, with sustained performance and lifestyle benefits grounded in the mate ritual.

Yerba mate's naturally occurring combination of caffeine (also found in coffee), theobromine (also found in chocolate), and polyphenols (also found in green tea) is widely recognized by athletes for better workouts, performance, and steady, sustained focus, and it has become a staple ritual in global futbol culture. Yerba Madre's ready-to-drink mate beverages help bring that legacy and functional benefit into training, travel, and everyday routines for athletes and fans alike.

Fans can connect with Yerba Madre athletes and learn more about mate's performance benefits and the brand's regenerative mission by visiting YerbaMadre.com and connecting with @yerbamadre on social media.