The United States Postal Service will honor boxing legend Muhammad Ali with two Forever stamps, featuring designs based on a 1974 Associated Press photograph of the three-time heavyweight champion.
The stamps, part of the 2026 commemorative series, will be officially issued January 15, 2026. Customers can preorder them online at the USPS store, with shipping beginning on the issue date.
A free, public first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony will take place Thursday, January 15, 2026, at noon Eastern Time. The event is scheduled at the University of Louisville’s L & N Federal Credit Union Stadium in the Angel’s Envy Bourbon Club, located at 2550 S Floyd St., Louisville, KY 40208. The Honorable Ronald A. Stroman, a member of the USPS Board of Governors, will participate. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance at usps.com/muhammadalistamps. News and updates about the stamps are being shared using the hashtag #MuhammadAliStamps.
The two stamp designs, created by USPS art director Antonio Alcalá, use the same 1974 photo of Ali in different layouts. One features the image prominently with his name, while the other incorporates “ALI” in bold lettering arranged to evoke motion, nodding to promotional posters from his career and the energy of his ring presence. Forever stamps hold value for first-class mail regardless of future rate changes.
Stamp Design and Issuance Process
The U.S. Postal Service selects subjects for commemorative stamps through the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee, which reviews proposals for individuals, events, and themes reflecting American history and culture. Living persons are not eligible, and deceased figures typically wait a period before consideration. Muhammad Ali, who passed in 2016, fits criteria for icons who contributed significantly beyond their primary field.
The 2026 program includes diverse subjects, with Ali’s stamps among early releases following issues like Angel’s Trumpets on January 9 and Love stamps on January 13. Dedication ceremonies often occur in locations tied to the honoree, explaining the choice of Louisville—Ali’s hometown, where he was born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in 1942.
Preorders allow collectors and the public to secure sheets ahead of local post office availability. The stamps join previous sports-related issues honoring figures across disciplines.
Ali’s Life and Legacy
Known as “The Greatest,” Ali won the heavyweight title three times, facing top opponents in an era of intense competition. Beyond boxing, he became a global advocate for civil rights, refusing induction into the Vietnam War draft on conscientious objector grounds, a stance that cost him his title temporarily but solidified his role in social movements.
Ali’s humanitarian efforts included medical relief, hunger aid, and advocacy for the underserved. In 1998, the United Nations named him a Messenger of Peace. In 2005, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. That year, he and his wife, Lonnie, established the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, a museum and cultural space promoting his principles of respect, conviction, and compassion.
Ali once quipped, “I should be a postage stamp, because that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked,” a line referenced in USPS announcements. His influence spanned peace, faith, and justice, inspiring generations through courage both in the ring and public life.
The stamps recognize Ali’s enduring impact, placing him among commemorated Americans on everyday mail. Collectors in Southern Maryland and nationwide can participate by ordering early or following ceremony details.