Weeks ahead of #RushTok, brands are getting ready to Get Ready With Me

We’re about to witness the return of #RushTok, and the 2026 edition of the back-to-school phenomenon might be bigger than any installment that’s come before. At schools across the United States, potential new members (PNMs) of sorority houses are getting ready to rush, and American Eagle is positioning itself as a significant part of Greek life.

The retailer is launching a program that will see it work alongside five sorority chapters. According to Glossy, colleges featured in the program include the University of Florida, Arizona State University, and the school that is most closely associated with #RushTok: the University of Alabama.

As part of its initiative, American Eagle will take over sorority houses and will activate through product displays, giveaways, and events. In addition, the brand is collaborating with some individual creators who have achieved fame during previous editions of #RushTok. One of those partners is Avery Katherine Wood, a University of Florida student with nearly three million followers on TikTok.

“RushTok has become a commercial opportunity for the girls that go through recruitment and for the chapters themselves,” American Eagle CMO Craig Brommers told Glossy. “It is a proper business partnership.”

What strikes me about American Eagle’s move into the #RushTok scene is the timing of the campaign. The brand began promoting its #RushTok activity weeks before schools like Alabama will begin the sorority recruitment process. At Florida, rush won’t begin until August 15. But when PNMs plan their OOTDs (outfits of the day) far in advance, a preemptive partnership is a wise choice.

Will 2026 bring peak #RushTok?

Thanks to a few trends that are converging on college campuses, 2026 might be the most hyped edition of #RushTok we’ve seen yet.

For starters, consider the timing. #RushTok first became a mainstream phenomenon in 2021, and by 2023, it had developed a reputation as an event that mints new TikTok stars. Therefore, in 2026, sorority houses will be filled with students who have been part of #RushTok. From the most wizened seniors to the youngest PNMs, everyone involved in 2026 rush understands what the process has become.

It’s also worth noting that major universities are more accepting of content creators than ever before. Arizona State University, one of the schools where American Eagle is active, recently announced one of the nation’s first content creation degrees. That academic program will surely attract some PNMs who are eager to “go pro” on TikTok.

#RushTok has been scaling up for years. It has evolved into #DormTok and has received ample attention from brands. 2026 might be the trend’s zenith, and American Eagle is determined to be at the center of the action. Hopefully, this campaign ends up being a bit less controversial than the Sydney Sweeney ads American Eagle ran last year.