USPS unveils new stamps for 2026

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced the release of two new stamps for 2026. 

Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express stamp designs will celebrate American space exploration with dazzling images taken from NASA’s James Webb telescope. 

These new 2026 designs join ten others, which shine a light on cultural milestones and anniversaries important to Americans. Their release also coincides with USPS marking its 250th year. 

Why It Matters

As stamp collecting remains a tradition for enthusiasts and a symbol of national heritage, these releases reflect a broader narrative of American identity and achievement. 

The variety in the 2026 program, from scientific wonders to figures of social progress, positions the Postal Service’s stamp releases as snapshots of the American story for collectors and the public alike.

What To Know

On Friday, USPS announced its 2026 Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express stamps, alongside the first set of release dates and locations through March 2026. 

The 2026 program features stamps commemorating scientific exploration, cultural figures, state anniversaries, and iconic American themes. Among the highlights:

Crab Nebula (Priority Mail): This stamp features an infrared image of the Crab Nebula captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Located 6,500 light-years away in the Taurus constellation, the nebula is among the brightest remnants of a supernova, an exploded star in the night sky.

USPS art director Greg Breeding designed the stamp using a NASA photo. It awaits denominational approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Galaxy Pair (Priority Mail Express): The Express rate stamp presents a composite image of two interacting galaxies (IC 2163 and NGC 2207) located about 80 million light-years from Earth, taken by the James Webb and Hubble space telescopes. Greg Breeding also designed the stamp using NASA imagery. Issue dates for both space-themed stamps remain to be determined after regulatory review.

Muhammad Ali: Stamps honoring the late three-time world heavyweight boxing champion and activist will be released on January 15 in Louisville, Kentucky, using a 1974 Associated Press photo. 

Other Announced Issues (January–March 2026): The early 2026 calendar includes stamps for Angel’s Trumpets (January 9, Kenosha, Wisconsin), Love (January 13, Kansas City, Missouri no ceremony), Colorado Statehood (January 24, Denver, Colorado), Black Heritage: Phillis Wheatley (January 29, Boston, Massachusetts), Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse, February 3, Houston, Texas), Bruce Lee (February 18, Seattle, Washington), Harriet Powers (February 28, Washington, D.C.), Lowriders (March 13, San Diego, California), and Sunflowers (March 14, Strongsville, Ohio). 

What People Are Saying

Lisa Bobb-Semple, USPS Stamp Services Director, said: “Each stamp is a small work of art—an entryway into a larger story that connects people, places and moments in history. This year, we continue to honor that legacy with a diverse range of subjects and designs, from beloved series and commemorative anniversaries to bold new releases that will inspire and excite collectors and admirers alike.”

What Happens Next

Customers can buy the new stamps online at usps.com/shopstamps, by phone, by mail, or at select post offices. Officially licensed stamp products are available through the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. 

The USPS is set to announce additional 2026 stamp subjects in the coming months, with the possibility of design changes before issue. Dates and locations for first-day-of-issue ceremonies of some stamps may also shift.