From the USPS on October 29, 2025:
Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was a three-time world heavyweight boxing champion. He challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. As a boxer, activist and humanitarian, he defied expectations to become a globally celebrated cultural icon. The stamps feature a 1974 Associated Press photo. The name “ALI,” alternating top to bottom, suggests aspects of his career: promotional posters, his legendary movement in the ring, and the chants that greeted him when he traveled the world. Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps. The Muhammad Ali stamps will be issued Jan. 15 in Louisville, KY.
More details will be posted below the line, with the most recent information at the top.
Updated March 3rd:
The Scott catalogue numbers for these stamps are 6050 (black lettering and 6051 (red lettering).
Updated January 14th:
A video from the USPS:
Updated January 8th:
Technical Specifications:
Issue: Muhammad Ali Stamps
Item Number: 487600
Denomination & Type of Issue: First-Class Mail Forever®
Format: Pane of 20 (2 designs)
Series: N/A
Issue Date & City: January 15, 2026, Louisville, KY 40231
Art Director: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Designer: Antonio Alcalá, Alexandria, VA
Existing Photo: AP Images
Modeler: Sandra Lane / Michelle Finn
Manufacturing Process: Offset, Flexographic
Printer: Banknote Corporation of America
Press Type: Gallus RCS
Stamps per Pane: 20
Print Quantity: 22,000,000 stamps
Paper Type: Phosphor, Block Tag
Adhesive Type: Pressure-sensitive
Colors: PMS 4044 C, PMS 503 C, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black,
Stamp Orientation: Vertical
Image Area (w x h): 0.8400 x 1.4200 in. / 21.3360 x 36.0680 mm.
Overall Size (w x h): 0.9800 x 1.5600 in. / 24.8920 x 39.6240 mm.
Full Pane Size (w x h): 8.2500 x 7.2500 in. / 209.5500 x 184.1500 mm.
Press Sheet Size (w x h): 16.6250 x 14.6250 in. / 422.2750 x 371.4750 mm.
Plate Size: 80 stamps per revolution
Plate Number: “B” followed by six (6) single digits
Marginal Markings:
Front: Header: Muhammad Ali 1942 – 2018 Boxer, Activist, and Humanitarian • Plate number in bottom two corners of pane
Back: ©2025 USPS • USPS logo • Two barcodes (487600) • Plate position diagram (4) • Muhammad Ali™; Rights of Publicity and Persona Rights: Muhammad Ali Enterprises LLC • Promotional text
Updated January 3rd:
ESPER president Howard Ingram says Lonnie Ali, wife of Muhammad Ali and co-founder of the Muhammad Ali Center, and award-winning broadcaster and author Bob Costas will be among the speakers at the first-day ceremony.
Updated December 23rd:
On January 15, 2026, in Louisville, KY, the United States Postal Service® will issue the Muhammad Ali stamps (Forever® priced at the First-Class Mail® rate), in two designs, in a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) pane of 20 stamps (Item 487600). These stamps will go on sale nationwide January 15, 2026, and must not be sold or canceled before the first-day-of-issue. The Muhammad Ali commemorative pane of 20 stamps must not be split and the stamps must not be sold individually.
Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali™ (1942–2016) was a three-time heavyweight boxing champion. In his life, he challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. Two stamps feature a cropped, black and white AP photo of him from 1974 in his boxing stance. One stamp features the photo of Ali on the top half of the stamp with the name ALI written in dark brown letters below it. “THE GREATEST” runs up the right side of the “I.” On the second stamp, his photo is featured on the bottom half with ALI in red letters above it. Again, “THE GREATEST” runs up the right side of the “I.” The stamps are designed in a checkerboard configuration on the pane. The selvage shows a black and white 1976 AP photo of him in a pinstripe suit, representing his role as a humanitarian. Art director Antonio Alcalá designed the stamps and pane.
Automatic distribution.
How to Order the First-Day-of-Issue Postmark:
Customers have 120 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office™ or at The Postal Store® website at store.usps.com/store/home. They must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in a larger envelope addressed to:
FDOI – Muhammad Ali Stamps
USPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64144-9900
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for the postmark up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by May 15, 2026.
Technical Specifications are not yet available.
Updated December 15th:
Here are the first-day postmarks for this issue:
The Digital Color Postmark measures 2.91″ x 1.44″
The Pictorial Postmark measures 2.48″ x 1.06″ 
The Special postmark for use by other cities measures 2.44″ x 0.93″
[ceremony information] [click on any of the pictures for larger versions]
USPS Honors Muhammad Ali With Forever Stamps
He was a champion in the ring and for humanity causes
What: The U.S. Postal Service will honor Muhammad Ali, known as “The Greatest,” with two stamps. Ali once said, “I should be a postage stamp, because that’s the only way I’ll ever get licked.” Born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr. in Louisville, KY, Ali was known across the globe as a champion in and beyond the boxing ring.
The first-day-of-issue event for the Muhammad Ali Forever stamps is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag#MuhammadAliStamps.
Who: The Honorable Ronald A. Stroman, member of the USPS Board of Governors-
When: Thursday, Jan.15, 2026, at noon EST
Where:
University of Louisville
L & N Federal Credit Union Stadium
Angel’s Envy Bourbon Club
2550 S Floyd St.
Louisville, KY 40208
RSVP: Attendees are encouraged to register at: usps.com/muhammadalistamps.
Background: Known as “The Greatest,” Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) was a three-time heavyweight boxing champion. In his life, he challenged the best fighters in the world — and the world itself. At a time when African Americans fought to have a voice, he spoke loud and clear about his beliefs, defying expectations and empowering people around the world on his way to becoming a globally celebrated cultural icon.
Ali’s influence extended far beyond the ring. He used his platform to stand for peace, faith and justice, emerging as a global symbol of courage and compassion. His humanitarian work spanned continents — supporting medical relief, feeding the hungry and speaking up for those in need. In 1998, he was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and in 2005, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. That same year, Muhammad and his wife, Lonnie, founded theMuhammad Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville.
Muhammad Ali’s life was defined not only by his victories but by his conviction, generosity and enduring belief in the power of love and humanity. His spirit continues to inspire people everywhere, and his legacy lives on as “The Greatest.” 
Customers can preorder Muhammad Ali stamps on usps.com and they will be shipped on Jan. 15, 2026.
Interesting! According to Wikipedia, “Martial artist and actor Bruce Lee was influenced by Ali, whose footwork he studied and incorporated into his own style while developing Jeet Kune Do in the 1960s.”