Manchester City boosted with regional partnership in India

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Manchester City
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Manchester City has announced a regional partnership with Jio Platforms Ltd (“Jio”) that will see India’s leading digital services brand become City’s Official Mobile Communications Network Partner in India.

The newly formed partnership has been both enabled and supported by RISE Worldwide, India’s largest sports and entertainment company.

The partnership between both business will include a collaboration on a variety of engaging experiences where supporters will have access to JIO’s digital ecosystem this consists of four applications JioTV, MyJio, Jio STB and JioEngage. It also includes other applications and platforms that have exclusive giveaways and market activities.

JioTv is a unique proposition that differs from the company’s ecosystem. The company’s digital video platform gives users access to over 900 channels in 16 languages across 12 different genres. These statistics make the platform the second biggest OTT platform globally amassing over 350 million downloads.

An added bonus for the brand, apart from featuring across Man City’s in-stadia and digital assets, is that the new deal includes Jio associate brands, RISE and also giving Viacom18 leverage with several partnership rights across football and sports offerings.

Akash Ambani, Chairman of Reliance JIO Infocomm Ltd. (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jio Platforms Ltd), said in a statement:

“We are excited to announce Jio’s exclusive partnership with Manchester City in India through which we will present City fans with experience through a multitude of digitally powered immersive initiatives. We believe both brands share similar values of bringing transformational impact to their communities and through this partnership, we endeavour to bring the best of football to the sports and Man City fans in India”, he said.

City Football Group Chief Executive Officer Ferran Soriano added via press release:

“We’re pleased to welcome Jio as an Official Partner of Manchester City today. The Club has a passionate and growing fanbase in India and we’re continually exploring new ways to provide greater fan experiences for our followers in the region and around the globe, particularly within the digital and technology space,” he said.

“We look forward to working with Jio as we develop these opportunities throughout the partnership.” he said.

The partnership between Manchester City and Jio Platforms Ltd will assist greatly in the growth of football in India and surrounding areas also benefiting City’s supporter base outside of the United Kingdom.

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Mbappé move from Nike to On signals new battle for Football’s sponsorship market

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Kylian Mbappe UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier
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Kylian Mbappé’s decision to leave Nike after almost 20 years has opened a new chapter in the commercial battle for football’s biggest names. The Real Madrid and France star has joined Swiss sportswear brand On, a significant boon for the company on entry into the football market.

Mbappé’s departure is a significant commercial loss for Nike. The forward joined the company as a nine-year-old and grew into one of its leading football figures. His loss compounds the recent transition of Spanish star Lamine Yamal to long-time rival Adidas.

On built its reputation in running, before expanding into tennis via Roger Federer. It will now use Mbappé’s experience as it develops football products, with its first boots expected to become widely available in the near future. Former France star Thierry Henry has also joined On as its football director and is a shareholder.

On has confirmed that Mbappé’s agreement includes both cash and equity, although the financial details have not been released, gives the partnership a deeper commercial connection than a traditional endorsement deal. Nike still holds significant football contracts, including long-term partnership with numerous national teams.

However, Mbappé’s move gives On an opportunity to challenge the established order, including Nike, Adidas, Puma and other emerging competitors. But will they turn this prized signature into lasting football credibility? To do so, the brand must now deliver products that can compete on performance, design and price.

Mbappé’s switch is therefore more than a sponsorship change. It signals an increasingly competitive fight for football’s most influential athletes and the billions of fans who follow them.

SBS expands Australian Championship broadcast coverage for 2026

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Image Credits: Football Australia

The Australian Championship will enter its second season with an expanded broadcast partnership between Football Australia and SBS. The 2026 competition will feature two live SBS broadcasts in every round, marking an increase from the tournament’s debut season.

Thursday night football will form a key part of the new broadcast schedule. The opening match will see Preston Lions face Wollongong Wolves on October 15th, with the game broadcast live on SBS2 and SBS On Demand. Saturday football will also remain part of the free-to-air schedule; first up, Sutherland Sharks’ clash with South Melbourne on October 17th will be shown live on SBS and SBS On Demand.

The expanded agreement gives the competition a greater presence across SBS’s linear channels while retaining its full streaming coverage, with every match across the 2026 Australian Championship available live on SBS On Demand. The platform also provides full replays and highlights for viewers to access at their discretion.

In addition to SBS’ coverage, Football Australia will also stream the competition via YouTube.

The Australian Championship consists of a six-round group stage, finals beginning at quarter-finals from November 26, and a Grand Final scheduled currently between December 10-12.

It features 16 clubs from seven states and territories. The broadcast schedule places several historic fixtures in front of a national audience: South Melbourne will meet Sydney United 58 in a repeat of the 1999 NSL Grand Final, and Sydney Olympic and Marconi Stallions will also renew a rivalry that includes NSL Grand Final meetings in 1989 and 1990.

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