West Ham United and Game Day Vision enhance experience for the visually impaired

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West Ham United and Game Day Vision collaborate to enhance the match-day experience of visually impaired fans for the 2025/26 Premier League season. This partnership will ensure that these fans are accompanied by a fully sighted volunteer in the stadium and during travel to and from.

The mission of the Essex-based organisation is to provide visually impaired people with equal opportunities by enabling them to attend live sporting and cultural events. 

Andrew Birch, the founder of Game Day Vision, commented on the necessity of this partnership.

“As a blind person I have attended many events at the London Stadium. Although I think the facilities are brilliant, it can sometimes be tricky navigating your way around without sighted assistance. Having sighted assistance with you is a massive advantage,” Birch said in a statement 

“I first decided to reach out to the Club after attending a West Ham match at the start of last season and finding it difficult to make my way around on my own. My own experience made me realise that fans may need some assistance with them to encourage them to come along to matches. I wouldn’t want there to be barriers holding people back from attending matches with their favourite team.

“Our main aim is to attract more supporters who would like some further assistance at matches. We would also like to attract more potential volunteers to join our team.” 

Cathy Bayford, Co-Chair of the West Ham United Disabled Supporters Association, addressed the relationship between the association and the club. 

“We were delighted to participate in discussions with the Club to bring this provision to the London Stadium, creating more opportunities for visually impaired fans to attend our games. This initiative continues to demonstrate the ongoing collaboration between the Club and the DSA to enhance the matchday experience for supporters who have accessibility needs,” Bayford said in a statement. 

In addition to this service, the club also offers visually impaired fans an audio descriptive commentary service. This allows these fans to keep track of the game using a receiver. 

 

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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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