Chelsea FC and Fanatics extend long-term collaboration

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Image credit: Vitalii Vitleo / Shutterstock.com

Chelsea FC has announced that the club has renewed and expanded its long-term agreement with Fanatics.

This new phase of the collaboration will bring Chelsea fans an improved online shopping experience with upgraded website features, exclusive content, and a wider selection of products.

As part of the expanded agreement, Fanatics will continue managing Chelsea’s global eCommerce operations and gain additional rights to design and produce new fan apparel.

They will use their in-house design and manufacturing expertise to create premium, exclusive merchandise tailored specifically for Chelsea supporters worldwide. This update comes amid strong growth in merchandise sales through Chelsea’s online store.

Since partnering with Fanatics in 2018, sales have consistently grown by double digits each year. In 2024 alone, Fanatics delivered Chelsea gear to fans in over 130 countries around the globe.

Together, Chelsea and Fanatics are committed to offering fans a top-notch digital shopping experience, which will include the launch of a revamped online store.

The new site will showcase enhanced product details and images, smarter search powered by the latest AI technology, faster checkout, and support for multiple languages and payment options.

Phil Lynch, Chief Digital Officer of Chelsea Football Club, expressed excitement about extending the partnership with Fanatics.

“We are delighted to extend our partnership with Fanatics,” Lynch said in a press release.

“Together, we are always looking for new and innovative ways to engage with our loyal fanbase, and with the launch of our new e-commerce platform, we have delivered a world-class shopping experience through personalisation and a best-in-class commerce experience.”

Stephen Dowling, International President at Fanatics, highlighted Fanatics’ commitment to delivering premium gear and a smooth shopping experience to Chelsea’s passionate fanbase.

“Chelsea FC’s ambition to be at the forefront of global football makes this partnership exciting for us,” Dowling said via press release.

“Their loyal and passionate fanbase deserves the best merchandise and a seamless and elevated shopping experience when they shop online with the club.

“We are committed to delivering that for them in the years ahead and look forward to continuing our work together.”

This expanded partnership marks an exciting new chapter for both Chelsea FC and Fanatics, focused on delivering a world-class shopping experience that matches the passion and loyalty of Chelsea supporters around the globe.

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Football Queensland Welcomes Musco Lighting as Official Lighting Partner

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Image Credit: Musco.com

Football Queensland has welcomed Musco Lighting as its Official Lighting Partner, bringing world-class sports lighting expertise to football clubs and facilities across the state.

The partnership will support Football Queensland clubs as participation continues to grow across the state, helping communities access safer, higher-quality and more accessible football facilities.

Musco Lighting is a global leader in sports lighting, with more than 50 years of experience delivering lighting solutions across sporting venues worldwide. The company was also the first in the world to be certified by FIFA as a Preferred Provider for Floodlight Systems and provided lighting for 12 of the 16 stadiums used at the recent FIFA World Cup.

Through the new partnership, Football Queensland clubs will have access to Musco’s specialist expertise and solutions as they look to improve and develop their lighting infrastructure.

Football Queensland CEO Robert Cavallucci said the partnership represented an important step in supporting the continued growth of football across Queensland.

“I’m proud to see this partnership between Football Queensland and Musco come to life.

“With participation continuing to grow across Queensland, the need for quality football infrastructure has never been greater. This partnership will help our clubs access world-class lighting expertise to create safer, better and more accessible facilities for their communities.

The partnership provides an opportunity to combine Football Queensland’s extensive network across the state’s football community with Musco’s global expertise in sports lighting, supporting clubs as they continue to invest in facilities that meet the needs of their growing participation bases.

Football Queensland and Musco will work together to help clubs identify lighting solutions that can enhance facility quality and accessibility, supporting more opportunities for players and communities to participate in football.

Football Queensland Official Lighting Partner – Musco Lighting

With more than five decades of experience in sports lighting, Musco has delivered projects across some of the world’s most significant sporting venues and events.

The company’s FIFA Preferred Provider certification and involvement in the recent FIFA World Cup further demonstrates its expertise in delivering lighting systems to the highest international standards.

The partnership with Football Queensland will bring this expertise closer to Queensland’s football community, providing clubs with access to a specialist lighting partner as the game continues to grow across the state.

Premier League clubs approve new strategic partnership proposal with EFL

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The Premier League and its clubs have recently approved a funded proposal for a new long-term strategic partnership with the English Football League (EFL). The deal could deliver significant additional funding to clubs across the English football pyramid.

The proposal, approved on July 30, will now go to the EFL and its 72 member clubs for consideration. The agreement could begin from the 2026/27 season, subject to further discussions and approval.

The move follows years of debate over the distribution of Premier League revenues. It also comes as English football looks to establish a more sustainable financial settlement between the top flight and the EFL.

A new financial package

The Premier League has not released the full financial details of the proposal. Reporting from the BBC and Sky News indicates the package could provide an additional $2.86 billion (1.5 billion pounds) to EFL clubs over 10 years.

The agreement includes raising transfer levies from 4% to 6% and establishing a new lifeboat fund of $38 million (20 million pounds). This pool could be used to help any EFL club that goes into administration.

The funding would support clubs across the Championship, League One and League Two. It could also include dedicated investment to strengthen the wider football pyramid.

The Premier League confirmed in a statement it already commits $3 billion (1.6 billion pounds) every three years to the wider game and communities. The new proposal would significantly increase its financial support for the EFL.

EFL clubs to consider proposal

The EFL will now assess the proposal before presenting it to its member clubs. Those clubs will consider the financial benefits and wider implications of the agreement.

The proposed partnership would also operate within England’s wider football regulatory framework. The Independent Football Regulator has backstop powers if the leagues fail to reach an acceptable financial settlement.

The latest vote marks significant progress towards a new agreement between the Premier League and EFL. However, it does not complete the process.

Attention turns to final agreement

Negotiations over increased financial support for the EFL have continued for several years. The issue gained further importance after the financial difficulties clubs faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Premier League’s unanimous approval now shifts attention to the EFL and its member clubs. Discussions on a deal have been continuing as far back as 2021. It is critical that a deal is reached soon for English football.

Both sides must still agree on the final terms of the partnership. The process will determine how future funding reaches clubs and supports the wider English football pyramid.

For the EFL, the proposal offers the prospect of greater financial support. For the Premier League, it represents a major step towards a long-term settlement with the professional game below the top flight.

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