Manchester City looks to the future with kit sleeve sponsor

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Manchester City & OKX
Image credit: Manchester City

English Premier League titan Manchester City has signed a new multi-year sleeve sponsorship with leading crypto exchange OKX.

The deal is an expansion of a pre-existing one that began in March 2022. Since then, the partnership has evolved to include OKX’s brand featuring on the left sleeve of both city’s men’s and women’s first teams, as well as being the club’s Official Training Kit Partner for the 2022/23 season.

The new deal will also allow for OKX to be appear across some of the clubs other digital and physical club assets.

OKX is one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges by trading volume and is one of Web3’s leading technology companies. It offers numerous financial services in the cryosphere including the trading of tokens, the buying and selling of NFTs, and the managing of crypto portfolios for their customers.

Ferran Soriano, CEO at City Football Group, expressed their excitement with the new deal highlighting the opportunity partnering with OKX and Web3 will have for City’s global fan engagement.

“We are very proud to have OKX represented on the sleeve of the Manchester City shirt. Both OKX and Manchester City are leading companies driven by a passion for innovation,” he said via press release.

“We have already seen great Web3 experiences designed by OKX for Manchester City’s global fan base and there will be many more to come. This is a very exciting partnership.”

Haider Rafique, CMO at OKX, also expressed their pleasure with the deal’s expansion.

“The journey with the Man City team has been incredible,” he said via press release.

“Manchester City was our first official global brand partnership and in just a year and a half we have come a long way.

“We always intended to integrate with the sport and help the Club lead on leaning into Web3. Fast forward 15 months, we now have a metaverse, an NFT initiative and a number of other new projects that we are excited about.

“The sleeve partnership brings us closer to City fans across the globe, and we look forward to collaborating to create unique, exciting and innovative engagements through Web3 technology.

“As the Club’s Official Cryptocurrency Exchange Partner, fans can expect amazing things every time they interact with OKX.”

This new deal and its expansion are a great opportunity for the global club to connect with their worldwide fan base. Likewise, it also offers fans a great way to engage with the Manchester based club from the over 180 regions were OKX operates.

This partnership seems a perfect one for the modern club as it shows their commitment to not only engaging with its global fan base but also helping those fans participate in one of finances fastest growing and exciting sectors.

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Chelsea FC Partners with Ticketmaster on Digital Ticketing Strategy

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Image Credit: Chelsea FC website

Chelsea FC has secured a multi-year partnership with Ticketmaster, appointing the global ticketing company as its Official Ticketing Partner.

This agreement marks a significant operational shift, with Chelsea set to introduce a digital-first ticketing system for the 2025/26 season, designed to simplify access, enhance security, and combat ticket resale fraud.

This collaboration marks a significant upgrade to Chelsea’s matchday operations, aligning the club with world-class ticketing infrastructure already used by leading sports venues globally.

Starting with the 2025/26 season, digital tickets will replace physical tickets for all fixtures at Stamford Bridge, providing fans with a more efficient and secure access system. This move also aims to tackle ticket touting, a persistent issue in top-tier football, by leveraging Ticketmaster’s secure and traceable digital delivery platform.

Teaming up will grant Chelsea access to Ticketmaster’s suite of tools, including:

  • Seamless mobile ticket delivery
  • Anti-touting features
  • Scalable event ticketing for high-demand matches
  • Real-time ticket validation and fan data insights

Chelsea FC’s Chief Revenue Officer, Casper Stylsvig, reflected on the importance of the club’s new partnership with Ticketmaster.

“Partnering with a leading force in the industry brings significant value to our operations, ensuring we offer our fans a smoother, safer experience with best-in-class products, while continuing to address the issue of ticket touts,” he said via press release.

As one of the most recognised football brands globally, Chelsea’s shift to Ticketmaster’s platform underscores the club’s commitment to modernising fan engagement and match day experiences.

Managing Director at Ticketmaster Sport, Chris Gratton, shared his enthusiasm about the new partnership with Chelsea FC.

“Chelsea FC is one of the biggest clubs in football, and we’re excited to be part of their journey. Our goal is to make ticketing as simple as possible for fans,” he said via press release.

This move reflects a wider trend in the industry towards contactless, mobile-first stadium entry, which has become increasingly common in Premier League and UEFA competitions, especially after the accelerated adoption of digital solutions during the COVID era.

The alliance between Chelsea FC and Ticketmaster signals a new era for the club, introducing leading technology and expertise to elevate the match day experience for fans.

New initiatives advancing girls’ and women’s football participation

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Image credit: Adelaide United FC

A Government program designed to increase female participation in sports will provide almost 50 clubs and organisations with support to upgrade and develop sporting facilities, programs and equipment.

Around $5.4 million has been allocated for the 2024-25 round of The Power of Her – Infrastructure and Participation Program (IPP), which aims to create more inclusive spaces for girls and women in sports.

The funded projects include things like unisex clubrooms, better lighting and playing surfaces, new uniforms and equipment, and opportunities for professional development.

The South Australian Government led by Peter Malinauskas launched the program to build on the success of the Matildas and the legacy of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

To support the growth of girls’ and women’s football, 14 football clubs will receive nearly $2.4 million in funding this round.

Other sports also benefit from the program, such as basketball, cricket, hockey, netball, gymnastics, and Australian Rules Football, providing more chances for girls and women to get involved and succeed in their chosen sports.

For example, Norwood Basketball Club is receiving $14,600 to launch their ‘Rising Flames’ program, helping girls progress to elite senior levels and develop local talent.

Other projects funded through the program include:

  • Metro United Women’s Football Club, Pooraka: $25,000 for new uniforms.
  • Booleroo Centre Tennis Club: $80,000 to resurface three tennis courts, replace fencing, and build a new equipment shed for their drought-affected club.
  • Cove Netball Hub: $392,700 to build four new netball courts in Hallett Cove.
  • Elizabeth Grove Soccer Club: $750,000 (through the council) for a new clubroom, synthetic soccer pitch, and multi-purpose oval at Munno Para Regional Sportsground, Davoren Park.

So far, over $7.6 million has been distributed through the IPP, with the second year providing more than twice the amount of support compared to the first round.

Nearly half of the infrastructure project recipients this round – including Jervois Bluds Netball Club and Murraylands Gymnastics Academy – are located in regional and greater metropolitan areas, showing the broad impact on communities across South Australia.

The State Government has committed $18 million to the IPP over three years, with $10 million specifically set aside for football.

This effort is part of a wider push to eliminate barriers to female participation, including support for clubs with period products and menstrual health training.

South Australian Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing Emily MLC Bourke highlighted the importance of supporting women in sport at a grassroots level.

“Our Government recognises the importance of supporting grassroots sports to ensure girls and women have opportunities to thrive in whichever sport they pursue,” she said in a press release.

“Having the right facilities, programs and equipment in place gives girls and women the space and confidence they need to get involved and stay active with their local club.

“As The Power of Her investment continues to grow, it’s inspiring to see clubs and organisations finding new and creative ways to grow female participation and facilitate high performance pathways in their communities.”

For more information, you can find the full list of 2024-2025 IPP grants here.

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