The airline has sponsored Arsenal’s shirts since the 2006-2007 season
Dubai carrier Emirates has announced one of the biggest sponsorship deals “ever agreed in football” after renewing its agreement with English Premier League club Arsenal.
The deal, described as the largest ever signed by the club, will see Emirates continue its shirt sponsorship of the team for another five years until the 2023-2024 season.
The value of the transaction was not disclosed. Yhe previous 2012 sponsorship deal, lasting until the 2018-2019 season, was worth GBP150m ($240m) at the time.
The airline has sponsored Arsenal’s shirts since the 2006-2007 season and has renewed its naming rights deal for Arsenal’s stadium, known as ‘the Emirates’ until 2028.
On top of the club’s main shirt, the Emirates logo will appear on playing and training kits and the airline will provide the club with access to its planes for pre-season tours.
The airline also retains marketing rights to develop campaigns and initiatives around the world.
“Arsenal’s strong appeal and influence around the globe, combined with their ambitions as a club makes them an ideal partner for Emirates, with values that reflect ours as a brand,” said Emirates president Sir Tim Clark.
“As a long-standing supporter of football, we are passionate about the game and are a proud partner to the team.”
Emirates also sponsors other European football teams, including Spain’s Real Madrid, and golf, tennis, rugby, cricket, horse racing and motorsports events.
Emirates, Arsenal Sign $240m Partnership
The deal grants the Dubai-based airline a five-year extension to its shirt partnership with the football club
The agreement, worth £30 million a year for five years, extends until the end of the 2018/2019 season.
As part of the partnership, Arsenal’s home will continue to be known as Emirates Stadium up to 2028.
The Emirates logo will continue to remain on the front of Arsenal’s playing and training kits and the new agreement also contains a number of marketing rights, which come into effect immediately, to ensure Emirates can engage with Arsenal fans in the UK and abroad, the statement said.
“This is an exciting day for Arsenal Football Club and all our supporters,” said Arsenal CEO Ivan Gazidis.
“The original deal with Emirates was a key facilitator of our move from Highbury and this next phase of our relationship will be just as critical to keep us at the top of the game in England and Europe.
“The fact this partnership will continue for many years to come underlines how much both organisations value and benefit from the relationship,” he said.
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO, Emirates Airline and Group commented: “Arsenal’s strong appeal around the globe and ambitious approach to the game parallel our own approach to business, making them a valuable partner for our brand.
“We continue to see immeasurable value in our global sports sponsorships and our sponsorship with Arsenal is no different. The club has been an important enabler of the growth of our business over the last decade and we are confident this will continue as part of our extended deal,” he said.
As part of the agreement, the Arsenal soccer school in Dubai, which launched in 2010 and has trained around 4,000 students, will also continue. Emirates first signed its sponsorship agreement with Arsenal in 2004, providing the airline with naming rights to the stadium until 2021 and a shirt sponsorship that began in the 2006/2007 season.
Aside from European football club sponsorships, Emirates is also an official partner of the FIFA World Cup and supports golf, horse racing, tennis, rugby, sailing and cricket events worldwide.
