Etihad Signs As New Man City Sponsor
Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has signed a three-year multi-million pound deal to be the official shirt sponsor and partner of Premier League side, Manchester City FC.
In a further sign of the club’s links with the Middle East following the buyout by billionaire Sheikh Mansour last year, the initial three-year partnership will see Etihad Airways’ brand logo replace incumbent sponsor Thomas Cook on Manchester City shirts from the summer.
As well as appearing on the shirt, the deal will see the Etihad Airways’ logo and branding at the City of Manchester Stadium, as well as on the club website and match day programme and merchandise.
The airline and the club will also work together on several overseas projects including team tours to the UAE and South Africa, as well as community-based schemes in the United Arab Emirates and East Manchester.
The first occasion the Manchester City shirt , bearing the Etihad Airways logo, will be shown will be on 18th July when City take on the Orlando Pirates in Cape Town in the first game of their pre-season tour to South Africa.
Etihad Airways has built up an impressive portfolio of international sponsorship partners including the F1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Ferrari F1 team, and Harlequins rugby club.
The airline was launched in 2003 and now flies to 54 cities around the world. It started daily flights to Manchester in 2006 and last year carried 6m passengers on its international network.
