Marketing & Sponsorship

West Bromwich renew sponsorship ties with Ideal Heating for three years

The English Football League (EFL) Championship team, West Bromwich Albion have announced a sponsorship extension with the leading UK manufacturer of combi, system and heat-only boilers, Ideal Heating.

Following the deal, the brand will continue to remain the principal sponsor of the team for an additional three years, taking its tenure as sponsor to a record-breaking ninth season.

In this deal, Albion men, women, and all youth age groups will have the Ideal Heating emblem on their shirts.

Ideal Heating has shown constant support for Albion both on and off the pitch throughout its six-year sponsorship, customising its emblem to honour the club’s illustrious blue-and-white colours.

Moreover, Ideal Heating has a history of dependability, creativity, and customer-focused thinking. The Hull-based company is going through a significant metamorphosis as it develops green heating solutions to help the UK achieve net zero emissions.

The shift to low-carbon heating solutions, particularly heat pumps, is the most significant change in the industry since the 1930s.

West Bromwich Albion Managing Director, Mark Miles, said, “We are delighted Ideal Heating will be continuing its partnership with the club. Their commitment to excellence aligns seamlessly with our values, and we are eager to continue on this exciting journey together. Ideal Heating have been an incredibly supportive and loyal partner to the club, and we will continue to support the company in its contribution to an eco-friendly future for all. We are delighted the Ideal Heating branding will now feature on the shirts of all club teams – which aligns perfectly with our one club, one badge ethos.”

Shaun Edwards, CEO at Groupe Atlantic, said, “We are thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership with West Bromwich Albion FC, a team synonymous with passion, dedication, and community spirit. Over the years, this collaboration goes beyond the realm of sports, reaching into the heart of the local community and embodying the core values of both Ideal Heating and West Bromwich Albion FC.

“I am proud to say, for the first time, our agreement includes branding across all kits, the men’s, women’s, and academy teams. As we announce this extension, we’re excited to continue the legacy as the club’s longest-standing front-of-shirt sponsor, showcasing our steadfast commitment to excellence as we enter a new era of heating solutions.”

Ideal Heating is committed to offering a dependable, affordable product line as well as exceptional customer service to all of its installers and customers.

Marketing & Sponsorship

AB InBev Named Official Beer Sponsor Of The FIFA Club World Cup 2025

FIFA has extended its partnership with AB InBev as the official beer sponsor of the upcoming 2025 FIFA Club World Cup from June 15 to July 13.

AB InBev is also a sponsor of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the brewer noted.

The brands Budweiser and Michelob Ultra will lead the partnership, complemented by local brands in select markets.

‘New Global Tournament’
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said, “AB InBev has been an iconic sponsor of our events for almost 40 years. Today, we are delighted to welcome them as a partner of the new FIFA Club World Cup.

“We are at the beginning of a journey that will redefine club football and bring a new global tournament to life. With AB InBev’s brands by our side, we can create unforgettable moments for football fans around the world.”

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will see the participation of 32 of the world’s best football clubs for a month-long tournament across 11 host cities.

‘Multifaceted Sponsorship’
As part of the multifaceted sponsorship, AB InBev will create unique brand experiences in participating countries, present the “Superior Player of the Match Award” and amplify memorable moments from the tournament.

“Our brands are at the heart of the world’s most meaningful cultural moments and iconic sporting events,” said CEO of AB InBev, Michel Doukeris.

“Our partnership with the FIFA Club World Cup continues this tradition by bringing beer and sport together for fans around the world, creating more moments of togetherness and conviviality. We look forward to activating this unique tournament with FIFA next summer.”

ESM Magazine

Marketing & Sponsorship

Man City Lose Landmark Premier League Sponsorship Vote As Clubs Turn Against Champions

Premier League clubs have approved changes to the league’s Associated Party Transactions (APT) rules in a bitter blow to Manchester City.

City challenged the APT rules, which assess whether deals between clubs and entities linked to their ownership represent fair market value, on competition law grounds earlier this year.

An arbitration panel found aspects of them unlawful, which City insist makes the entire set of rules “void” until the panel provides further guidance.

Despite this, the vote to update the league’s rules on APTs was held regardless, and needed to be backed by 14 of the 20 clubs to pass. City had hoped that they were on course for victory having received high-profile backing from Aston Villa in the run-up to the decision.

However Villa’s public endorsement of City’s cause and calls for the vote to be pushed back by 90 days has not proven to be enough, with as many as 16 clubs believed to be in favour of the changes.

A Premier League statement read: “The amendments to the rules address the findings of an Arbitration Tribunal following a legal challenge by Manchester City to the APT system earlier this year.

“The Premier League has conducted a detailed consultation with clubs – informed by multiple opinions from expert, independent Leading Counsel – to draft rule changes that address amendments required to the system.

“This relates to integrating the assessment of Shareholder loans, the removal of some of the amendments made to APT rules earlier this year and changes to the process by which relevant information from the League’s ‘databank’ is shared with a club’s advisors.

“The purpose of the APT rules is to ensure clubs are not able to benefit from commercial deals or reductions in costs that are not at Fair Market Value (FMV) by virtue of relationships with Associated Parties. These rules were introduced to provide a robust mechanism to safeguard the financial stability, integrity and competitive balance of the League.”

The Premier League champions had believe the changes to be “unlawful”, having initially brought the legal challenge in June when the Premier League rejected their claim that a new deal between the club and shirt and stadium sponsors Etihad Airways had been at a fair market price.

Villa had been particularly vocal on the issue in recent weeks, with club chairman Nassef Sawiris writing to the other 19 clubs to urge caution and call for a delay to the vote.

In statement to the Daily Telegraph, Sawiris said: “In our view, a vote in 90 days on amended terms taking into consideration the tribunal’s findings will have a significantly greater chance of securing the unanimous support of all 20 Premier League clubs.”

Marketing & Sponsorship

FIFA Announces Multi-Year Agreement With Rock-it Cargo

FIFA has selected Rock-it Cargo, a Global Critical Logistics (GCL) company, as the Official Logistics Provider of the FIFA World Cup 26™ – the game-changing edition of the tournament set to take place across 16 Host Cities in Canada, Mexico and the USA from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

“In Rock-it Cargo we have found the perfect partner to entrust with the critical logistics services for the biggest FIFA World Cup ever.”

Rock-it Cargo will help FIFA create history, providing multi-year planning, management and event-logistics services as the FIFA World Cup™ expands to 48 teams and 104 matches across three countries and 16 Host Cities in 2026.

Appointed following a highly competitive request-for-proposal process, Rock-it Cargo demonstrated exceptional experience in planning and delivering event logistics to the world’s most complex and high-profile sporting and entertainment events.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström said: “In Rock-it Cargo we have found the perfect partner to entrust with the critical logistics services for the biggest FIFA World Cup ever. We’ve been impressed by Rock-it Cargo’s experience and attention to detail, teamwork and passion to deliver operational excellence. Their global model fits perfectly with our extensive ambitions for the tournament.”

As the Official Logistics Provider of the FIFA World Cup 26, Rock-it Cargo will provide planning, management and event-logistics services, including with regard to customs and international freight forwarding, warehouse and distribution operations, on-site venue operations at the International Broadcast Centre and team equipment operations.

The multi-year partnership will begin in 2025, with Rock-it Cargo providing selected services for the new FIFA Club World Cup™ to be hosted across 12 stadiums in 11 different cities in June and July next year. The partnership will expand in scope to include a broader range of services for the FIFA World Cup a year later, with Rock-it Cargo also taking up a position as a Tournament Supporter for the game-changing global event.

President and CEO of GCL, the parent company of Rock-it Cargo, Daniel Rosenthal said: “We are deeply honoured to have been selected by FIFA to support the planning and delivery of the biggest FIFA World Cup ever. For nearly 50 years our team has been trusted by the world’s biggest artists and North American sports leagues to deliver extraordinary experiences through extensive planning, contingency management and outstanding event coordination. We look forward to drawing on our experience in the FIFA World Cup 26 stadiums and Host Cities to help successfully execute the 39-day tournament.”

Beyond its direct relationship with FIFA, Rock-it Cargo’s status as FIFA’s Official Logistics Provider – combined with its deep North American operational and customs experience, centralised warehouse infrastructure and last-mile ownership – will enable a more efficient and sustainable logistics service to be provided to FIFA’s partners, vendors, broadcasters and other stakeholders.