Barcelona Announces Record-Breaking Rakuten Shirt Sponsorship Deal
Nov 16, 2016, by Pat
It was just officially announced that Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce company, will become the new Barcelona jersey sponsor from the start of the 2017-18 season in a deal worth at least €220m over four years.
Rakuten Becomes Barcelona Jersey Sponsor
This is how Rakuten's logo could look like on the front of the Barcelona kit.
Rakuten replaced Qatar Airways, which has been Barcelona's shirt sponsor since the 2013-14 season, and will be visible on the front of the Barcelona jerseys from the start of the 2017-18 season until the end of the 2020-21 season.
The sponsorship agreement between FC Barcelona and Rakuten is worth at least €55m per season, with bonuses of €5m and €1.5m respectively for each Champions League and La Liga trophy won during that period.
This sum puts the new sponsorship deal between Rakuten and Barcelona on par with Manchester United's Chevrolet kit deal, worth £47m per season.
Josep Maria Bartomeu, President of FC Barcelona: "We are delighted with our agreement with Rakuten, a global brand in innovation whose experience and know-how in the fields of big data, communications and e-commerce will contribute to the future success of FC Barcelona”.
Hiroshi Mikitani, Chairman and CEO of Rakuten Inc.: “I am very excited about joining the Barça community as I have personally followed the team for decades and have long admired their unique playing style and professionalism, their commitment to success and their culture of nurturing young talent – all values we share at Rakuten”.
Are you glad to see Rakuten take the Qatar Airways' place on the front of the Barcelona shirt? Drop us a line below.
Chattanooga Red Wolves Reveal Vibrant Hispanic Heritage Pre-Match Shirt
USL League One club Chattanooga Red Wolves SC have unveiled a striking special-edition warm-up top in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Worn ahead of the club's annual Hispanic Heritage Night celebrations, the design pays homage to the rich cultural contributions and traditions of the Hispanic and Latino communities within the local area and across the sport.
Set against an off-white base, the standout feature of the shirt is a massive howling wolf graphic across the front. The silhouette of the club's emblem is brought to life through intricate Mesoamerican and folk art motifs, filled with vibrant shades of teal, red, yellow, orange, and violet. Matching cultural diamond patterns run down the red side panels, while the sleeve cuffs are detailed with horizontal sequences representing various Latin American flags.
The reverse side continues the celebratory theme with a sun wheel and mythological fauna gracing the upper back. Centered below is the club's rallying cry, "DALE LOBOS," printed in a bold red textured font and framed by geometric borders.
US Cremonese 26-27 Third Kit Released
Italian club US Cremonese and technical sponsor Acerbis have officially unveiled their new third kit for the 2026-27 campaign. Designed by Cremona native Carlo Enrico Bonvicini, the jersey is built around a deep navy base enhanced by an alternating pattern of glossy and matte tonal pinstripes for subtle depth.
Elegant golden trim outlines the classic polo collar and sleeve cuffs, complemented by monochrome gold sponsor branding and a reimagined two-tone club crest that references 1980s and 1990s iconography alongside the historical Giovanni Baldesio legend.
