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.
VSG Altglienicke 26-27 Home Kit Released
The new VSG Altglienicke 26-27 home kit has been released. It is made by Uhlsport and will be worn in the upcoming Regionalliga Nordost campaign.
Pictures of the new uhlsport design were recently shared online, providing a detailed look at the new shirt for the German fourth-tier side. Interestingly, VSG Altglienicke's official social media accounts have not yet posted about the kit launch.
The team will debut the VSG Altglienicke 26-27 home kit during their pre-season preparations before the competitive matches begin.
SC Kriens 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
Swiss club SC Kriens has officially unveiled its new home and away kits for the 26-27 season. Produced by Erima, the new shirts will be worn as the team makes its return to the Swiss Challenge League following their recent promotion.
The Erima SC Kriens 26-27 home and away strips feature clean designs tailored for the club's upcoming campaign in the second tier of Swiss football. The new kits embrace the traditional green and white identity of the team, offering a smart look as they prepare for the challenges of the higher division.
Both the home and away SC Kriens 26-27 kits will be worn throughout the year as the club aims to secure its place back in the Challenge League. The new Erima SC Kriens 26-27 jerseys provide a fitting and updated aesthetic for the promoted side.
Adidas Floats Giant 2026 World Cup Final Ball and Trophy Down the Hudson River
Ahead of the 2026 World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, Adidas launched a massive promotional stunt in New York City. The brand sent a giant replica of the FIFA World Cup Trophy alongside an enormous version of the Adidas Trionda Final match ball floating down the Hudson River.
The large inflatables caught the attention of fans and locals as they navigated the waterways near the host city. This activation is part of a series of river-based promotions by Adidas during the tournament, which previously included a giant cutout of Spanish youngster Lamine Yamal earlier in the summer.
The display prominently features the official final match ball, generating excitement before the concluding match. It provided a spectacular photo opportunity with the New York skyline as the backdrop for the climax of the 2026 World Cup.
SC Bastia 26-27 Home & Away Kits Released
French club SC Bastia has officially launched its new 26-27 home and away kits. Made by Adidas, the new Bastia 26-27 shirts are available to purchase online, with in-store availability starting on Monday. The home and away kits feature the traditional club colors of 'Bianch'è Turchinu' (white and blue), keeping a classic look for the upcoming season.
