Chelsea Kit Main Sponsor Talks with Riyadh Air Fail
Jun 12, 2024, by Chris
- Riyadh Air Deal Fails: Negotiations between Chelsea and Riyadh Air for a front-of-shirt sponsorship fell through due to disagreements on financial terms.
- Infinite Athlete Likely Stays: Infinite Athlete is expected to remain Chelsea's main sponsor for the 2024-25 season with their existing £43 million deal.
- High Sponsorship Demands: Chelsea is seeking £50 million annually for front-of-shirt sponsorship and £15 million for sleeve sponsorship.
Chelsea's negotiations with Riyadh Air for a lucrative front-of-shirt sponsorship deal have come to an impasse. This is reported by sponsorship insider Łukasz Bączek (@Lu_Class_) today.
Despite several rounds of discussions, the Saudi carrier and the London club could not agree on the financial terms, which led to the talks breaking down.
Infinite Athlete Most Likely to Remain Chelsea Sponsor For 24-25 Season
We likely will again see the Infinite Athlete logo on Chelsea's kits in the 2024-2025 season.
As of now, Infinite Athlete remains the most likely candidate to continue as Chelsea's front-of-shirt sponsor for the upcoming 2024-25 season, maintaining the current £43 million-a-year agreement. This decision, however, is seen as a short-term solution, potentially paving the way for future discussions with Riyadh Air from the 25-26 season.
Chelsea Has High Financial Expectations
Chelsea's expectations for sponsorship deals have been a significant barrier. The club is seeking £50 million annually for front-of-shirt sponsorship and an additional £15 million for sleeve sponsorship.
Future Possibilities with Riyadh Air
There is still potential for future collaboration. If Chelsea achieves a period of stability and sporting success, talks with Riyadh Air could resume in 2025 when the Saudi airline begins commercial operations. At that point, Riyadh Air may seek to enter the Premier League market aggressively, especially since all the other Big Six clubs have secured long-term sponsorship deals.
In the interim, Riyadh Air could become Chelsea's official global airline partner, filling a role similar to that previously held by Oman Air. This partnership would allow both parties to build a relationship without committing to the substantial front-of-shirt sponsorship immediately.
Chelsea's 24-25 kits were produced without a main sponsor. Any sponsor logo must be added afterward.
What are your thoughts on Chelsea's sponsorship situation? Do you think the club will manage to secure a better deal in the future? Let us know in the comments below.
Match Debut? Kylian Mbappé Back in On Boots Ahead of France vs Turkey
Kylian Mbappé has once again trained in prototype On football boots during France's camp ahead of their UEFA Nations League fixture against Turkey. Following the conclusion of his long-standing partnership with Nike and his high-profile move to the Swiss brand, the French forward has tested On LightSpray prototype cleats in training sessions. Despite testing the new boots behind the scenes and in training, Mbappé wore disguised, unbranded whiteout Nike Mercurial Superfly cleats for the first competitive match against Atlético, leaving his boot choice for the clash with Turkey as one of the key gear storylines to watch.
Official: Santos Announce Adidas Kit Deal From 2028
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Electrifying: Adidas Pokémon Megaride F50 "Pikachu" Shoes Released
As part of the Pokémon 30th anniversary collection, Adidas Originals has released an eye-catching hybrid sneaker that blends football heritage with retro running technology: the Pokémon x Adidas Megaride F50 "Pikachu". Merging the streamlined upper design inspired by the iconic 2004 F50 football boot with the open-tunnel bounce system of the 2000s Megaride runner, the pair pays direct homage to the franchise's most famous Electric-type Pokémon.
The sneaker features a predominantly black and dark carbon base energized by vibrant yellow accents. Striking yellow lightning bolt graphics surge across the upper with 3D haptic detailing, complemented by three sleek yellow stripes along the forefoot. At the rear, an embroidered Pikachu graphic sits on the heel counter just above a translucent yellow TPU plate, which flows smoothly into the distinctive yellow-accented Megaride cushioning pods.
Finished with collaborative Pokémon tongue badges and themed insoles, the Pokémon x Adidas Megaride F50 "Pikachu" officially dropped on September 24, 2026, with a retail price of $200. It is available through Adidas CONFIRMED and select retailers alongside other models from the milestone capsule.
Adidas Germany 2026 Farewell Kit Debuted on Pitch
Germany officially debuted their special edition Adidas farewell kit during their UEFA Nations League clash against the Netherlands. The release marks the final chapter of a legendary 72-year partnership between the German Football Association (DFB) and the Three Stripes, which began in 1954 and will officially come to an end on December 31, 2026, ahead of Nike taking over as technical supplier from 2027.
The tribute shirt features an elegant, predominantly black base decorated with vertical gold diamond pinstripes running down the front. Adidas has opted for the heritage Trefoil logo on the right chest alongside the classic DFB crest used between 1978 and 1996, both rendered in white. A retro-inspired crossover V-neck collar is trimmed in white and gold, mirrored on the sleeve cuffs, while a commemorative "1954" jock tag sits on the bottom hem to honor the historic year the partnership began.
Completed with black shorts and black socks featuring gold detailing, the on-pitch ensemble arrived just days after its official unveiling. Following its high-profile match debut, the Germany 2026 farewell jersey is scheduled to go on general sale via official Adidas channels starting September 26, 2026.
Nike Phantom 6 Haaland Chapter 5 Boots Revealed - Reactive Nike Hydra Upper
Through its partner stores, Nike has officially revealed Erling Haaland's fifth signature edition, the Nike Phantom 6 Haaland Chapter 5 from his Force of Nature collection. Finished in a Baltic Blue colorway with cloud-inspired graphics across the rear, the low-cut boot introduces Nike's Hydra treatment, which uses reactive white ink that vanishes when wet to uncover additional details of the graphic beneath. Engineered for lethal finishing in the 26-27 season, the boot combines a Gripknit upper with a Cyclone 360 soleplate and is scheduled to launch on October 1, 2026. Huge thanks to Pro Direct and Unisportsore for images and the video.
