This article contains information regarding the organisations enjoying a strong branding presence across the assets of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), the official football-governing body of Asia, as its official sponsors and partners.
Official Global Partners
Continental
Continental, a German multinational automotive parts manufacturing company, is the world’s third-largest automotive supplier and the fourth-largest tyre manufacturer. Continental Tires has been an exclusive partner of the AFC and Asian football since 2015.
Continental and the AFC last renewed their deal in December 2020, with the German manufacturer retaining its title as an official global partner of the latter until the end of 2024.
Credit Saison
Founded in 1951, Credit Saison is a Japanese financial services company affiliated to Mizuho Financial Group. It is the third-largest credit card issuer in the country.
A long-time partner of the AFC, Credit Saison last signed a partnership extension agreement with the Asian governing body in 2021—a multi-year deal set to run until the end of 2024.
Neom
Neom, an urban area being built by Saudi Arabia in Tabuk, serves as an official global partner to the AFC.
In July 2024, Neom and the AFC signed a five-year extension agreement set to run until 2029.
Under the terms of the current deal, Neom is to act as the Official Global Partner of the AFC national team and club competitions and the Presenting Partner of the AFC Women’s Champions League. The agreement also signifies the two parties’ aim of promoting inclusivity in sports.
For this season, the AFC Champions League Elite Finals will have Neom as the Official Global Presenting Partner of the eight final matches to be played in Riyadh in 2025.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways is the flag carrier of Qatar. Headquartered in the Qatar Airways Tower in Doha, the airline operates a hub-and-spoke network, flying to over 170 international destinations across five continents from its base at the Hamad International Airport.
In December 2023, the AFC and Qatar Airways Group signed a global partnership agreement set to run until the end of 2029. The package of rights includes key competitions, such as the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia, the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar, the AFC Futsal Asian Cups of 2024, 2026 and 2028, and all AFC youth national team competitions.
The sponsorship also includes all matches of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League Knockout Stage and three new AFC club competitions from the 2024/25 season onwards: the AFC Champions League Elite, the AFC Women’s Champions League, and the AFC Champions League Two.
Additionally, Qatar Airways works with the AFC to offer travel packages to football fans.
Yili Group
Yili Group is a Chinese dairy products producer headquartered in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. It is one of the largest dairy producers in the world.
In July 2021, the AFC announced its partnership with Yili for the 2021–2024 rights cycle. Yili thus became first Official Global Partner of the AFC national team competitions from China, acting as the exclusive sponsor in the dairy products, water, and other selected beverage categories.
Also read: AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 Sponsors
Official Global Supporters
Tecno
International technology brand Tecno and the AFC announced a global partnership in August 2024, which made the former an Official Global Supporter of the AFC Champions League Elite, the AFC Women’s Champions League, and the AFC Champions League Two for the 2024/25 season.
Through its partnership with the AFC, Tecno aims to deliver unique experiences in Asia and inspire football fans to champion its “Stop at Nothing” spirit together.
Visit Saudi
Visit Saudi, the official promoter of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, signed a partnership agreement with the AFC in October 2023 to become an official global partner until December 2024.
The partnership bolsters Visit Saudi’s efforts to showcase Saudi Arabia’s tourism offerings to the Asian football fans in addition to supporting the growth of football and sports across the country.
The agreement covers key AFC national team competitions, including the 2023 AFC Asian Cup Qatar, the 2024 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar, the final round of the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 2024 AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup, the 2024 AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup, and the 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup.
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