This article contains information regarding the organisations enjoying a strong branding presence across the Asian Football Confederation’s (AFC) physical and digital assets as its sponsors and partners.
Official Global Partners
Continental
German multinational automotive parts manufacturing company, Continental is the world’s third-largest automotive supplier and the fourth-largest tire 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 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 and the AFC last signed a partnership extension deal in 2021, with the multi-year deal set to run until the end of the 2021-2024 cycle.
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 new five-year extension deal until 2029.
Under the terms of the arrangement, NEOM will continue to serve as the Official Global Partner of the AFC national team and club competitions, as well as be the Presenting Partner of the first pan-Asian AFC Women’s Champions League.
The agreement also signifies NEOM and the AFC’s drive to promote inclusivity in sport and the positive steps both organisations are making to support and amplify women’s football across Asia.
As part of the agreement, the newly introduced AFC Champions League Elite Finals will also see NEOM as the Official Global Presenting Partner of the eight final matches being played in Riyadh in 2025. NEOM will also be the Presenting Partner of the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League, promoting the top 12 women’s clubs from across Asia.
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 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Qatar Airways Group signed a global partnership agreement until the end of 2029. The package of rights includes key competitions such as the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024, AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024, 2026 and 2028, as well as all AFC youth national team competitions during the period.
Qatar Airways’ sponsorship also includes all matches of the AFC Champions League 2023/24 Knockout Stage and three eagerly-anticipated new AFC flagship club competitions which will take place from the 2024/25 season onwards: the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Women’s Champions League and the AFC Champions League 2.
As part of the collaboration, Qatar Airways will work with the AFC to introduce exciting travel packages to global 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 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced its partnership with dairy giant Yili for the 2021 to 2024 rights cycle.
Following the deal, Yili became first Official Global Partner of the AFC national team competitions from China PR and will be the exclusive sponsor in the dairy products category, the water category, and other selected beverage categories.
Official Global Supporters
Tecno
International technology brand TECNO and the AFC announced a global partnership deal in August 2024 that will see TECNO become an Official Global Supporter of the AFC’s newly revamped and highly anticipated club competitions, the AFC Champions League Elite, the AFC Women’s Champions League, and the AFC Champions League Two for the 2024-2025 season.
In the past, through its sponsorship of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), TECNO created a lasting impact with a series of campaigns that made matches available to the entire football community in Africa by creating unique viewing experiences, in addition to making football accessible to more remote African communities by committing to renovating 100 football fields across Africa over the next five years.
Through its partnership with AFC, TECNO will continue to elevate and innovate to deliver similar unforgettable experiences in Asia and inspire football fans to champion its “Stop at Nothing” spirit together to create more and build a better future together.
Visit Saudi
Visit Saudi, an official promoter of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Tourism, signed a partnership agreement with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in October 2023 to become an official global partner until December 2024.
The partnership will bolster Visit Saudi’s efforts to showcase Saudi Arabia’s growing tourism offerings to Asian football fans across the globe, in addition to supporting the growth of football and sports across the Kingdom.
The agreement encompasses major AFC National Team competitions, including but not limited to Asia’s flagship National Team competition – the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 – as well as the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024, the AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Final Round) for Paris 2024, the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2024, the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup 2024, and AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024.
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