Rahul SahaThis article contains information regarding the organisations serving as official sponsors and partners to the English Football League (EFL) during its 2023/24 season.
Also read: Premier League Sponsors 2023/24
Sky Bet
Headquartered in Leeds, British-based gambling company Sky Bet has served as the title sponsor to all three tiers of the EFL since the 2013/14 season, which are thusly called the Sky Bet Championship, the Sky Bet League One, and the Sky Bet League Two.
In June 2023, following a decade-long association, Sky Bet announced that it had signed a record five-year contract extension agreement with the English Football League that would run until the end of the 2028/29 season. As per the deal, the league is to receive a 50% increase in revenue.
The current deal also entails Sky Bet investing £1 million per season and £6 million in total into a Community Fund held by the EFL, which is to be invested into communities across England and Wales where the EFL clubs are located. The two parties have also pledged to use the funding to deliver activity via the EFL Trust and the network of Club Community Organisations (CCOs), with the initiatives in focus to be mutually agreed by the organisations.
British Red Cross
The British Red Cross Society, the UK body of the worldwide neutral and impartial humanitarian network, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, announced the signing of a partnership agreement with the EFL in May 2022.
EA Sports FC
EA Sports joined the English Football League sponsorship portfolio in August 2017 on an initial six-year deal, becoming in the process the first-ever official sponsor of the EFL’s iFollow streaming platform.
As per the agreement, EA Sports also enjoys a strong branding presence across the three EFL tiers, which are in turn featured fully-licensed in EA’s football simulation video game series, EA Sports FC (formerly EA Sports FIFA).
In April 2024, the two parties announced a partnership renewal, which entails their deal running until the end of the 2028/29 season.
eBay
American multinational e-commerce company eBay announced signing a three-year partnership agreement with the EFL ahead of the 2021/22 season in August 2021.
As per the deal, the parties launched the “Small Businesses United” initiative, via which eBay donates advertising space at EFL grounds to small local businesses.
Football Manager
Japanese video game developer Sega’s flagship football management simulation video game series Football Manager (FM) also serves as an official sponsor to the EFL.
Sega’s partnership with the EFL grants the video game company licence to feature all three EFL tiers and their clubs in FM.
In September 2023, Sega and the EFL announced a one-year contract extension agreement, ensuring that all EFL tiers and clubs feature fully-licensed in Football Manager 2024.
Jameson
Jameson, a blended Irish whiskey produced by Irish Distillers subsidiary Pernod Ricard, partnered up with the EFL in June 2023, penning a four-year deal to become the league’s official whiskey partner.
As an Official Partner of the EFL, Jameson enjoys a strong presence at the home grounds of all 72 League clubs, including Wembley Stadium for the five EFL finals. Jameson also has a presence across the official EFL website as well as its digital and social media assets.
Kellogg’s
American multinational food manufacturing company Kellogg’s was announced as an official EFL partner in June 2023.
As an official EFL partner, Kellogg’s enjoys branding rights across the three EFL divisions as well as its five Wembley finals. It also works with the EFL’s charitable arm, the EFL Trust, in accordance with the agreement set to run until the end of the 2027/28 season.
Puma
German multinational athletic footwear and apparel corporation Puma became the official match ball supplier to the EFL after signing a three-year partnership agreement in June 2021.
As per reports, the two parties signed a contract extension agreement in June 2023, with Puma set to provide official match balls for all EFL competitions until the end of the 2026/27 session.
Smart Energy
The EFL and EFL Trust have had a partnership deal in place with this British company since 2021. More recently, in May 2023, the EFL and Smart Energy signed a new two-year extension agreement, the latter thusly set to remain an official EFL partner until the end of the 2024/25 season.
Through the EFL’s partnership with Smart Energy, the EFL Trust and Foundation of Light, the official charity of Sunderland AFC, aim to help football fans understand their energy use through smart metres and in-home displays.
Utilita Energy
Utilita Energy, an electricity and gas retailer operating in the UK, has been serving as the Official Title Sponsor to the Kids Cup and Girls Cup competitions since 2019. In June 2023, this partnership was extended for a further four years.
The Utilita Kids Cup and the Utilita Girls Cup see over 22,000 schoolchildren nationwide take part each year with the aim of representing their local EFL club as they battle for the opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium.
