Hero Indian Super League (ISL) winners Mumbai City FC are set to amplify a new global partnership between City Football Group – whose clubs include English Premier League champions Manchester City – and Expo 2020 Dubai.
The collaboration will see the first World Expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region become an Official Partner of Mumbai City FC during the 2021-22 ISL season, expected to start later this year in addition to Official Exhibition Partner of Manchester City.
Running from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, Expo 2020 Dubai will be an unmissable global experience, bringing together people, communities, and more than 190 nations to inspire action and deliver real-life solutions to real-life challenges. With this partnership, City Football Group will be able to harness knowledge from world-leading initiatives to expand on its values of innovation, sustainability, and driving social change through football.
The collaboration will include local activations with a number of City’s other sister clubs, including New York City FC, Melbourne City FC, and Yokohama F. Marinos, highlighting the global character of Expo 2020 and its players as the varied, multicultural population of the UAE.
Shedding light on the association, Roel de Vries, City Football Group’s Group Chief Operating Officer, said: “At Manchester City, we are constantly striving to find the best solutions to achieve success, whether that’s on the pitch or everything we do beyond that to engage with our global fanbase, operate in a sustainable way and help to support our communities. Partnering with Expo 2020 and exploring its wealth of expertise will provide a fantastic opportunity for the Club to develop its knowledge across many areas.
“We are also looking forward to unveiling a Manchester City presence at the Expo where we will showcase on a global stage how the Club is leading the way in the football industry.”
“It is also great to see Mumbai City FC being chosen as a marketing platform for Expo 2020 to reach fans in the region, as well as supporting Mumbai City’s maiden AFC Champions League campaign.”
Sholto Douglas-Home, Chief Sales & MarComms Officer, Expo 2020 Dubai, said: “Both Expo 2020 and City Football Group are passionate about bringing people together to create meaningful change in important areas, such as youth empowerment, gender equality and inclusion, as well as the use of technology for good.
“As Manchester City’s Official Exhibition Partner and Mumbai City FC’s Official Partner, we are excited to see how the powerful, universal language of football can inspire millions around the globe to be part of a truly exceptional World Expo and a historic milestone for our vast region.
“This partnership is an exciting addition to Expo 2020’s involvement with a number of leading sports across the globe, including our official sponsorship of Formula 1 and Indian Premier League team Rajasthan Royals – with more sporting collaborations to be announced soon.”
Expo 2020 will welcome more than 200 participants and millions of people from across the globe to Dubai and the UAE. Across 182 visually striking, intellectually enlightening, and emotionally inspiring days, visitors will experience a dynamic and diverse program, including architecture, innovation, culture, art, food, music, and sport from every corner of the planet.
City Football Group currently provides advisory services to Mumbai City FC and has agreed to acquire a majority investment in Mumbai City FC. The purchase is awaiting final approvals.
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