Anshuman JoshiFollowing are the companies and organisations that serve as sponsors and brand partners to Serie A club Internazionale Milano (Inter Milan or simply Inter) and enjoy a strong branding presence across their physical and digital assets.
Nike
Nike has been the official technical partner of Inter since 1998, when it replaced Umbro as the official kit supplier of the Nerazzuri.
When Inter signed a ten-year extension with Nike in 2013, it was assumed to be worth €20m annually, running until June 2024. However, that turned out to not be the case.
In fact, the revenue Nike pays to Inter has been directly dependent on the club’s on-pitch performances, and since Inter were fairly mediocre in the second half of last decade, the projected revenue has been significantly lower than what was projected.
For the 2017-18 season, Nike paid Inter €4.3m. Subsequently, in October 2019, Inter announced they had taken back the retail and licensing rights from Nike, giving them more control on the sales and revenue. The current estimates suggest Nike pays Inter somewhere around €10m annually.
With the deal currently set to end in June 2024, Inter are already rumoured to be in the market for a new kit supplier. Adidas, which left Inter’s arch-rivals AC Milan two years ago, is famously linked with the club.
Socios.com
Inter Milan signed a one-year deal with cryptocurrency-based fan engagement platform Socios.com, which is powered by Gzira, Malta-based blockchain fintech provider Chiliz, in July 2021 to launch their own Fan Token ($INTER). The one-year deal has an option for a three-year extension.
Via Socios.com, Inter offer their fans a chance to obtain Fan Tokens that allow them to participate in several club-oriented activities. These Fan Tokens are limited in number and can be bought, sold or won in an augmented reality in-game.
Socios.com also acquired the front-of-shirt sponsorship rights for Inter’s matchday kits, replacing Pirelli’s historic presence on the front of the Inter shirt. Now, the text “$INTER FAN TOKEN by socios.com” can be seen emblazoned across the Inter kits, promoting their new Fan Token.
Pirelli
Milan-headquartered Italian tyre manufacturing giant Pirelli was the principal sponsor of Inter from 1995 to 2021. It was announced in March 2021 that the Pirelli logo would no longer front the Inter matchday kit. That spot was eventually taken by Socios.com in July 2021.
However, in May 2021, Inter announced that their association with Pirelli would continue despite having bid the shirt sponsorship goodbye. The new deal makes Pirelli Inter’s Global Tyre Partner and runs until the end of the 2023-24 season.
Suning
Privately-held Chinese company Suning Holdings Group acquired a majority stake in Inter for €270 million in 2016. It has enjoyed a formidable branding presence across Inter’s assets ever since.
As part of the takeover, Suning acquired naming rights for Inter’s training ground, which is thusly called Centro Sportivo Suning in memoria di Angelo Moratti (Suning Training Centre in memory of Angelo Moratti).
Suning’s e-commerce site, Suning.com, has a training kit sponsorship deal with Inter since December 2016 worth €16m per year, which sees Suning.com’s logo appear on the front of Inter’s training kits. The two last renewed their deal in July 2020 in an agreement that currently runs through 2022.
DigitalBits
Inter signed a product partnership deal with Zytara Labs in September 2021, making Zytara their Official Global Digital Banking Partner and its blockchain network DigitalBits their Official Global Cryptocurrency. The multi-year agreement is worth €85m.
DigitalBits now serves as the sleeve sponsor for Inter’s matchday kits, covering their men’s, women’s, Primavera and youth teams. Zytara also works with the club to integrate its banking solutions into their official app. The implementation of the DigitalBits blockchain also sees the XDB cryptocurrency become a viable payment option across Inter-authorised stores and venues.
Lenovo
Chinese tech company Lenovo signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Inter in July 2019, becoming their Global Technology Partner.
Apart from branding rights, the deal sees Lenovo supply its products to bolster Inter’s technological resources. The Lenovo logo has also featured on the back of Inter’s training kits.
In July 2021, Inter extended their deal with Lenovo and made the company their back-of-matchday-shirt (below kit number) sponsor.
EA Sports
EA Sports signed an exclusive video game partnership deal with Inter in August 2020 ahead of the release of FIFA 21.
The deal sees EA hold exclusive rights to feature Inter’s licensing, which includes real-life likeness of players, kits and stadium, in its annual FIFA release, meaning Inter do not feature in FIFA’s rival game series, KONAMI’s eFootball.
FIFA’s branding is also part of Inter Milan’s social media content.
Acronis
Swiss tech company Acronis signed a multi-year deal with Inter in July 2019. Apart from branding rights, the deal sees Acronis provide data protection services for Inter’s digital infrastructure.
Volvo
Swedish automotive brand Volvo is an official partner of Inter since 2007. In September 2020, the two renewed their partnership that would see Volvo continue to supply Inter with cars, including its then-new flagship model, the XC90 T8 Plug-in Hybrid.
StarCasinò.sport
In October 2020, Italian sports entertainment platform StarCasinò.sport became the official infotainment partner of Inter. Apart from branding rights, the deal sees StarCasinò.sport work with Inter to create exclusive club-themed content.
Manpower Group
American workforce solutions company Manpower Group is a Regional Partner and the Official HR Partner of Inter. Apart from branding rights, the deal sees the company extend its services to the club.
Partners since 2016, the two last extended their partnership in September 2021.
Snaipay
Snaipay is an Italian platform for resale of value-added services. Its parent company, Snaitech, is headquartered in Milan.
In August 2020, Inter Milan made Snaitech their Official Regional Partner and Snaipay their Value-Added Services Partner. Apart from branding rights, the deal includes hospitality packages and marketing activities.
Locauto Group
Italian car rental service provider Locauto serves as the Official Rent-a-Car Partner to Inter. Apart from branding rights, the deal sees Locauto offer exclusive discounts on its cars to Inter fans and club members. It also supports the club’s “Stop Racism” campaign.
Frecciarossa
The Trenitalia-owned Italian high-speed train serves as the official train of Inter.
Nilox
Sports technology brand Nilox became Inter’s official electric mobility partner in 2017. Apart from branding rights, the deal sees Nilox supply the club’s players with its range of eco-friendly products.
In September 2020, the two parties extended their partnership in a two-year agreement.
A2A Energia
Brescia-based renewable energy, electricity, gas, integrated water supply, and waste management services provider A2A Energia became the official energy partner of Inter in October 2019.
Inter announced the deal jointly alongside AC Milan, who also roped in A2A in the same capacity.
The deal grants A2A branding rights across Inter’s digital and physical assets with an aim to promote renewable energy sources for a sustainable environment.
Gatorade
American isotonic sports drink brand Gatorade is the Official Sports Drink partner of Inter since November 2018. Apart from branding rights, the deal sees Gatorade products made available at San Siro and Inter’s training ground.
The two parties last renewed their partnership in October 2020.
Pop Caffè
The Ragusa-based Italian coffee brand was announced as the Official Coffee Partner of the club in September 2021 on a two-year deal. Apart from branding rights, the deal entails collaboration over “marketing and communications activities”.
La Molisana
Campobasso-based pasta brand La Molisana was announced as the official pasta supplier of Inter in a two-year deal in October 2019. Apart from branding rights, the deal sees La Molisana provide its wide range of Pasta across Inter’s.
The two parties renewed their partnership in August 2021, with La Molisana also becoming a Regional Partner of the club in deal set to run until the end of the 2022-23 season.
Fratelli Beretta
Italian meat processing business Fratelli Beretta serves as an official supplier to Inter since February 2019.
Apart from branding rights, the deal sees Fratelli Beretta’s products made available at San Siro, the home ground for both Inter Milan and AC Milan, with whom Fratelli Beretta has a deal in place as well.
LD Sports
The Shanghai-headquartered Chinese sports content and entertainment platform was announced as the club’s Official Asian Sport Infotainment Partner in January 2021. The deal grants LD Sports virtual LED visibility rights during the Asian broadcast of Inter’s home matches. The two also collaborate over marketing initiatives.
Riello
Headquartered in Legnago, Italian company Riello specialises in heating, air-conditioning and energy efficiency solutions. It was announced as the Official Regional Partner of the club for Mainland China in March 2021.
Kweichow Moutai
The Renhuai-based Chinese baijiu producer has been an official partner of the club since November 2018. Apart from branding rights, the deal sees the two parties collaborate over several fan engagement activities.
In July 2019, the two parties announced they would be producing a co-branded baijiu.
Acqua San Bernardo
The Garessio-based Italian mineral water brand was announced as the club’s official water partner in April 2021 in a deal set to run until the end of the 2021-22 season.
Santa Margherita
The Italian winery was announced as the Official Wine Partner of the club in October 2021.
Gattinoni
Italian travel agency Gattinoni serves as an official supplier to Inter since March 2018. Apart from branding rights, the deal sees Gattinoni provide its services for the club’s travels throughout the season.
Technogym
Cesena-based technological fitness products manufacturer and supplier Technogym is an official supplier of Inter for over 20 years. Apart from branding rights, the deal sees Technogym supply its range of latest products to Inter’s training centre.
Mastercard
Headquartered in Purchase, New York, the American financial services provider has been a partner of the club since June 2018, with the two working together over several projects “to support innovation and solidarity”.
In November 2021, Inter expanded this partnership to also cover their women’s team, making Mastercard the official front-of-shirt sponsor for the women’s team’s matchday kits.
