FedEx to become Main Sponsor of the UEFA Europa League

023 - Global courier and logistics operator signs sponsorship deal until 2018

UEFA today announced that FedEx will become the official main sponsor of the UEFA Europa League, one of UEFA’s prestigious European club football competitions. The sponsorship will commence in the 2015/16 season and run through to, and include, the UEFA Europa League final in 2018.

Sponsorship of the UEFA Europa League, the world’s largest professional club football competition, which each season comprises 192 professional football teams from 54 countries, will provide FedEx with a unique opportunity for worldwide brand visibility. The competition is broadcast in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, enjoying an average matchweek audience of 69 million throughout the competition.

As main sponsor, FedEx, with its extensive network of courier and logistics operations, will be able to draw upon this global reach to engage its customers and employees around the world in the excitement of the UEFA Europa League.

From the start of the 2015/16 UEFA Europa League season, UEFA is implementing a fully centralised marketing approach that includes use of static stadium boards from the group stage, and LED perimeter boards at all stadiums from the round of 16 onwards. The announcement of a main sponsor reflects the advancements made to the commercial structure, which, alongside this main sponsor, will feature official sponsors and adidas as the official supplier to the competition.

In addition to pitch-side visibility, ticketing and hospitality opportunities at all matches played throughout Europe, the agreement with FedEx also provides digital and social media content opportunities, and use of the UEFA Europa League brand assets, including the iconic trophy.

The UEFA Europa League final provides the culmination to each season of the three-year agreement, and FedEx will enjoy exclusive sponsorship rights to this high-profile, one-off match that will determine the winner of one of the most prestigious and sought-after trophies in European football each year.

Commenting on the announcement, Guy-Laurent Epstein, Marketing Director of UEFA Events SA said:

“Embarking on this new era of the competition with a renowned global brand such as FedEx serves to recognise the advancements we have made to the competition through the new fully centralised commercial approach. FedEx has a long and established pedigree in sports sponsorship, and we are delighted to be welcoming them on board as main sponsor. With the UEFA Europa League continuing to go from strength to strength, having such a recognisable and established brand as FedEx as the main sponsor will only help to maintain the growth in popularity of the competition among fans, clubs and players globally. We look forward to collaborating with FedEx throughout the duration of their sponsorship, and helping them to meet their objectives.”

Andrew Self, Vice-President Marketing and Communications, FedEx, said:

“As one of the most important European club football competitions, the UEFA Europa League is a perfect sponsorship for FedEx, which has a strong commitment to doing business across borders throughout the European region. The UEFA Europa League is an elite competition based on a foundation of grassroots football. It has a great mix of famous clubs and local teams, and reflects the genuine passion of fans across Europe and the globe. It is a great way for us to reinforce the commitment and passion that our employees demonstrate every day.”

FedEx becomes the inaugural main sponsor of the UEFA Europa League, joining adidas, which is the official supplier to the tournament for the 2015-2018 period.

Note to the editors

UEFA Events SA is a wholly owned subsidiary of UEFA, created to manage and handle the European football governing body's commercial and event operations.

TEAM Marketing AG is the exclusive marketing agency of UEFA for the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.