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Manchester United are set to feature a sponsor on the back of their shirts during competitive matches for the first time in the club’s history this season, as reported by The Athletic.
This sponsorship will be prominently visible during Saturday’s Community Shield match against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, with a Microsoft product taking center stage.
However, this new addition will reportedly not be seen in Premier League or UEFA Europa League fixtures throughout the season.
Instead, the sponsor will only appear on United’s jerseys during domestic cup competitions such as the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, as well as in Women’s Super League (WSL) matches, as per The Athletic.
According to the report, this move is part of a broader sponsorship strategy with Snapdragon, a subsidiary of the American technology firm Qualcomm.
Snapdragon’s three-year agreement to sponsor the front of United’s jerseys came into effect at the start of the current season and is valued at $75 million per year.
This sponsorship covers United’s men’s and women’s teams, along with the club’s academy kits.
Snapdragon’s deal with Manchester United reportedly includes a two-year extension option, which is expected to be activated following meetings between Snapdragon’s executives and United’s new chief executive, Omar Berrada, in San Diego this summer.
This meeting coincided with United’s match against Real Betis at the Snapdragon Stadium. If the extension is triggered, Snapdragon’s investment in United will total $375 million over a five-year period, the report reveals.
As part of Qualcomm’s sponsorship package, the company gained the rights to promote the hardware powered by Snapdragon processors, as well as other brands that collaborate with Snapdragon.
For the 2024-25 season, the first brand chosen to feature on the back of United’s shirt is Microsoft CoPilot+ PCs, a computer product powered by Snapdragon technology.
The logo will be positioned beneath the squad numbers and will also be visible in Women’s Super League matches, academy games, and United’s FA Cup and Carabao Cup fixtures.
While Microsoft’s logo will be showcased, it’s important to note that Microsoft itself will not become an official partner of Manchester United through this agreement, nor will it acquire any commercial rights from the club.
The decision to promote Microsoft CoPilot+ PCs was made by Qualcomm, emphasizing how football clubs are seeking innovative ways to add value for their key sponsors.
In this instance, it allows Qualcomm to strengthen its partnerships with brands like Microsoft.
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