Chelsea unveiled their new kit for the 2023-24 season on Monday, but it is without a sponsor on the front. This is the first time that any of the Premier League’s “Big Six” clubs have launched a kit without a sponsor.
Chelsea’s previous sponsorship agreement with Three, worth £40 million per year, ended in the summer. The club have been in talks with a number of potential sponsors since then, but have been unable to reach an agreement with any of them.
There are a number of reasons why Chelsea have been unable to find a new sponsor. One reason is the ongoing sanctions against the club imposed by the UK government. These sanctions have made it difficult for Chelsea to do business with some companies.
Another reason is the Premier League’s ban on gambling sponsors from 2025-26. This has made some companies less interested in sponsoring Chelsea, as they would only be able to do so for a limited period of time.
As a result of these factors, Chelsea will be forced to launch their new kit without a sponsor. This is a major blow to the club, as shirt sponsorships are a significant source of revenue. However, Chelsea are hopeful that they will be able to find a new sponsor before the start of the new season.
In the meantime, Chelsea fans will be able to buy the new kit without a sponsor. The club have said that they will distribute brand patches that fans can iron on to their own shirts if and when a new sponsor is found.
Here are some of the reasons why Chelsea have been unable to secure a new sponsor for their kit:
- The ongoing sanctions against Chelsea’s owner, Roman Abramovich, have made it difficult for the club to attract new sponsors.
- The Premier League’s ban on gambling sponsors from 2025-26 has made some potential sponsors wary of entering into a deal with Chelsea.
- Chelsea’s recent on-field performances have been poor, which may have also put some potential sponsors off.
Despite these challenges, Chelsea are confident that they will be able to find a new sponsor before the start of the new season. The club’s new owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, are said to be keen to secure a lucrative deal, and they believe that Chelsea’s brand value is still strong.
It remains to be seen how Chelsea’s new kit will be received by fans. Some fans may be disappointed that the kit does not have a sponsor, while others may be happy that the club is not associated with a gambling company. Ultimately, the success of the new kit will depend on how well it is designed and how it performs on the pitch.