Arsenal FC and Airwallex unite in global deal

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Image credit: Luthfi Syahwal / Shutterstock.com

Arsenal FC has entered a multi-year deal with Airwallex, appointing the global financial services platform as its Official Finance Software Partner.

Airwallex will serve as the Presenting Partner for Arsenal’s men’s pre-season tour across eastern Asia. Their technology will support the tour’s operations, with both organisations working together long-term to enhance Arsenal’s payment systems and explore new areas of collaboration.

Airwallex was founded in 2015 by CEO and CO-Founder, Jack Zhang and three entrepreneurs who started a coffee shop in Melbourne to explore global retail trends. While sourcing supplies internationally, they faced costly and inefficient foreign exchange and banking systems.

Instead of viewing these as obstacles, they saw an opportunity to develop a better solution. This led to the creation of Airwallex, transforming how businesses handle cross-border payments and financial operations.

By 2024, Airwallex had expanded its operations to process AUD 153 billion (USD 100 billion) in transactions annually, with a customer base exceeding 100,000 and nearly AUD 766 million (USD 500 million) in yearly revenue.

Airwallex will have access to Arsenal’s men’s and women’s first team branding and will create exclusive, engaging content for fans during matches at Emirates Stadium across both the Premier League and Women’s Super League.

Arsenal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Juliet Slot, highlighted the new partnership marks more than just a business deal, it’s a shared vision for innovation, growth, and global connection.

“We’re delighted to welcome Airwallex to our Arsenal family, and to introduce them to our Gooners around the world on our upcoming men’s tour to Asia. They share our values, our ambition to grow, and our ambition to win,” she said via club statement.

“We look forward to working together with them closely over the coming years to drive efficiencies across our commercial operations, supporting our growth and fuelling the investment that will bring us sustained success.”

As Airwallex continues to redefine the future of financial technology, Jack Zhang Co-Founder and CEO of the payment group, sees Arsenal as an ideal partner to support its mission.

“Partnering with Arsenal is a proud moment for Airwallex. We are building the future of global finance, and that means working with brands and businesses that are committed to global reach, excellence and innovation – all attributes that are deeply embedded at Arsenal,” he said via press release.

“Whether it’s helping the club save time and money in their day-to-day financial operations, or creating a smoother payments experience for supporters enjoying the football experience, we believe this collaboration will create real value for football, for businesses, and for aspirational people all around the world.”

This alliance builds on Airwallex’s continued global momentum, expanding its presence across Asia-Pacific, EMEA, and the Americas. It follows a recent funding milestone that further underscored the company’s strong position and ambitious growth plans.

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Victory unites with Roasting Warehouse in culture-led partnership

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Image credit: Melbourne Victory

The Melbourne-based anf family-owned business will join the Victory family, uniting two institutions which represent the city’s culture and identity.

A partnership with local roots

As the newest partner of Melbourne Victory, Roasting Warehouse joins forces with a vital part of the city’s sporting landscape.

The club’s Managing Director, Caroline Carnegie, outlined why the partnership bears so much value to both parties.

“We are excited to collaborate with Roasting Warehouse, a community-oriented destination for high-quality coffee, proud of its foundations in Melbourne,” said Carnegie via official media release.

“Football and coffee sit at the epicentre of Melbourne’s culture. The two go hand-in-hand, consistently at the centre of the conversation that stirs Melburnians, which is no different to the conversation sport and Melbourne Victory stir in the State.”

Indeed, this is a partnership which combines the identity, passions and culture of an entire city, therefore giving it the foundations required for long-term, mutual success.

Representing the best of Melbourne

Both Victory and Roasting Warehouse are hugely successful in their respective industries. They are institutions with community-oriented philosphies, who pride themselves on craft and quality.

“We’re incredibly proud to partner with Melbourne Victory, a club that represents the heart, passion, and ambition of Melbourne,” revealed Roasting Warehouse Head of Brand, Alexander Paraskevopoulos.

“As a Melbourne-founded, family-run business, supporting a team that means so much to the local community feels very natural for us.”

Furthermore, through their high-quality blends, Roasting Warehouse will look to prepare Victory’s players and staff for high performances on the pitch as the seasons nears completion.

But this is about far more than just fueling athletes.

This is a partnership which embodies and unites two of Melbourne’s greatest strengths and cultural markers – a connection forged from the city’s very own DNA.

 

For more information about Roasting Warehouse, click here.

Marie-Louise Eta makes history as new Union Berlin head coach

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Image credit: FC Union Berlin

In an historic appointment, Eta will take over as head coach of Union Berlin until the end of the season.

History in the making

Previously the first female assistant coach in Bundesliga history with Union Berlin, Eta will now take the reigns of the men’s first team on an interim basis.

Currently, the club sit in 11th place in the Bundesliga table, but with only two wins so far in 2026, relegation appears an all-too-real prospect, and one which the club is desperate to avoid.

“Given the points gap in the lower half of the table, our place in the Bundesliga is not yet secure,” said Eta via official media release.

‘I am delighted that the club has entrusted me with this challenging task. One of Union’s strengths has always been, and remains, the ability to pull together in such situations.”

Eta will begin as Union’s new head coach with immediate effect, and will be in the dugout for the club’s matchup against Wolfsburg this weekend.

 

A step into an equal future

Eta’s appointment signals a major step towards a more level playing field in the football landscape.

Furthermore, Eta joins other coaches including Sabrinna Wittmann, Hannah Dingley and Corinne Diacre who, in recent years, have blazed a trail for female coaches to step into the men’s game.

Wittmann currently manages FC Ingolstadt in Germany’s third division, and was the first female head coach in Germany’s top three divisions.

In 2023, Dingley became caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, and thus the first woman to lead a men’s professional team in England.

Diacre, now head coach of France’s women’s national team, managed Ligue 2’s Clerment Foot between 2014 and 2017.

 

Final thoughts

The impact therefore, is that Eta’s appointment will show future generations of aspiring female coaches that men’s football is an equally viable and possible pathway as the women’s game.

The time is now to level the playing field.

And while it may be a short-term role, its effect on attitudes towards equality and fair opportunities in the game will hopefully resonate long after the season ends.

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