Manchester United lock in new global partnership deal

Liam Watson
English Premier League club Manchester United have sweetened their portfolio by securing a multi-year global partnership with Mondelēz International.

The US-based multinational confectionary, food and beverage company counts the likes of Cadbury, Oreo, Toblerone, Milka and Belvita within its ownership – and will collaborate with the Premier League side to create co-branded products, as well as interactive campaigns to engage United’s supporters across the globe.

The deal hasn’t been confirmed for its financial worth, but will see Mondelēz looking to tap into a worldwide fan and follower base that has reached 1.1 billion people, according to market research agency Kantar.

The partnership recently began with United’s 3-0 home win against Watford on 23rd February, which included support for Cadbury’s ‘Donate Your Words’ campaign on digital signage.

“Whether it’s Cadbury, Ritz, Oreo, or one of its many other brands, Mondelēz’s products are renowned around the world,” said Richard Arnold, Manchester United’s Managing Director.

“This global partnership will assist Mondelēz with its expansion into key markets whilst deepening the affinity their customers have for their products. For Manchester United, the partnership enables us to bring Mondelēz’s popular products to our fans and enhances our ability to continue investing on the pitch.”

Colin O’Toole, Associate Marketing Director at Mondelēz has been part of the new deal agreement.

“As a global company with a presence in many different markets our alliance with one of the most recognisable sports teams in the world will give us the ability to differentiate us from competitors by offering our consumers added value through engaging products and experiences.”

Over the last 12 months, United have struck global deals with the likes of Lego, Marriot Hotels and Konami, showing that while success on the field hasn’t been as it once was, it has had no bearing in attracting new commercial partners.

Despite lacklustre league form since 2013, United continue to be the dominant commercial force in English soccer, having posted record revenues of UK£627.1 million (AU$1.2 billion) for the 2018/19 financial year.

Revenues of UK£135.4 million (AU$266.8 million) for the first quarter of 2019/20 were also announced last November, an increase of UK£400,000 (AU$788,000) on the same period last year. However, the club’s net debt for the quarter climbed 55.5 per cent from UK£247.2 million (AU$487.2 million) to UK£384.5 million (AU$757.8 million).

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Football NNSW Releases Infrastructure Strategies as Participation Growth Outpaces Facilities

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Northern NSW Football has unveiled bespoke infrastructure strategies for each of its seven member zones, providing an evidence-based roadmap for facility investment across the region as continued participation growth exposes critical gaps in the sporting infrastructure available to support it.

The Member Zone Infrastructure Strategies draw on data across participation rates, population growth and existing facility conditions to map what each zone has, what it needs and where investment will have the greatest impact. Identified gaps include drainage, lighting and inclusive changerooms – the foundational infrastructure that determines whether facilities are functional, safe and accessible year-round.

NNSWF Government Relations Manager Gary Fisher said the strategies represented a significant step toward smarter, more targeted investment across the region.

“By bringing together key data on participation, population growth and existing infrastructure, these strategies give us a stronger understanding of where the needs are greatest and where investment will have the most impact,” Fisher said. “Ultimately we want to create more inclusive and accessible environments for everyone involved in the game while building stronger, more sustainable clubs and communities for the future.”

Northern NSW Football has previously noted that participation across the region is at record levels and still rising, with women’s and girls’ football a significant driver of that growth. Infrastructure that was built for a smaller and less diverse participation base is increasingly unable to meet current demand, let alone accommodate future growth.

The strategies are also designed to strengthen NNSWF’s alignment with government funding priorities, providing the evidence base needed to support grant applications and long-term facility planning across all seven zones.

Football Victoria launches inaugural Club State Championships amid World Cup fever

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Football Victoria (FV) has unveiled the inaugural Victorian Club State Championships, a new statewide tournament set to transform the winter football calendar and provide a major platform for emerging talent across the state.

Taking place from July 2–5 at The Home of The Matildas, the event will coincide with the FIFA World Cup 2026 period. This alignment a strategic move aimed at capitalising on heightened global football engagement.

The tournament will feature both boys’ and girls’ teams from U9 through to U17 age groups, bringing together clubs from Advanced and Community competitions in a bid to crown Victoria’s best-performing clubs across each division.

A statewide stage for club football

In what shapes as a major addition to the Victorian football landscape, the championships are designed to create a high-level tournament environment outside regular league competition. This offering players valuable exposure to knockout football, elevated match intensity and cross-league competition.

Football Victoria described the event as a celebration of the “strength, depth and talent” within the state’s football ecosystem, while also positioning it as a unique opportunity for clubs to test themselves against opponents they would not typically face throughout the season.

The decision to host the competition at The Home of The Matildas further reinforces FV’s intention to elevate the stature of the event, utilising one of Australia’s premier football facilities as the centrepiece of the tournament.

Creating a World Cup atmosphere in Victoria

FV believes the timing of the championships, running during the FIFA World Cup, will help generate a carnival-like atmosphere around the game at grassroots and pathway level.

Each participating team will play a minimum of four matches, with assistant referees appointed from U12 onwards. Disciplinary outcomes will also carry into regular season records, adding further competitive weight to the tournament structure.

Importantly, academy-only and social teams will not be eligible, reinforcing the event’s focus on recognised club pathways and structured competition.

A new piece in Football Victoria’s long-term strategy

The launch of the Victorian Club State Championships comes as Football Victoria continues to reshape and modernise its competition structures across both elite and community football, with the governing body placing greater emphasis on player development, competitive alignment and statewide engagement initiatives.

For clubs, the tournament presents not only the opportunity to compete for silverware, but also a rare chance to benchmark themselves against the broader Victorian football landscape during one of the sport’s biggest global moments.

With registrations now open, the Victorian Club State Championships could quickly become one of the most anticipated additions to the state football calendar.

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