Chelsea agree sponsorship deal with AI company IFS

Chelsea have secured a new shirt sponsor, agreeing a deal with artificial intelligence technology firm IFS that will run until the end of the current season. The agreement ends a prolonged spell without a permanent front-of-shirt partner for the club, which has not held a long-term deal in the slot since its previous arrangement with telecommunications company Three concluded in 2023.

Under the terms of the agreement, IFS branding will make its debut on the men’s team shirts this Saturday when Liam Rosenior’s side host Burnley in a Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge. The company’s logo will also feature on the women’s team kit the following day, as Sonia Bompastor’s squad welcome Manchester United to Kingsmeadow for a Women’s Super League encounter.

Although the IFS logo will occupy the front of the shirt only through the remainder of the season, the collaboration is described as a “multi-year global partnership” that extends until 2028. Once the summer transfer window opens, the AI brand will transition away from the front of the jersey, making room for a new long-term sponsor that the club hopes will command in the region of £65 million per season.

Chelsea had previously utilised short-term solutions to fill the vacant space, with sports technology company Infinite Athlete and Dubai-based property developer Damac each appearing on the front of the shirt in interim deals. The IFS agreement means the Blues are no longer the only Premier League side without a sponsor in the prominent front-of-shirt position.