Arsenal have announced a new sponsorship agreement with Emirates that will keep the airline as the club's headline partner until 2033, extending a relationship that stretches back nearly two decades. The deal ensures Emirates remains the club's front-of-shirt sponsor while also continuing its involvement with the training kit and the naming rights to the Emirates Stadium.
The financial terms of the extended deal have not been made public, but the agreement represents a significant continuation of a partnership that first began in 2006, the same year Arsenal relocated to their current home. Over the years, Emirates has become one of the most visible and enduring commercial partners in English football, and this renewal cements that status for the coming decade.
The timing of the announcement is notable, coming off the back of a landmark campaign for Arsenal. The 2025-26 season saw the Gunners finally end a 22-year drought without a Premier League title, a triumph that has reinvigorated the club both on and off the pitch. Arsenal's chief executive, Richard Garlick, spoke to the significance of the achievement and the role Emirates has played throughout the club's recent history.
"Winning the Premier League is an incredibly proud moment in our club's history and one that belongs to everyone connected with Arsenal," Garlick said. He went on to praise the airline's long-term commitment, adding: "Emirates has been an integral part of this success, standing alongside us throughout this journey and sharing in the defining moments, challenges and successes that have shaped our club over the past two decades."
As part of the renewed agreement, Arsenal and Emirates will continue to run joint initiatives, including the Emirates Cup pre-season tournament. This year's edition will see Arsenal host Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, giving fans an early look at Mikel Arteta's squad ahead of the new campaign. To celebrate the milestone of 20 years of collaboration, the two parties are also preparing to release a commemorative film. The production will feature former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker reflecting on some of the standout moments from the partnership's history.
While the commercial news brought positive headlines, Arsenal's on-field preparations hit a bump on Wednesday when they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Real Betis in a pre-season friendly at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Arteta's side struggled defensively throughout the match, offering a reminder that there is still work to do before the competitive season begins. The result served as something of a wake-up call, with the Premier League campaign now just over two weeks away.
Despite the friendly setback, Arsenal's summer transfer business appears to be gathering pace. The club are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes for a fee in the region of £75 million, which would represent one of the marquee additions of their off-season activity. Arsenal have already strengthened their squad by bringing in winger Christos Tzolis. Meanwhile, links with Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr appear to have cooled, with the Brazilian now expected to sign a new contract with the Spanish club after being offered improved terms.
Arsenal will open their defense of domestic ambitions and begin the new Premier League season with a home fixture against newly promoted Coventry on August 21, as Arteta looks to build on last season's title-winning campaign while integrating new faces into the squad.
Based on reporting from Independent Football.