December 21 – FIFA has announced VISA as its first Global Women’s Football Partner under its newly launched commercial partnership structure that has separated the mens and women’s commercial sales sponsor offers and which comes into effect in 2023.
VISA will be designated the Exclusive Payment Service for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, and will implement its payment technology at tournament venues.
VISA will activate the World Cup-focussed sponsorship via exclusive experiences for fans and as incentives for corporate clients, but also encouraging them to participate via VISA’s marketing campaign assets, hence driving theirs and VISA’s business.
Visa, a partner of FIFA since 2007, will also incorporate its Team Visa programme into the sponsorship, as well as having naming rights to the Player of the Match awards.
“Through our continued partnership with FIFA, we believe we can shine a brighter light on equality, diversity and inclusion for women footballers, both on and off the pitch,” said Andrea Fairchild, Senior Vice-President, Global Sponsorship Strategy at Visa.
“Our commitment to women’s football is not short-term – we see these women as game changers in the biggest sense of the word and love to see the new heights women’s football continues to reach. We are thrilled to continue this trajectory as we look toward Australia and New Zealand in 2023.”
No term or value was given for the women’s sponsorship.
Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer, said: “Visa is well known for supporting athletes and seeing the positive benefits that can come through sport. They are advocates for equality, diversity and inclusion, core values that are shared by FIFA and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as we grow and celebrate the women’s game.”
Contact the writer of this story at paul.nicholson@insideworldfootball.com