Women’s sport needs to convert online fandom into ticket sales July 3, 2025 With England’s Euros defence getting underway on Saturday, how does women’s sport convert online fandom into ticket sales? Attendances down, TV viewing figures falling, but TikTok and Instagram metrics up. This is the current state of engagement with women’s professional sport in the United Kingdom. Phone surfing can be monetised, but there is an urgent [...]
Aston Villa sign UK licensed Xapo Bank as club partner July 2, 2025 UK licensed crypto firm Xapo Bank has partnered with Premier League club Aston Villa in a deal that will see them become the official partner of the club’s pre-season tour to the United States. The self proclaimed “pioneering private bank” was established in 2013 and last year passported its banking licence to the UK. And [...]
Premier League kicks off AI era with five-year Microsoft deal July 1, 2025 The Premier League has inked a five-year deal with Microsoft to overhaul how fans engage with the game. But the tie-up also tightens Big Tech’s grip on British sport, reigniting scrutiny over data use and monetisation. Under the agreement, Microsoft will become the League’s official cloud and AI partner, with its Copilot technology powering a [...]
London City Lionesses score Nike kit deal following promotion to WSL July 1, 2025 London City Lionesses have secured a high-profile kit deal with Nike following their promotion to the Women’s Super League (WSL) for the first time. The trailblazing club – owned by American Michele Kang – are the only side in the WSL to be fully independent, with no ties to a men’s professional team in the [...]
West Ham announce betting sponsor year before gambling ban July 1, 2025 West Ham United has announced a sponsorship deal with bookmaker Boyle Sports one year out from a voluntary Premier League gambling ban. Clubs in England’s top flight have agreed to scrapping gambling brands as front-of-shirt sponsors from the 2026-27 season. Irish bookies Boyle Sports will replace Betway at the London Stadium. The multi-year deal will [...]
Surj Sports chief: Saudi parent PIF, investing and league focus July 1, 2025 Chief executive of Dazn investors Surj Sports Investments Danny Townsend discusses the state of the changing landscape. When Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund purchased Premier League club Newcastle United in 2021, Middle Eastern sports spending was thrust into the voyeuristic forefront of executive and fan consciousness. Since then Saudi Arabia has invested in a multitude [...]
Channel 4 bag 3.7m viewers for England U-21 Euros triumph June 30, 2025 England’s U-21 European Championship triumph against Germany was watched by a peak 3.7m on Saturday evening. The Channel 4 broadcast on Saturday night claimed 37 per cent of all viewers watching TV at the time England beat Germany 3-2 in Slovakia. Harvey Elliott and Omari Hutchinson scored England’s normal time goals before Nelson Weiper and [...]
Crystal Palace made to sweat by Uefa over Europa League place June 30, 2025 Crystal Palace must wait to learn their fate as to whether they will participate in the Europa League, Uefa confirmed on Monday. The first chamber of the Uefa Club Financial Control Body made rulings on two other cases but chose to delay their decision for Crystal Palace. The Eagles’ won a spot in the second [...]
Women’s football: Why brand is key to building on Lionesses’ success June 27, 2025 With the Women’s Euros approaching the spotlight is bright on the Lionesses, and domestic clubs will be looking to capitalise on the momentum of the tournament by converting national fans into home team supporters. This is where brand comes in. Crucial for building greater connections, a sense of belonging and loyalty, and for attracting the [...]
Under-21 Euros: England youngsters chalk up wins for Channel 4 June 26, 2025 Channel 4’s punt on England at the men’s Under-21 Euros has already paid off before Saturday’s final, with strong viewing figures for the Young Lions’ knockout games. England’s semi-final win over the Netherlands on Wednesday evening was the most popular programming on UK TV at the time. The 2-1 victory over the Dutch, secured by [...]