Aramco Eyes Blockbuster FIFA Sponsorship Deal 

According to The Times, Saudi Arabian oil behemoth Aramco is poised for a blockbuster sponsorship deal with FIFA. 

The report stated Aramco will become one of the top-tier sponsors of the global football authority, with a deal worth up to US$100m a year. The contract is reportedly meant to be valid until 2034, the same year Saudi Arabia is tipped to host the men’s World Cup. 

If the deal is sealed, this could be another feather in Aramco’s burgeoning sport sponsorship portfolio. The state-owned oil behemoth already has lucrative partnerships with the India Premier League (IPL), the International Cricket Council (ICC), Formula 1 and women’s golf.   

According to ASN data, Aramco is the second largest player ( 10.9%, slightly over US$41.5m) for its category in the Asian sponsorship market since Q121, trailing behind Petronas (39.3%, almost US$150.2m). However, with the FIFA sponsorship in the pipeline, it won’t be surprising to see a new market leader in this major category.