Saudia Renews Newcastle United Partnership 

Saudia, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, has renewed its sponsorship deal with PIF funded Newcastle United. 

Newcastle United has renewed its partnership with Saudia, the club’s Official Airline Partner, for 2023/24 and beyond.

The new multi-year, official airline partnership follows beyond the 2022/23 season when Saudia flew the Magpies’ from Newcastle to Riyadh for warm-weather training and a friendly match against Al-Hilal.

The partnership will see Saudia engage with Newcastle United supporters around the world through exclusive offers and experiences, as well as reaching billions of football fans across the globe through the club’s digital channels and international television audiences.

Following the deal, Newcastle United’s chief commercial officer, Peter Silverstone, said, “This is a natural step in our growing relationship with Saudia and follows our hugely successful partnership in 2022.We were incredibly impressed with Saudia, both on board our flights to and from the Middle East, and in what we experienced as our teams activated our partnership during the 2022/23 season.” 

“Saudia’s partnership activations were extremely well received by our growing local and global fanbase, with incredible digital results being achieved by both parties. Our ambition is to grow Newcastle United globally and to become the most popular Premier League club in Saudi Arabia and other territories around the world.”

“Saudia will open up new markets for Newcastle United as we strengthen our connection with fans across the globe. We are very excited about the journey ahead. We relish the challenge and opportunity to support Saudia as it looks to expand its route network, and reach new audiences, through the huge global awareness Newcastle United can provide.”

Saudia’s Group Chief Marketing Officer, Khaled Tash, added, “At Saudia we have always strived to create meaningful connections that transcend boundaries, and our partnership with Newcastle United aligns with this vision. We recognised in Newcastle United a club with a rich history, strong values and a passionate fanbase that resonates with our own principles.” 

“The opportunity to connect with Newcastle United’s fanbase is a source of great excitement. The prospect of forging a bond with millions of fans and bringing them closer to our brand and values and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is truly exciting.” 

“With our expanding route network and premier product we are keen to reach new audiences showcasing Saudi Arabia to the UK population but also growing awareness of the multiple leisure and business travel destinations Saudia provides through its hyper-connected global network.”

Presently, Saudia connects passengers from over 100 destinations around the world to Saudi Arabia through its state-of-the-art hub at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and other key terminals around Saudi Arabia. 

According to ASN data, airlines have invested almost US$97.4m in football sponsorship deals across Asia, making up 28.3% of their budget and cementing the beautiful game’s position as the number 1 sport to be involved in. The likes of tennis (20.3%) and motorsports (17.6%) are just behind football, completing the top 3 sport airlines have invested in.