City Football Group Partners
ETIHAD
In May 2009, Manchester City Football Club announced a significant partnership with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. This comprehensive partnership agreement included the Manchester City playing kit, as well as the naming rights for the Etihad Stadium and the Etihad Campus.
Expanding its partnership within City Football Group, Etihad Airways then became the principal shirt and team partner of New York City and the shirt partner of Melbourne City, demonstrating the airline’s deep commitment to global engagement and connecting football fans worldwide.
Activation Highlights
GENERATING GLOBAL AWARENESS
By leveraging marketing rights across multiple teams within CFG, Etihad Airways has successfully used the Group’s unique global platform to enhance visibility for its worldwide network of flights. Specifically in Manchester, Etihad works with the Club’s content creation hub, City Studios, to create innovative and engaging content for fans around the world.
THE AIRLINE OF CHAMPIONS
Etihad Airways provides a special Manchester City-branded plane for the Club’s significant moments. This activation celebrates and elevates the Club’s historic achievements on a global scale – including the Treble – as the two partners share a strong commitment to excellence.
PURPOSE-DRIVEN INITIATIVES
Collaborating with 'City in the Community', the partnership has developed impactful programs like the Youth Leadership Experience, aimed at empowering thousands of young leaders globally through developmental opportunities.
ETIHAD AIRWAYS AND CITY FOOTBALL GROUP
The partnership started in May 2009 with Manchester – and has become a prime example of how CFG’s growing global model can be a platform for partners achieve their ambitious goals and effectively reach audiences around the world.
Now, the official partner of three CFG clubs – Manchester City, New York City and Melbourne City – Etihad Airways has successfully shared not only their brand, but also their important brand values, with a global audience. Together, the partners have created best-in-class content, fan experiences and community initiatives designed to collectively deliver real social impact through football. The shared commitment to excellence and focus on community work continue to drive the ongoing success of this partnership.