The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Qatar Airways Group have signed a new deal, which will include package rights for key AFC competitions up to 2029.
Beginning with the upcoming AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023, the airline will offer travel packages to football fans worldwide.
The partnership will also include package rights for other competitions such as AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027, AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024, AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024, 2026 and 2028, as well as all AFC youth national team competitions during the partnership.
Not only will Qatar Airways offer packages for travelling fans, but sponsorship of matches in the AFC Champions League 2023-24 Knockout Stage and three new AFC flagship club competitions from the 2024-25 season onwards.
The partnership deal will be managed by Asia Football Group (AFG), the AFC’s commercial agency for 2023-2028.
“It is with great enthusiasm we welcome Qatar Airways on board as the AFC’s newest partner,” said AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John. “This collaboration again underlines the ever-growing appeal of the AFC’s world-class competitions and embodies the AFC and Qatar Airways’ shared commitment to excellence and elevating the sports experience for fans worldwide.
“With Qatar Airways, we look forward to expanding our global footprint. This partnership not only connects fans across borders but also enhances the accessibility of our sports events on a truly international scale with seamless and convenient travel experiences.”
Qatar Airways group chief executive, engineer Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, added: “Qatar Airways is excited to welcome the AFC to our robust sports sponsorship portfolio. This is a monumental occasion which marks our shared commitment to connecting people across borders and promoting competitive sportsmanship.
“As the Best Airline in the Middle East, we look forward to welcoming fans from the region on our expansive network to experience Qatar’s unique sports offerings. We will work together with the AFC to help create thrilling moments of football excellence in the upcoming years, kicking off with the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 which is due to be held next month in state-of-the-art venues across the country.”
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