Qatar Airways is to enter a strategic three-year partnership agreement with FC Barcelona that will see the airline’s brand name appear on first team shirts from the start of the 2013/14 season, effective from 1st July 2013. Qatar Airways will become the club’s Global Main Partner, signalling the first time the airline has engaged in a sponsorship with a major soccer club.
Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive, said at the Camp Nou stadium that it will be a unique partnership, describing the alignment with Barca as a “fitting match for both organisations, which will elevate the brands to a new platform on the global stage and sharing the same values – passionate about being the best at what we do in our respective fields. FC Barcelona is a club that exemplifies passion, pride, heritage and culture at its core. These are values we share, admire and are fundamental to Qatar Airways.
“Qatar Airways is entering a new chapter in our short history. We look forward to working with, and engaging with, the club, the fans and the people of Barcelona to help make a real difference through this exciting new partnership. It is great pride for my airline and my country to see Qatar Airways feature on FC Barcelona’s first-team shirts from next season.”
As part of the agreement, the airline’s name will adorn, from the start of the 2013/14 season, Barca first-team shirts at La Liga matches across Spain and Champions League matches across Europe, as well as friendly matches, including FC Barcelona’s pre-season tours.
