Manchester City Football Club is taking a bold step into the digital future by expanding its partnership with crypto fintech leader OKX, naming the company as its official sleeve sponsor in a new multi-year agreement. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in the club's mission to connect with its massive global fanbase through innovative digital experiences.
As part of the deal, OKX branding will appear on the sleeves of both the men’s and women’s first-team playing kits. The partnership extends beyond traditional sponsorship, integrating deeply into Manchester City’s digital ecosystem and offering fans around the world immersive web3 experiences.
A Shared Vision for Innovation and Fan Engagement
Founded in 2017, OKX has rapidly grown into one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchanges, serving over 50 million customers across more than 100 countries. The company first joined forces with Manchester City in 2022 as the official training kit sponsor for the 2022/23 season. Now, this expanded role reflects the success of their initial collaboration and a shared commitment to technological advancement.
With only 2% of Manchester City’s 600 million global fans based in the UK, the club is focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology to bring supporters closer to the action—no matter where they are. OKX’s expertise in blockchain and digital assets positions it as a key enabler in this vision.
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Web3 Experiences That Bring Fans Closer to the Game
At the heart of this partnership is the OKX Collective, a dynamic web3 platform that delivers exclusive digital content from Manchester City players. Fans can already enjoy unique experiences such as:
- A virtual DJ set by star midfielder Jack Grealish
- An NFT collection curated by defender Alex Greenwood
- Interactive metaverse events that simulate matchday excitement
These initiatives go beyond mere collectibles—they create emotional connections between fans and the club through personalized, immersive content. By blending sports, entertainment, and decentralized technology, OKX and Manchester City are redefining what it means to be a football supporter in the digital age.
Ferran Soriano, Chief Executive Officer of City Football Group, emphasized the alignment between both organizations:
“We share the same values. Both OKX and Manchester City are leading companies driven by a passion for innovation. We have already seen great web3 experiences designed by OKX for Manchester City’s global fan base—and there will be many more to come.”
Driving Blockchain Adoption Through Sports
For OKX, this partnership is about more than brand visibility. It’s an opportunity to educate millions about the real-world applications of blockchain technology.
Haider Rafique, Global Chief Marketing Officer at OKX, highlighted the broader mission:
“Manchester City was our first official global brand partnership. In just a year and a half, we’ve come a long way. We always intended to integrate with the sport and help the club lead in embracing web3.”
He continued:
“AI and blockchain are digitizing the world around us. Crypto is not just about speculation—it’s about the technology behind it. I hope this partnership extends the bigger message of blockchain around the world.”
This sentiment underscores a shift in how crypto companies position themselves—not as speculative ventures, but as foundational tech platforms shaping the future of finance, identity, and community.
Beyond Sponsorship: Tools for Digital Ownership
OKX isn’t just engaging fans through NFTs and metaverse events—it’s empowering them with tools for true digital ownership. The OKX Wallet, a self-custody solution compatible with web3, allows users to securely manage their digital assets while accessing a wide range of decentralized applications (dApps), DeFi protocols, and NFT marketplaces.
This level of control aligns perfectly with the ethos of modern digital fandom, where supporters expect ownership, transparency, and participation—not just passive consumption.
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A Global Sports Portfolio Built on Technology
OKX’s sponsorship strategy extends beyond football. The company also partners with high-profile entities including:
- McLaren Formula 1 Team
- Olympic snowboarder Scotty James
- F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo
These collaborations reflect OKX’s focus on performance, innovation, and global reach—values that resonate across sports and cultures.
By aligning with elite athletes and teams known for pushing boundaries, OKX reinforces its brand as a forward-thinking leader in the digital economy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What does being a sleeve sponsor mean?
A: A sleeve sponsor is a brand featured on the upper arm or sleeve area of a team’s match jerseys. It’s one of the most visible sponsorship placements in modern football, offering high exposure during broadcasts and live events.
Q: Will OKX appear on both men’s and women’s kits?
A: Yes. The sponsorship includes placement on the sleeves of both Manchester City Men’s and Women’s first-team playing kits.
Q: What is the OKX Collective?
A: The OKX Collective is a web3-powered fan experience platform that delivers exclusive digital content from Manchester City players, including NFT drops, virtual events, and interactive metaverse experiences.
Q: Is this partnership promoting crypto speculation?
A: No. Both OKX and Manchester City emphasize education and utility. The focus is on showcasing how blockchain technology can enhance fan engagement, enable digital ownership, and create new forms of interaction.
Q: How can fans access OKX-powered experiences?
A: Fans can join the OKX Collective through the OKX website or app, where they can explore NFT collections, attend virtual events, and engage with player-led content.
Q: Does OKX offer financial products related to this partnership?
A: While OKX provides a full suite of crypto services—including trading, staking, and wallet solutions—this partnership primarily focuses on fan engagement and digital innovation rather than direct financial promotions.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Football and Web3
The expanded partnership between Manchester City and OKX signals a new era in sports sponsorship—one where technology plays a central role in fan connection, content delivery, and brand value. As web3 adoption grows, we can expect more clubs to follow suit, integrating blockchain-based experiences into their core engagement strategies.
With over 600 million fans worldwide, Manchester City is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. And with OKX’s technical infrastructure and creative vision, the possibilities for innovation are limitless.
From NFTs that commemorate legendary moments to metaverse matchdays where fans interact in real time, the future of football fandom is being rewritten—one smart contract at a time.