Chelsea FC Partners with Circle for 2026/2027 Season Sponsorship
Circle, the digital payments firm behind the USDC stablecoin, has reached a sponsorship agreement with Chelsea Football Club that will see its branding featured on players' jerseys during the 2026/2027 season.
The deal comes just months after the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) raised concerns regarding sponsorship deals between football clubs and unauthorized financial companies, including those in the crypto sector.
Circle highlighted that USDC is 'issued by certain regulated affiliates,' but clarified that the stablecoin is neither issued nor regulated under United Kingdom law. Policymakers in the UK are in the process of introducing more defined rules surrounding digital assets, including stablecoins, to bolster consumer protections and market oversight.
The FCA urged clubs to ensure that collaborations do not allow dubious or unauthorized firms to leverage club loyalty for promoting speculative or unregulated financial offerings to a massive audience. Chelsea continues to partner with major brands across various sectors to reinforce its commercial footprint in sports and entertainment.