Chelsea FC Signs Crypto Deal with Circle Internet Group

Circle Internet Group has become Chelsea Football Club's first-ever crypto shirt sponsor after securing a deal to appear on the front of the team's kit for the 2026/27 season.

The partnership will see Circle, the company behind the USDC stablecoin, replace previous sponsor Infinite Athlete and marks a significant milestone in the growing relationship between cryptocurrency and traditional sports.

Circle cleared a regulatory hurdle that others may not have been able to overcome after receiving a UK Financial Conduct Authority e-money issuer licence. This distinction is crucial given recent warnings from the FCA about sponsorship deals with unauthorised financial firms, including crypto businesses.

The deal is also significant because Circle has framed its product around dollar payments rather than speculation, which may help alleviate concerns surrounding the use of stablecoins in mainstream sports marketing.