Visa builds Asian football presence with club competition renewal
Visa has renewed its AFC club competition partnership until 2029, securing global sponsorship rights alongside payment services, ticket pre-sales and fan experiences across men’s and women’s football.
Visa has extended its partnership with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for the 2026–2029 cycle, maintaining its commercial presence across the Champions League Elite, Champions League Two and Women’s Champions League.The company will remain an Official Global Supporter and serve as global payment services partner across all three competitions, with rights connecting its sponsorship to ticket purchases and matchday experiences.AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said: “We are thrilled to expand our global partnership with Visa. As one of the world's most trusted brands, Visa brings unparalleled payment expertise that will elevate convenience and security for football fans throughout Asia.“This collaboration perfectly aligns with our Vision to deliver world-class club competitions and deepen our engagement with our fans, especially as we nurture the exciting growth of the AFC Club Competitions.”The agreement includes preferred card acceptance at the Champions League Elite Finals and ticket pre-sales for Visa cardholders, giving the payments company opportunities to engage customers around the concluding stages of Asia’s leading men’s club competition.Further activations will include access to official coin tosses, exclusive stadium experiences and digital campaigns at selected matches, with opportunities made available through Visa’s worldwide network of member banks.Tarek Abdalla, Visa’s chief marketing officer for Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa, added: “Visa’s partnership with the AFC reflects our belief in the power of sport to connect people, communities and economies. As Asia’s premier club competitions continue to grow in reach and influence, we are proud to bring our global payment services expertise to help create more secure and more rewarding experiences for fans.“From enabling easier access to tickets to supporting memorable matchday moments, this partnership is another way Visa is helping fans get closer to the game while supporting the continued growth of both men’s and women’s football across the region.”Asia Football Group, the AFC’s exclusive commercial agency for the 2023–2028 cycle, negotiated the renewal, extending a relationship that began when Visa became a regional partner in 2023.Visa expanded into global sponsorship of AFC club competitions in 2025, while its wider portfolio includes the 2027 Asian Cup and the 2026 U23 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, as well as this year’s Women’s Asian Cup in Australia.Asia Football Group chief executive Patrick Murphy commented: “Visa's expansion into the AFC club competition portfolio is a natural extension of a partnership that has grown from strength to strength. Having Visa as our global payment services partner across the AFC Champions League Elite, AFC Champions League Two and AFC Women's Champions League adds real depth to the fan experience, from the first coin toss to the Final.”