Stablecoin issuer Circle has signed a sponsorship agreement with Premier League club Chelsea, becoming the club’s principal partner and official front-of-shirt sponsor. Under the announcement released on Friday, Circle and USDC branding will appear on kits worn by Chelsea’s men’s, women’s and academy teams starting in the 2026/27 season. The companies did not disclose the value or duration of the deal.
Circle framed the partnership as a sign that stablecoins are moving beyond early adoption and onto a much larger global stage. CEO Jeremy Allaire said USDC was built on the idea that money should work for everyone around the world in the same way the internet does, and said the Chelsea tie-up links the company to a global sports community built around a similar borderless vision. Chelsea chairman Jason Gannon said the agreement puts the club at the front of football’s digital evolution.
The deal comes as the crypto sector rebuilds its sports sponsorship presence after the 2022 market downturn. The backdrop in the UK is also notable: the Financial Conduct Authority warned Premier League and other football clubs in June to be cautious about sponsorship deals with unauthorized crypto firms. Circle holds an FCA electronic money institution license in the UK.
Stablecoin issuer Circle has signed a sponsorship agreement with Premier League club Chelsea, becoming the team’s principal partner and official front-of-shirt sponsor.
According to the announcement released on Friday, Circle and USDC branding will appear on kits worn by Chelsea’s men’s, women’s and academy teams starting in the 2026/27 season. Chelsea is also set to wear shirts carrying the Circle and USDC marks for the first time in its home match against Brighton on Sunday.
What the two sides said
Circle said stablecoins are moving from early adoption into the mainstream, and bringing USDC to one of the biggest global stages in sport reflects the scale of that opportunity and the company’s ambition.
Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire said USDC was built on the idea that 「money should work as seamlessly for everyone around the world as the internet」, and said the partnership with Chelsea connects the company with a global sports community built on the same borderless vision.
Chelsea chairman Jason Gannon said the agreement places Chelsea at the front of football’s digital evolution.
Deal terms not disclosed
The financial terms and the length of the agreement were not disclosed.
Industry backdrop
The partnership arrives as the crypto industry rebuilds its sports sponsorship footprint after the 2022 market downturn. Earlier deals included Crypto.com’s $700 million, 20-year naming-rights agreement for the former Staples Center, while OKX also partnered with Manchester City.
In June this year, the UK Financial Conduct Authority warned Premier League and other football clubs to be cautious about sponsorship agreements with unauthorized crypto companies. Circle holds an FCA electronic money institution license in the UK.
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