Manchester City Football Club and OKX, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 technology innovator, have announced a significant expansion of their partnership, naming OKX as the Club’s Official Sleeve Partner for both the men’s and women’s first teams. This multi-year agreement marks a pivotal moment in the evolving relationship between sports and digital innovation.
Under the newly strengthened collaboration, the OKX logo will appear on the left sleeve of all official matchday kits worn by Manchester City’s elite squads. The branding will also continue on training wear and extend across a broad range of digital and physical fan engagement platforms, reinforcing OKX’s deep integration into the Club’s global outreach.
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A Strategic Evolution in Sports-Tech Collaboration
Originally launched in March 2022, the partnership began as a forward-thinking alignment between two innovation-driven organizations. By July of that year, it had already evolved with OKX becoming the Club’s Official Training Kit Partner for the 2022/23 season. Now, this latest milestone positions OKX at the forefront of football jersey branding—an honor reserved for elite commercial collaborators.
The announcement was made during an exclusive event at the Etihad Stadium, attended by key figures including Ferran Soriano, Chief Executive Officer of City Football Group, and Haider Rafique, Global Chief Marketing Officer of OKX. The reveal featured a futuristic “virtual unveiling” using player avatars in a cinematic hero video, highlighting the role of immersive technology in modern sports marketing.
Manchester City legend Gaël Clichy joined the event for a media Q&A session, underscoring the emotional connection between past heroes and future-facing initiatives. The evening emphasized not just brand visibility, but a shared vision: leveraging Web3 to redefine how fans interact with their favorite teams.
Driving Fan Engagement Through Web3 Innovation
At the heart of this expanded partnership lies a commitment to innovative fan engagement. OKX has already introduced Manchester City supporters to groundbreaking digital experiences through initiatives like the OKX Collective Metaverse, where fans can engage with digital avatars of players and brand ambassadors such as Jack Grealish and Alex Greenwood.
These experiences go beyond traditional sponsorship models—they offer interactive access, exclusive content, and community-driven events that deepen loyalty and global reach. From NFT collectibles to gamified challenges, OKX is helping build a new era of sports fandom rooted in decentralization, ownership, and immersion.
“We always intended to integrate with the sport and help the Club lead on leaning into Web3,” said Haider Rafique. “Fast forward fifteen months, we now have a metaverse, an NFT initiative, and a number of other new projects that we are excited about.”
This synergy reflects a broader trend: elite sports franchises embracing blockchain and digital assets to connect with younger, tech-savvy audiences across continents.
Leadership Insights: A Shared Vision for the Future
During a panel discussion moderated by Manchester City presenter Natalie Pike, Soriano and Rafique explored how technology can enhance emotional connections between clubs and fans.
Ferran Soriano emphasized the mutual drive for excellence and innovation:
“We are very proud to have OKX represented on the sleeve of the Manchester City shirt. 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.”
Rafique echoed this sentiment, highlighting the rapid progress since the initial collaboration:
“The journey with the Man City team has been incredible. Manchester City was our first official global brand partnership, and in just a year and a half we’ve come a long way… As the Club’s Official Cryptocurrency Exchange Partner, fans can expect amazing things every time they interact with OKX.”
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Why This Partnership Matters in Modern Sports
This deal isn’t just about branding—it represents a strategic shift in how football clubs monetize engagement and expand their digital footprint. With Manchester City boasting one of the most international fan bases in world football, OKX gains unparalleled access to millions of passionate supporters across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Moreover, the inclusion of both men’s and women’s teams underscores a growing recognition of gender equality in sports sponsorship—a progressive move that aligns with broader societal values.
The integration extends beyond apparel. OKX leverages its ecosystem—including its self-custody OKX Wallet, compatible with decentralized exchanges (DEXs), NFT marketplaces, DeFi protocols, GameFi apps, and thousands of dApps—to create seamless pathways for fans to participate in digital ecosystems tied to their favorite club.
Core Keywords Driving Visibility
To ensure strong search engine performance and audience discovery, this article naturally incorporates high-intent keywords relevant to both sports and technology audiences:
- Manchester City sponsorship
- OKX crypto partnership
- Web3 fan engagement
- Football metaverse
- NFTs in sports
- Cryptocurrency exchange sponsorship
- Digital collectibles football
- Blockchain in sports marketing
These terms reflect real user search behaviors and support organic visibility across platforms like Google and social discovery engines.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does "Official Sleeve Partner" mean?
It means OKX’s logo will be displayed on the left sleeve of Manchester City’s men’s and women’s first-team match kits. This is one of the most visible sponsorship placements in modern football.
Is OKX the first crypto brand on Manchester City’s sleeve?
Yes—this marks the first time a cryptocurrency exchange has held sleeve rights for Manchester City, making it a landmark deal in football-commercial history.
How long is the partnership agreement?
While exact terms are confidential, it is confirmed as a multi-year agreement, indicating long-term strategic alignment between OKX and Manchester City.
What Web3 experiences have been launched so far?
Fans have accessed the OKX Collective Metaverse, participated in NFT drops featuring player likenesses, and engaged with interactive digital campaigns involving ambassadors like Jack Grealish.
Does OKX sponsor other sports teams?
Yes—OKX also partners with McLaren Formula 1, The Tribeca Festival, golfer Ian Poulter, Olympian Scotty James, and F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, showcasing its global influence across sports and culture.
Is my data safe if I participate in OKX fan experiences?
OKX emphasizes transparency and security. It publishes monthly Proof of Reserves reports to verify asset backing and promote trust within its ecosystem.
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Looking Ahead: The Future of Sports x Technology
As football continues to evolve beyond the pitch, partnerships like this set new benchmarks for what’s possible when cutting-edge technology meets global sport. With Manchester City’s competitive dominance under Pep Guardiola and OKX’s leadership in Web3 infrastructure, this alliance is poised to deliver ongoing innovations—from token-gated experiences to augmented reality match viewing.
For fans, it means deeper access. For brands, it signals a new playbook for engagement. And for the industry, it confirms that blockchain and digital ownership are no longer fringe concepts—they’re central to the future of sports entertainment.
This expanded partnership isn’t just a sponsorship; it’s a statement about where football is headed—and who’s building that future.