3 weeks ago
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Arsenal are on the search for a new sleeve sponsor after ending their deal with Visit Rwanda at the end of the 2025/26 season, opening up an opportunity for other partners.
Arsenal are in fine shape when it comes to their form on the football pitch, but the hierarchy knows that plenty of work still needs to be done off the pitch to keep the Gunners competitive at the top of the Premier League. The north London outfit have risen from mid-table mediocrity to battle for the biggest of prizes, returning them to a status they haven't had since the late 90s and early 2000s.
With that comes a boost to their finances, with sponsors wanting to be associated with that success, not least with the return of Champions League football in recent seasons. Staying competitive on the financial front means the club can flex their muscle in the transfer market, something they did over the summer, spending roughly £250m on new signings.
The club's revenue is split between matchday income, broadcast rights, and commercial. While Arsenal are looking at an expansion to the Emirates Stadium to help with both the former and the latter, sponsorship deals will also be assessed.
The Gunners made a club-record £218million from commercial deals in the last financial year, while the upcoming accounts are expected to break that once again. Further changes are expected on the sponsorship front, as Arsenal are set to end their deal with Visit Rwanda in 2026.
That sleeve sponsorship has been in place since 2018 and has drawn much criticism, but there is set to be some change over the coming months. The current deal is worth a reported £10million-per-year to Arsenal, which is half that of their rivals Manchester United and Manchester City, who earn £20million from their sleeve sponsors.
It's clear that if the Gunners wish to keep competitive, then their revenue will need to continue scaling with their performances. It's a market that could be even more lucrative by the time the summer of 2026 rolls around, too.
That's because the Premier League are set to enforce their new rules over sponsorship at the end of the season. Clubs won't be able to have a gambling product as their front of shirt sponsor from the end of 2025/26, coming as a huge change for plenty of teams.
The front of shirt sponsor is naturally the most lucrative position on the kit, as it is front and centre, but with that position now vacated, many gambling firms may move on to the sleeve sponsor, which has not been ruled against as part of the change. For Arsenal, there is every chance that a large firm could be willing to make an offer, especially with how competitive the side now are.
It's clearly an area for the hierarchy to level up in, with that gap between their rivals Manchester United and Manchester City appearing in recent seasons. However, there will also be an element of concern from the fanbase as to which sponsors could be involved.
Some Arsenal fans protested the Visit Rwanda sponsorship, showing that it's not just money and success on the pitch that fans are worried about. It's also the sense of identity and being associated with the right brands that matters to some fans.
As a result, it remains to be seen just how selective Arsenal will be over their next sleeve sponsor, balancing income with keeping their fanbase on side.
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