Arsenal make major '£80m' decision after ongoing supporter protests against deal

Arsenal have made a big sponsorship announcement involving Visit Rwanda following prolonged fan protests

Arsenal have confirmed their partnership with Visit Rwanda as the club's sleeve sponsor will conclude at the end of the 2025/26 season. The Gunners have faced backlash from supporters of the belief they do not meet the club's "values and standards" with anger heightened by the new deal signed between the two in April.

The agreement, which is reportedly worth more than £10m ($13.3m) per year, has resulted in a group named Gunners for peace being set up in an attempt to make a change which appears to have worked.

A statement posted by the club on Wednesday morning read: "Arsenal and Visit Rwanda to conclude landmark eight-season partnership in June 2026

"Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have mutually agreed to conclude their partnership at the end of this season, bringing to a close an eight-season collaboration that included Visit Rwanda as Arsenal’s first Official Sleeve Partner.

"The move reflects Visit Rwanda’s broader strategy to diversify its global sports partnerships and expand into new markets that support the next phase of its tourism and investment ambitions.

"Together, Arsenal and the Rwanda Development Board have exceeded the original goals of the partnership - promoting conservation and sustainable tourism, inspiring millions of supporters to discover the country, and creating a lasting foundation for tourism growth."

In other attempts to get through to the club, supporter groups also organised a 'visit Tottenham' campaign to send a clear message which appears to have also been received.

Bayern Munich ended their partnership with Visit Rwanda earlier this year after sustained fan pressure. The Arsenal Supporters' Trust had made their displeasure at the deal clear at the most recent Advisory Board meeting.

On the move, Arsenal chief executive office Richard Garlick said: “Our first-ever sleeve partnership with Visit Rwanda has been a significant journey. Over many years, we’ve worked together to raise global awareness of Rwanda’s tourism and conservation efforts and built many new connections with our supporters across Africa.

"The commitment and support of Visit Rwanda throughout our partnership has played an important role in driving forward our ambitions - helping us invest in our long-term vision to win major trophies, in a financially sustainable way. We thank the Rwanda Development Board for their partnership and what we've delivered together."

Jean-Guy Afrika, Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Development Board added: “We are proud of what this partnership has achieved over many years of collaboration. It broke new ground for tourism boards around the world, driving awareness and visitation for Rwandan tourism at a pace traditional campaigns could never match.

"And whilst we are now focused on expanding that momentum into new sports and new markets, we remain grateful to Arsenal for its support, partnership, and shared belief in Rwanda’s story over the past eight years.

"We look forward to continuing our relationship with the wider Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Group through our recent partnerships with the LA Rams and So-Fi Stadium in Los Angeles, and we remain a fully committed and engaged partner of Arsenal’s men’s and women’s teams for the remainder of the season.

"We wish them all the very best in their continuing quest for even more sporting success in the months ahead.”