Arsenal are set to unveil a new home kit for the 2026/27 season, which will debut during their final Premier League match against Crystal Palace at the end of May. The kit will feature a major change: the absence of the Visit Rwanda sleeve sponsor, as the long-standing partnership comes to an end this summer.
End of an Era: Visit Rwanda Partnership Concludes
The collaboration between Arsenal and Visit Rwanda began in 2018 and was reportedly worth over £10 million per year, accumulating to approximately £80 million over eight years. While other clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid have extended or signed new deals with the Rwandan tourism board, Arsenal and Visit Rwanda have mutually agreed to part ways after the current season.
Richard Garlick, Chief Executive Officer of Arsenal, expressed gratitude for the partnership, stating: "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." He added that the partnership helped Arsenal invest in their long-term vision to win major trophies in a financially sustainable way.
Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, echoed these sentiments, saying: "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." He confirmed that Rwanda will continue its relationship with the Kroenke Sports & Entertainment Group through partnerships with the LA Rams and So-Fi Stadium.
New Kit Unveiling and Title Race
Arsenal traditionally debut their new home kit on the final day of the season, meaning fans can expect the unveiling within weeks. The new design will be without the Visit Rwanda sleeve logo for the first time since 2018.
This kit change comes at a pivotal moment for the club. Mikel Arteta's side currently sit top of the Premier League, five points clear of Manchester City with three games remaining. Arsenal face West Ham, Burnley, and Crystal Palace in their final fixtures, and winning all three would secure their first league title since the legendary "Invincibles" season of 2003/04.
Additionally, Arsenal have the opportunity to complete a prestigious double. They have qualified for the Champions League final on May 30, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal secured their place with a 2-1 aggregate semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid, while PSG overcame Bayern Munich 6-5 in the other semi-final.
The upcoming weeks promise to be tense and exciting for Arsenal supporters, with both a potential league title and European glory on the line.
