Manchester United are actively engaged in negotiations to secure a new sleeve sponsor, facing a potential £20 million annual financial shortfall as their current agreement with DXC Technology is set to conclude.
The Expiring Partnership
The technology firm DXC Technology first appeared on the sleeves of Manchester United's kits in the summer of 2022. This multi-year deal, valued at a substantial £20 million per season, is scheduled to expire at the end of the 2025/26 campaign. For four consecutive seasons, the DXC logo has been featured on the club's home, away, and third kits, granting the company global brand exposure.
The partnership extended beyond simple branding, with DXC also collaborating to enhance how the club engages with its global fanbase through digital platforms.
A Broader Sponsorship Reshuffle
The search for a new sleeve partner coincides with another significant sponsorship vacancy. The club's training kit agreement with Tezos, worth £24 million per season This deal had seen the first-team and women's squads wear Tezos-branded training gear for the past three years. The expiration was highlighted by the fact that while new signing Matheus Cunha was pictured in a Tezos hoodie, the deal had lapsed by the time Bryan Mbeumo arrived at the club. This period of change follows the departure of another partner, Marriott International, which decided not to renew its sponsorship after the contract ran out in the summer as part of company-wide cost-cutting measures. Despite these changes, club insiders have indicated there is a "strong pipeline" of potential partners for both the sleeve and training kit sponsorships. This confidence appears to be backed by the club's formidable commercial performance. In a remarkable demonstration of their brand strength, United announced record financial results in September. The club posted record revenues of £666.5 million, which included record commercial revenue of £333.3 million and record matchday revenue of £160.3 million. These financial milestones were achieved despite a disappointing 15th-place finish in the Premier League and a loss in the Europa League final. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire commented on this resilience, stating, "It shows that Manchester United are shockproof... they have delivered commercially despite on-pitch results." The Premier League first permitted sleeve sponsorship starting from the 2017/18 season. United's first sleeve sponsor was Kohler, before DXC Technology took over the position in 2022. The club now faces the critical task of securing a new partner to fill the impending financial gap and continue its record-breaking commercial trajectory.Commercial Confidence Despite On-Pitch Struggles
