The Arsenal squad will see a change to their kit’s branding at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Throughout their existence, a limited number of companies have appeared on the shirts of the North London team, beginning with JVC in the eighties, followed by SEGA Dreamcast near the start of the new millennium. Subsequently, O2 took over in the 2000s, before Emirates airline became the sponsor upon the move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006.
Presently, Arsenal’s initial agreement to have a sleeve sponsor, promoting Rwanda, is set to end – a decision welcomed by a section of supporters.
Through an announcement on Arsenal.com, the club mentioned that their “significant eight-season collaboration with Visit Rwanda would draw to a close following the 2025/26 season.
Confirming the “mutually agreed” decision, Arsenal highlighted that the sponsorship had “displayed Rwanda’s scenic landscapes and boosted the advancement of the country’s tourism sector”, while mentioning that several players including Jurrien Timber and Alex Scott had visited Rwanda since the beginning of the agreement.
“Our inaugural sleeve partnership with Visit Rwanda has been an important journey,” said Arsenal CEO Richard Garlick, adding, “For an extended period, we’ve collaborated to enhance global understanding of Rwanda’s tourism and conservation work and cultivated connections with our fans throughout Africa.”
However, the arrangement has not been universally appreciated.
A segment of Arsenal supporters has requested the club to discontinue its association with Visit Rwanda, with some proposing that Tottenham Hotspur would be a more suitable partner, given the Congolese government’s accusations against Rwanda for allegedly providing support to M23 rebels and deploying troops to aid militants, accusations Rwanda has refuted.
Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also sponsored by Visit Rwanda, with the partnership of the German team facing similar complaints and a petition signed by 75,000 fans demanding its termination.
Last month, The Athletic mentioned that Arsenal was negotiating to prolong the sleeve deal, which started in 2018 and was extended in 2021.
Arsenal’s financials for 2023/24 showed that the agreement contributed £10 million to a total commercial revenue of £218.3m.
Arsenal will play against Tottenham in the North London Derby when the Premier League resumes this weekend.
