Chelsea Has No Sponsor on Jerseys Ahead of the Season Start

• Chelsea will remain without a sponsor on their jerseys at the start of the season.
• Premier League clubs are refusing sponsorship from gambling companies until 2026.
• New rules have been established for goalkeepers and team captains.

Chelsea is the only Premier League club that has started the 2025-26 season without a sponsor on their jerseys. At that time, Nottingham Forest signed a partnership with the American company Bally's, while Chelsea is negotiating sponsorship deals to find a suitable long-term partner. The club is aiming to secure a deal worth between £60 million to £65 million per season, after they qualified for the Champions League and won the modernized FIFA Club World Cup.

Recently, there have been rumors about potential sponsorship from the new Saudi airline Riyadh Air. Last season, Chelsea did not have a sponsor on their jerseys until the end of April, when they signed a deal with the Dubai-based company Damac.

Changes in Gambling Sponsorship

In the 2024-25 season, 11 Premier League teams had gambling sponsorships on their jerseys, which is an increase of three teams compared to the previous season. However, none of the six richest Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, have a gambling sponsor on their jerseys.

Premier League clubs decided in 2023 to refuse gambling sponsorships on jerseys until the end of the 2025-26 season. They may sign new sponsorship deals for this season's jerseys, but they could still utilize gambling brands in other areas, such as on sleeve patches and LED advertising.

Changes in Premier League Rules

This season, new rules have been introduced, including goalkeepers who hold the ball for more than eight seconds will be penalized with a free kick awarded to the opposing team. This rule aims to reduce time-wasting in the game. Additionally, only team captains can approach referees during matches to avoid unnecessary interruptions and arguments.

A new television contract for the Premier League worth £6.7 billion over four years starts in the 2025-26 season, allowing the broadcasting of up to 270 matches on Sky and TNT.

Tags: Sport/Football/English Premier League