FA in Search of New Sponsors for the FA Cup

The FA and Budweiser announced that the existing sponsorship will come to an end at the end of this season.

It’s not been a popular partnership in the eyes of fans. Gimmickry such as that with Wembley FC and Terry Venables and special signings will have tarnished the competition. Add in changes to the kick off time away from the traditional 3pm on a Saturday to a Saturday evening there has been some frustration directed at the USA company.

The challenge for the FA will be to find an inclusive sponsor. Budweiser had to exclude the under 18s from their Facebook page, which meant they missed the internet televised game between Ascot and Wembley. There aren’t many companies willing to finance such a sports related sponsorship, and this could well mean that a betting company could be next season’s sponsors.

A selling point for the competition will be the return to the BBC for live games and highlights. BBC will be televising games from the 2014/15 season.

The FA’s Commercial Director, Stuart Turner, said:

The Cup retains a special place in English football and it remains an important competition, not just in England but across the globe.

Next year The FA Cup will move to the BBC’s platforms and we are very excited about its future.