The world of sports and blockchain continue to converge as OKX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange, deepens its ties with one of football’s most dominant clubs—Manchester City. In a landmark move, OKX has secured the role of the team’s official sleeve sponsor in a multi-year deal reportedly worth over $70 million. This expansion marks a significant milestone in crypto’s growing influence within global sports marketing.
A Strategic Expansion in Sports Partnerships
Under the new agreement, OKX branding will appear on the left sleeve of both Manchester City’s men’s and women’s first-team jerseys. The partnership covers all competitive matches across domestic and international tournaments, giving the brand unprecedented visibility among millions of fans worldwide.
This isn’t the first time OKX has partnered with the Premier League giants. The relationship began in March 2022, when OKX became Manchester City’s official cryptocurrency partner. It was later expanded to include sponsorship of the team's training kits. Now, with this latest development, OKX solidifies its presence at the heart of one of the most successful football franchises in modern history.
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Manchester City: A Global Powerhouse On and Off the Pitch
Manchester City's on-field success has translated into massive commercial growth. The club recently completed a historic "treble", winning the Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League in a single season—an achievement that underscores their dominance in European football.
Off the pitch, the club is equally impressive. With annual revenue reaching $780 million**, Manchester City leads all soccer teams globally in financial performance. According to *Brand Finance*, the club also boasts the **most valuable football brand in the world**, estimated at **$1.6 billion.
This financial strength makes Manchester City an attractive partner for forward-thinking brands like OKX, especially those aiming to reach a global, tech-savvy audience through innovative digital experiences.
Driving Blockchain Adoption Through Sports
For OKX, this partnership goes beyond traditional advertising. The goal is to educate fans about blockchain technology and demonstrate real-world applications beyond speculative trading.
“Our Manchester City partnership is intended to help the world learn more about blockchain and its use cases, including what we can do with our partnership to go beyond fan tokens,” said Haider Rafique, CMO of OKX. “We believe Web3 infrastructure allows fans to have more transparency and ownership and interact with their favorite players in a new way.”
To bring this vision to life, OKX has launched several fan-focused initiatives:
- A free-to-mint NFT commemorating Manchester City’s UEFA Champions League victory
- An immersive OKX Collective metaverse experience featuring appearances by team stars
These efforts reflect a broader trend: using sports partnerships not just for brand exposure, but as platforms for digital innovation and community building.
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Why Crypto Sponsorships Still Matter
Despite turbulence in the crypto industry—most notably the collapse of FTX in late 2022—sports organizations continue to welcome blockchain partners. The failure of some high-profile deals hasn’t dampened long-term interest; instead, it’s helped separate serious players from short-term opportunists.
OKX’s sustained investment signals confidence in both the future of digital assets and the power of sports to drive mainstream adoption. Unlike previous crypto sponsorships focused solely on visibility, OKX is integrating blockchain utility into fan experiences—offering tangible value rather than just logos on jerseys.
Other major sports entities have taken notice. OKX also holds partnerships with McLaren Racing in Formula 1 and Majestics GC in LIV Golf, further demonstrating its commitment to bridging high-performance sports with next-generation technology.
Fan Ambassadors and Community Engagement
Adding authenticity to the campaign, two prominent Manchester City players—Jack Grealish (men’s team) and Alex Greenwood (women’s team)—serve as official ambassadors for OKX. Their involvement helps humanize the brand and connects blockchain technology with real athlete stories.
By aligning with respected figures in the sport, OKX strengthens trust among fans who may be unfamiliar or skeptical about cryptocurrency. It also highlights the company’s inclusive approach by featuring representation from both the men’s and women’s squads.
Core Keywords Integration
This strategic partnership exemplifies how brands can leverage top-tier sports platforms to promote blockchain education, enhance fan engagement, and scale Web3 adoption. Key themes throughout this collaboration include:
- Cryptocurrency exchange
- Soccer sponsorship
- NFT collectibles
- Web3 fan experiences
- Blockchain in sports
- Digital ownership
- Manchester City
- OKX
These keywords naturally emerge from the narrative, ensuring strong alignment with search intent while avoiding forced repetition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the value of OKX’s new sponsorship deal with Manchester City?
The multi-year agreement is valued at over $70 million, making it one of the largest crypto-related sports sponsorships to date.
Where will OKX’s logo appear on Manchester City’s jerseys?
The OKX branding will be featured on the left sleeve of both the men’s and women’s first-team match jerseys.
Is OKX available in all countries?
No. While OKX serves over 50 million users across 180 markets, its exchange services are not available in the United States or Canada due to regulatory considerations.
What Web3 initiatives has OKX launched with Manchester City?
OKX has released a free-to-mint NFT celebrating the club’s Champions League win and created an interactive metaverse experience through the OKX Collective featuring player avatars.
Why are sports teams partnering with crypto companies?
Sports organizations partner with crypto firms to access global audiences, drive digital innovation, and create new revenue streams through NFTs, fan tokens, and immersive online experiences.
Does this sponsorship include fan tokens?
While fan tokens are part of broader industry trends, OKX emphasizes going beyond fan tokens by focusing on education, digital collectibles, and deeper Web3 integration.
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Looking Ahead: The Future of Sports and Web3
As blockchain technology matures, partnerships like the one between OKX and Manchester City will likely become blueprints for future collaborations. Rather than fleeting marketing stunts, these alliances are evolving into long-term ecosystems where fans gain real utility—ownership of digital memorabilia, access to exclusive content, and new ways to connect with their favorite teams.
With Manchester City continuing to set records on the pitch and OKX pushing boundaries off it, this partnership represents more than just a jersey logo—it's a step toward a more interactive, transparent, and inclusive future for sports fans everywhere.
By combining elite athletics with cutting-edge technology, OKX is not only expanding its global footprint but also helping accelerate mainstream understanding of blockchain’s transformative potential.