Etihad Airways has signed on to be the Official Front of Shirt sponsor of Mumbai City Football Club in a multi-year partnership starting from the 2024-25 season.

The move, according to a media statement put out by the football club, demonstrates Etihad’s continued commitment to the Indian market and Mumbai City’s profile as one of the top-performing professional sports teams in India having won two Indian Super League (ISL) titles and two Indian Super League Cups.

The deal, which is a record in Indian football in terms of duration, coincides with Etihad celebrating 20 years of flying to India and will see the Etihad Airways logo feature prominently on the front side of Mumbai City FC’s first and youth team match shirts and training kits from the 2024-25 season.

The partnership builds upon the decades-long connection between the home countries of the two organisations and reinforces the shared values of teamwork and excellence.

Kandarp Chandra, CEO of Mumbai City FC, commented, “We are incredibly happy to bring Etihad on board as our Official Front of Shirt Sponsor. Their endorsement is a testament to the brand of football Mumbai City plays — one that is committed to performance and the pursuit of excellence on and off the field. Both Etihad and Mumbai City are proud to represent resilient global cities that balance tradition with modernity.”

Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Airways, said, “We strive to enrich our presence in the Indian market through relevant and meaningful partnerships, and we’re thrilled to welcome Mumbai City FC to the Etihad family. India continues to be a strategically important market for Etihad and we remain committed to serving the Indian community with convenient connections from 11 destinations across India to the Middle East, Europe and North America.”

“Through our partnership with Mumbai City FC, we hope to bring joy to the football-loving community across Mumbai,” continued Neves.

Mumbai City FC, formed in August 2014, is a club competing in the ISL. The club also participates in the Super Cup (since 2017) and the Durand Cup (since 2022). The Islanders, as the club is fondly known, is the only club in India to have won the unique ‘double’ — winning the ISL League and the ISL Cup in the 2020/21 season.