Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea – who won the Club World Cup in the summer months – have endured a mixed start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, but fans have noticed that (once again!) the west Londoners have started the season with no front-of-shirt sponsor. The reason why has been revealed.
A 0-0 draw with fellow London outfit Crystal Palace kick-started this season’s domestic proceedings, but that was followed up by a rather routine 5-1 win over West Ham United. But, in both games, the club played without a front-of-shirt sponsor.
Given that Chelsea are the only team – of the 20 in the Premier League – to have done so, it does look rather strange. That said, it isn’t an unusual sight for the Blues, who played 2024/25 without one until signing an agreement with DAMAC Properties in April 2025.
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As part of the aforementioned deal, DAMAC’s logo appeared on the front of Chelsea’s shirts for the remainder of 2024/25 – but the mutual partnership expired in the lead-up to the capital club’s successful Club World Cup campaign in the United States.
The reason why Chelsea do not have a front-of-shirt sponsor – regardless of whether it’s the home, away or third strip – is because there is currently an ongoing competitive process for companies looking to win the rights to be plastered over the front of the reigning Europa Conference League winners’ shirt.
Reportedly, as expected, given the size, stature and credibility of the Premier League club, the west Londoners have received offers aplenty – but they are solely focused on finding a long-term partner that aligns with their club beliefs and values.
In fact, the two-time Premier League winners were in dialogue with two major companies last year and, according to The Telegraph, the discussions relating to the potential long-term agreement were touted around the £40 million mark.
Chelsea, obviously, opted against entering an agreement in the hopes of earning a higher fee with the club’s Club World Cup success over the summer, and qualification for this season’s Champions League, boosting their chances. They are now aiming to strike a deal worth between £60 and 65 million per season.
New Saudi Arabia airline Riyadh Air are among those companies to be strongly linked to a potential sponsorship – and Chelsea’s decision to resist entering a partnership too prematurely is expected to pay off handsomely if they are to strike a loftier deal.
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This season, as mentioned, is not the only time that Chelsea have gone without a sponsor on the front of their shirts. As well as 2024/25, they also began the 2023/24 campaign sponsor-less before agreeing a £40 million-plus deal with Infinite Athlete.
Although Chelsea currently do not have a front-of-shirt sponsor, their triumvirate of kits this term does feature the Club World Cup badge – and that is something they will hold on to until 2029, when the Blues will be given the chance to defend their title.