Newcastle signs new Asian deal with Fun88

Through the new multi-year deal, Fun88 will support Newcastle United’s growth in Asia. This will involve in-market initiatives, official club merchandise and VIP experiences for supporters.

“The club thanks Fun88 for its support over the past six campaigns and looks forward to working together over coming seasons,” said Newcastle United in a statement.

The Asian gaming and sports betting operator has been the clubs principal sponsor since the 2017-18 season, with the brand’s logo featuring prominently on the front of the team’s shirt.

While the company receives the majority of its traffic from the Asian markets, Fun88 is cleared to advertise in the UK through a white label licence with TGP Holdings.

In April, the English Premier League agreed to end the practice of gambling sponsorship on the front of match day shirts. The halt of the gambling sponsorship is set to enter into effect from the end of the 2025-26 season.

While deals can continue in place until that date, according to media reports, Newcastle has negotiated an early exit from the Fun88 shirt deal, with the club to announce a new Middle Eastern shirt sponsor later this week.  

The Premier League opted to undertake the voluntary shirt ban in the lead up to the Gambling Act Review white paper – within which the action was one of the principal marketing restrictions to be implemented.