Emirates Airline has signed a $195million deal to become a FIFA Partner from 2007 to 2014.
In its largest sponsorship deal to date, the Dubai-based airline has rights to all FIFA events - including both the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups - and will benefit from enhanced global media exposure and an association with FIFA's special events and development initiatives.
Emirates is currently an Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, and expects to double in size by the end of its FIFA deal in eight years time.
Emirates Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said: ""It is part of Emirates plan to become a global brand and household name and association with the most high-profile sporting event in the world is one part of Emirates' strategy to achieve that aim.
"It is our intention for the United Arab Emirates to host a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup during the rights period, which would be the first event of its kind to be held in the Arab world."
In addition to hosting a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, Emirates can also choose to host a second official FIFA tournament in the UAE, to further enhance the country's position as a centre of sporting excellence.
A part of its partnership status with FIFA, Emirates has a commitment from FIFA to ensure that at least 22 matches, including the opening match, two quarter-finals, two semi-finals, the third place play off and the final of both the 2010 and the 2014 FIFA World Cups will be shown on free-to-air television within the UAE.
Emirates passengers will also benefit as the airline has the exclusive right to broadcast matches of the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups either live or delayed on its in-flight entertainment systems.
The airline's branding will be evident at all FIFA events during the eight years of this agreement - some 44 tournaments and 952 matches - as well as on all FIFA merchandise and its website.
As FIFA's only Travel Partner, Emirates receives preferred airline status and a commitment from FIFA to develop business with Emirates, including team/association travel wherever possible, to allow the airline to grow through exposure to new customers and to further develop Dubai as one of the world's premier travel hubs and destinations.
http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/index?region=global&news_item_id=159686
<http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/index?region=global&news_item_id=159686>
In its largest sponsorship deal to date, the Dubai-based airline has rights to all FIFA events - including both the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups - and will benefit from enhanced global media exposure and an association with FIFA's special events and development initiatives.
Emirates is currently an Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, and expects to double in size by the end of its FIFA deal in eight years time.
Emirates Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said: ""It is part of Emirates plan to become a global brand and household name and association with the most high-profile sporting event in the world is one part of Emirates' strategy to achieve that aim.
"It is our intention for the United Arab Emirates to host a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup during the rights period, which would be the first event of its kind to be held in the Arab world."
In addition to hosting a FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, Emirates can also choose to host a second official FIFA tournament in the UAE, to further enhance the country's position as a centre of sporting excellence.
A part of its partnership status with FIFA, Emirates has a commitment from FIFA to ensure that at least 22 matches, including the opening match, two quarter-finals, two semi-finals, the third place play off and the final of both the 2010 and the 2014 FIFA World Cups will be shown on free-to-air television within the UAE.
Emirates passengers will also benefit as the airline has the exclusive right to broadcast matches of the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups either live or delayed on its in-flight entertainment systems.
The airline's branding will be evident at all FIFA events during the eight years of this agreement - some 44 tournaments and 952 matches - as well as on all FIFA merchandise and its website.
As FIFA's only Travel Partner, Emirates receives preferred airline status and a commitment from FIFA to develop business with Emirates, including team/association travel wherever possible, to allow the airline to grow through exposure to new customers and to further develop Dubai as one of the world's premier travel hubs and destinations.
http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/index?region=global&news_item_id=159686
<http://www.sportbusiness.com/news/index?region=global&news_item_id=159686>