Chelsea finally secures front of shirt sponsor as Blues ink multi-year deal with AI provider IFS for operations across West London club

Chelsea fans have something to cheer about at last.

After months of uncertainty and speculation, the Blues have finally secured a front-of-shirt sponsor.

The club has inked a deal with industrial AI provider IFS, bringing an end to a period when Chelsea was the only Premier League team playing without a main jersey partner.

This move comes after Chelsea spent nearly three seasons without a permanent front-of-shirt sponsor.

The void started after telecoms company Three withdrew in 2023 following the sanctions against former owner Roman Abramovich amid the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

Since then, Chelsea relied on short-term arrangements with companies like Infinite Athlete and Damac Properties, but nothing long-term had been finalized—until now.

The Catch: A Partial Season Branding

The deal with IFS, described as “the world’s leading provider of industrial AI,” has an unusual twist.

While it’s a multi-year agreement running until 2028, the IFS logo will only appear on Chelsea’s shirts for the remainder of this season, which leaves just around three months of game action with the branding visible.

Chelsea president Jason Gannon said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with IFS and leverage their leading edge AI software to help propel the club to even greater success.

This partnership is a statement of intent to keep leading in this field, harnessing the opportunities advanced technology brings and unlocking the power of AI to improve everything we do on and off the pitch.”

The first match featuring the new branding will be Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Burnley this weekend, followed by the women’s team FA Cup tie against Manchester United on Sunday.

Why It Took So Long

One of the sticking points in negotiations was the financial value of the deal.

Chelsea reportedly sought around £65 million per season for a front-of-shirt sponsorship, a number that has been considered ambitious in the post-Abramovich era.

IFS’s agreement is believed to meet the club’s expectations, even if the logo’s jersey presence is limited to this campaign.

Mark Moffat, CEO of IFS, emphasized the strategic alignment between his company and Chelsea: “In sport as in industry, the margins are small, the stakes are high, and the right decision at the right moment is everything.

Chelsea FC holds itself to that same uncompromising standard, and that shared ambition is exactly why we’re proud to be their Principal Partner.”

Beyond the Jersey: AI Across the Club

The partnership isn’t just about putting a logo on shirts. IFS’s AI technology will be integrated across Chelsea’s operations, from logistics and training analytics to broader club management.

The club hopes this will help optimize performance on and off the pitch, showcasing a modern approach to sports management that blends data, innovation, and tradition.

What’s Next?

Fans can expect to see the IFS logo on matchday shirts immediately, while behind-the-scenes implementations of AI will gradually roll out across Chelsea’s operations.

Negotiations for extending jersey branding in subsequent seasons might also be revisited, depending on commercial and strategic alignment.

The deal signals Chelsea’s willingness to embrace tech innovation while seeking financial stability in the post-Abramovich era.

Summary

Chelsea has finally secured a front-of-shirt sponsor after years of uncertainty.

Industrial AI firm IFS will feature on the Blues’ jerseys for the remainder of this season, while the multi-year partnership continues until 2028.

The deal highlights Chelsea’s strategic push to integrate cutting-edge AI across club operations, blending commercial success with technological innovation.

Fans will see the branding in the Premier League and FA Cup this weekend, marking a new chapter in the club’s post-Abramovich era.