Chelsea Reveal Home Kit for 2023-24 Season Without Front-of-Shirt Sponsor
Chelsea Football Club have revealed their home kit for the 2023-24 season without a front-of-shirt sponsor. The club’s previous shirt deal with telecommunications company Three expired at the end of last season and was not renewed. The Premier League blocked a deal with streaming service Paramount+ due to concerns about upsetting its broadcast rights holders. Chelsea also decided against a shirt sponsorship agreement with an online gambling company, after the club’s supporters’ trust spoke out against such a partnership.
In April, the Premier League announced that gambling sponsors would be withdrawn from the front of shirts by the end of the 2025-26 season. Chelsea’s new home kit will go on sale on the website and in their shop on 16 August, three days after their opening Premier League game against Liverpool. It will go on wide sale on 23 August.
Analysis: Chelsea Intend to Have Sponsor
BBC Sport’s Simon Stone has reported that Chelsea do intend to have a front-of-shirt sponsor this season, but it is likely that they will go on their pre-season tour of the United States without one. This is not the first time this has happened, as Nottingham Forest did not have a sponsor on their shirts when they started last season.
The complexities involved in these deals are highlighted by Chelsea’s situation. The club’s first option was Paramount+, but the Premier League ruled that out due to concerns about upsetting current broadcasters. Talks with alternatives continue, but Chelsea felt it was important to release the kit to allow fans to buy them in August as the season begins.
Conclusion
Chelsea Football Club have revealed their home kit for the 2023-24 season without a front-of-shirt sponsor. The club’s previous shirt deal with telecommunications company Three expired at the end of last season and was not renewed, while the Premier League blocked a deal with streaming service Paramount+ due to concerns about upsetting its broadcast rights holders. Chelsea also decided against a shirt sponsorship agreement with an online gambling company, after the club’s supporters’ trust spoke out against such a partnership. The new home kit will go on sale on 16 August, three days after their opening Premier League game against Liverpool, and will go on wide sale on 23 August. BBC Sport’s Simon Stone has reported that Chelsea do intend to have a front-of-shirt sponsor this season, but it is likely that they will go on their pre-season tour of the United States without one. Talks with alternatives continue, but Chelsea felt it was important to release the kit to allow fans to buy them in August as the season begins.