UEFA and Fanatics have announced a long-term e-commerce, event retail and licensing deal. The national team football deal, for both the men’s and women’s games, is an extension of the previous event retail partnership and will see Fanatics gain e-commerce rights and the right to design and manufacture unbranded apparel. 

Fanatics will exclusively operate the e-commerce business for UEFA’s national team competitions and will become the master licensee for its full merchandise portfolio with UEFA taking advantage of Fanatics’ vertical commerce model. The new partnership will see Fanatics continue to operate event retail at UEFA’s major international events, including Euro 2024, Women’s Euro 2025 and Euro 2028. 

“We are delighted and excited to have agreed this long-term partnership with Fanatics, who are a market-leader in their field,” says Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director, UEFA. “Our national team competitions for both the men’s and women’s game are some of the most followed sporting events across the globe and together, we are looking forward to offering fans an extensive range of merchandise so that the memories of these great tournaments remain with them for years to come.”  

“UEFA is one of the most respected brands in global sport and we are proud to be chosen to deliver their retail and merchandise solutions,” says Matthew Primack, senior vice-president, international business development, Fanatics. “Fanatics is poised to provide UEFA with its first fully integrated e-commerce, event retail and licensed program, and service a truly world class integrated experience for fans, regardless of whether they choose to shop online, at an event or at a retail store.” 

Related:10 Minutes With … Fanatics

The long-term partnership means that Fanatics will create products or license the rights to category leaders in their respective fields to manufacture and distribute a significantly expanded, real-time selection of UEFA branded products thereby enhancing the choice and experience for fans of European National football. 

Fanatics is exhibiting at Brand Licensing Europe. For more information about BLE, click here.