Alibaba E-Auto to sponsor Club World Cup

Soccer’s governing body FIFA announced an eight-year partnership with Alibaba E-Auto, as the exclusive presenting partner of the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins this week. Alibaba E-Auto is an “Internet car” brand co-owned by the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group and SAIC MOTOR.

This is the first major new sponsor contracted by FIFA after a gap of more than two scandal-filled years. Under the deal, the 2015 version of the soccer tournament, beginning next week in Japan, will now be known as the ‘FIFA Club World Cup Presented by Alibaba E-Auto’ until 2022.

This year’s tournament will include eight matches to be held from December 10 to 20 in Japan. As part of the deal, Alibaba E-Auto will present the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the end of each game, including the tournament MVP at the final on December 20. 

In addition to the presenting partnership, Chinese OTT operator Whaley TV has been awarded the exclusive digital rights to broadcast the 2015 FIFA Club World Cup by Ti’ao Power. The two sides announced the rights deal at a press conference held in Shanghai yesterday. 

Source: Sina & businesswire

Proofread by John Devlin