Manchester United have agreed a training kit deal with Betway worth £20 million a year, according to sources. The Premier League giants had been without a training kit partner for a season but have now finalised a multi-year agreement believed to be the most lucrative training kit-only sponsorship in football history.
Background and Context
From next season, gambling companies are banned from sponsoring the front of shirts of Premier League clubs. This has prompted many teams to seek alternative opportunities, and United appear to have capitalised on the shift. An official announcement is expected in due course, and United declined to comment on the specifics, but it is understood the deal spans several years.
Financial Boost for the Club
The agreement will provide a further financial boost to Old Trafford's accountants and manager Michael Carrick ahead of what promises to be a busy summer. This comes after the impact of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's restructuring was highlighted in the club's latest financial figures. At lunchtime, United reported an operating profit of £37.7 million for the nine months to the end of March and forecast an additional £10 million in revenue by year-end.
Despite a season without European football or a training kit partner, these numbers underscore how effective the co-owner's cost-cutting measures have been since his arrival in December 2024. Following a review, around 400 staff were made redundant at Old Trafford, and numerous savings were implemented to reduce outgoings and increase funds available for the first team.
Improved Financial Performance
United say the figures, compared with a loss of £3.2 million the previous year, demonstrate that the club continues to benefit from operating cost and headcount reduction programs. Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and their teammates have been training in kits without a sponsor, but next year's deal with Betway is expected to be the most lucrative of its kind.
United have worn the logo of US technology brand Snapdragon on their match shirts since 2023, in a deal running until 2029. While much depends on player sales, Carrick, whose temporary spell was made permanent last week, should have around £150 million to spend in the upcoming transfer window.
Champions League Revenue
Alongside the Betway boost, qualification for the Champions League is expected to net the club around £80 million, with potential for more should Carrick oversee a deep run in the competition. For the fiscal year 2026, United has increased its revenue guidance from £655 million to £665 million and its EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) to between £200 million and £210 million.
In the business world, EBITDA is a gauge of a company's profitability. The club continues to pay off historic transfer debts and expects to lose money when all costs are calculated. However, they believe things are now moving in the right direction.
CEO Statement
Omar Berrada, United's chief executive, said: "We feel very positive about the club's progress this season and the continuing positive impact of our business transformation initiatives. Finishing third in the Premier League and securing qualification to next season's UEFA Champions League is testament to our men's team's improved form on the pitch. Michael Carrick has done an excellent job in the 17 games he has overseen, and we are delighted that he will continue as Head Coach."
He added: "Our women's team reached the quarter-final in the UEFA Women's Champions League and also reached the final of the League Cup for the first time and will be participating once again in the World Sevens Series. On the academy side, reaching the FA Youth Cup and PL2 play-off finals is also an indication of our continued commitment to youth development."
United's debt, a legacy of the Glazer family's leveraged takeover, remains at $650 million.
