CFD trading is a complex, often misunderstood niche of the financial industry. Unlike traditional investing, CFD trading allows individuals to speculate on price movements without owning the underlying asset, whether it’s stocks, commodities, or currencies. With high leverage and risk, the product attracts a very specific profile: financially curious, tech-savvy, and looking for dynamic opportunities.
To broaden appeal and humanize their brand, brokers have turned to the world’s most passionate pastime: sports.
- Emotional Impact: Sponsorships create a visceral connection with fans, building trust through affiliation with beloved clubs.
- Brand Recognition: Having a logo on a jersey or stadium banner delivers visibility that digital ads alone can’t match.
- Market Expansion: Football clubs have global followings, especially in Asia and Africa, regions where CFD adoption is rising.
The Biggest Moves in Football Sponsorships
2024–2025 saw a flurry of deals between brokers and top-tier football teams:
| CFD Broker | Football Club | Type of Sponsorship | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| iFOREX Europe | Ferencvárosi TC | Back-of-shirt sponsor | 2025 |
| EC Markets | Liverpool FC | Global Partner | 2025 |
| IUX | Fulham FC | Official CFD Trading Partner | 2024 |
| ZERO Markets | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Digital & interactive sponsor | 2025 |
| Libertex | FC Bayern Munich | Premium club partnership | 2024 |
| eToro | Slavia Prague | Shirt sponsor | 2024 |
Beyond Europe, brokers are also eyeing Latin American and Asian leagues, where fan engagement is intense and digital trading is expanding rapidly.
Not Just Football: F1, Esports, and More
While football dominates, CFD brokers are increasingly venturing into other realms:
- FxPro and AvaTrade maintain strong visibility in Formula One, leveraging the sport’s elite image and global reach.
- Plus500 made headlines by entering esports sponsorships, a move to connect with younger, tech-native audiences.
- Pepperstone and IG Group have flirted with deals in rugby, cricket, and tennis, especially targeting the Australian and UK markets.
What’s in It for the Brokers?
These deals aren’t cheap. Industry insiders estimate that top-flight football sponsorships can cost:
- $2–$15 million annually, depending on the club and activation level
- Additional costs for player appearances, hospitality packages, and digital marketing
But the return on investment goes beyond numbers. Sponsorships reinforce credibility, especially in regions where CFDs face regulatory scrutiny or low public awareness.
Psychological Trading Meets Emotional Fandom
There’s an oddly poetic overlap between trading and sports:
- Both require discipline, strategy, and emotional control
- Both offer high stakes and moments of triumph or despair
- Both are followed passionately—whether by day traders watching candlesticks or football fans glued to injury-time drama
CFD brokers understand this synergy. By aligning themselves with champions, they position their platforms as winning arenas for financial empowerment.
In the battle for attention and trust, CFD brokers are no longer trading in silence—they’re cheering from the sidelines. As more partnerships emerge and the line between sport and finance continues to blur, don’t be surprised if your favorite striker ends up celebrating with a branded trading app in hand.
Football Sponsorships
IC Markets × La Liga & Bundesliga
IC Markets secured sponsorships with 12 football clubs across Spain and Germany, including Real Sociedad, Athletic Club Bilbao, and Bayer Leverkusen. The deal includes LED branding, VIP experiences, and merchandise access.
Axi × Manchester City
Axi has been the Official Online Trading Partner of Manchester City since 2020. The partnership spans both the men’s and women’s teams, with regional activations and branded content like the “City Slickers” campaign.
Doo Group × Manchester United
In early 2023, Doo Group became the Official Financial Trading Partner of Manchester United, leveraging the club’s massive global fanbase for brand visibility.
ThinkMarkets × Liverpool FC
ThinkMarkets joined Liverpool’s sponsorship roster in 2021, focusing on digital engagement and global reach.
Global Kapital Group × Arsenal FC
This 2019 partnership helped Global Kapital Group tap into Arsenal’s strong presence in Africa and Asia.
Basketball & Beyond
- TMGM × Brooklyn Nets
TMGM signed a multi-year deal with the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, marking its first major U.S. sports sponsorship. The partnership includes courtside branding and digital content, aimed at younger, mobile-first audiences. - TMGM × Chelsea FC
TMGM also extended its partnership with Chelsea FC, maintaining its role as the Official Regional Online Forex and Trading Partner in Asia Pacific.
Formula One & Other Sports
- FxPro & AvaTrade × Formula One
These brokers maintain active sponsorships in F1, capitalizing on the sport’s high-performance image and global reach. - Plus500 × Chicago Bulls & Atalanta BC
Plus500 has diversified its sports portfolio with deals in both NBA basketball and Serie A football, targeting fans in the U.S. and Italy
Photo by Vienna Reyes on Unsplash
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