August 20 – UEFA has announced Hublot as its official licensed watch partner for the Champions League and Europa League in a three-season deal from 2015 to 2018.
The most visible part of the sponsorship are the new, redesigned, fourth official boards that were in action for the first time Tuesday night at the Champions League play-off matches.
The boards are used to indicate added time at the end of a match, as well as player substitution numbers.
A specially designed board will be unveiled incorporating the new Europa League branding at the start of the group stages of the competition.
No figure has been released for the value of the deal which incorporates both of UEFA’s senior club competitions. Generally the marketing contracts for the two competitions are sold separately.
Hublot first starting working with UEFA for Euro2012 and the move to add UEFA’s club competitions is seen as a logical marketing extension by the watchmaker.
Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, said: “It is an immense honour and a privilege for Hublot to become a partner of the major club competitions organised by UEFA. The work we have already performed together is part of the long-term relationship that Hublot has built with UEFA. As partners, we have created an item with an innovative design that reflects the quality of both brands.”
UEFA Events marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein hinted at UEFA branded licensed product as part of the deal, saying: “We are delighted to welcome Hublot as the official licensed watch partner of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. The brand fits perfectly with the prestigious and exciting nature of our top club competitions. We look forward to developing new bespoke timepieces together, as well as seeing the newly designed fourth official boards in action.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1734830414labto1734830414ofdlr1734830414owedi1734830414sni@n1734830414osloh1734830414cin.l1734830414uap1734830414