Emirates renews partnership with Olympique Lyonnais until 2030
(IN SHORT) Emirates has extended its shirt sponsorship agreement with Olympique Lyonnais until the 2029-2030 season, reinforcing its commitment to the French football club and its connection to the Rhône-Alpes region. As part of the renewed partnership, Emirates will continue to support Olympique Lyonnais with significant branding and fan engagement opportunities, including player escort experiences for young fans. The airline also remains dedicated to offering exceptional service to its French passengers, with flights connecting Lyon, Paris, and Nice to Emirates’ global network.
(PRESS RELEASE) DUBAI, 2025-Apr-25 — /Travel PR News/ — Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has announced the extension of its successful partnership with Olympique Lyonnais, one of France’s most celebrated football clubs. The airline will continue as the club’s shirt sponsor through the 2029-2030 season, marking a five-year extension to the collaboration that began in 2020.
“We are excited to reaffirm our commitment to Olympique Lyonnais, a club that holds a special place in the hearts of French football fans,” said Boutros Boutros, Executive Vice President of Corporate Communications, Marketing, and Brand at Emirates. “Since 2020, our sponsorship has brought tremendous visibility to our brand, and we look forward to building on our shared values of excellence, innovation, and community engagement. This extension is a testament to our dedication to Lyon, the Rhône-Alpes region, and France, and we are eager to continue connecting with fans globally.”
John Textor, Owner of Olympique Lyonnais and CEO of Eagle Football Group, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with Emirates for the next five seasons. The strong partnership we’ve built since 2020 will only deepen, and we are excited to bring unforgettable moments of football to our fans together.”
A Continued Commitment to Olympique Lyonnais
As part of the extended agreement, Emirates will retain its position as the official shirt sponsor of Olympique Lyonnais, with the airline’s “fly better” logo proudly displayed on all match and training jerseys, including those worn in Ligue 1 and European competitions, until June 30, 2030.
The sponsorship will also offer Emirates substantial branding opportunities at Groupama Stadium, including player access, hospitality tickets, and rights to marketing, advertising, and social media initiatives. Additionally, Emirates will continue to engage with young fans by offering exclusive player escort experiences, having already partnered with local organizations like ‘The Leon Bérard Centre’ and ‘Hôpital Femme Mère Enfant’ to provide over 23 children with the unique experience of walking with players during home matches.
Emirates’ Ongoing Support for the Region
Emirates’ connection to the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region deepens with this extended partnership. The airline made history in 2012 as the first international carrier to link Lyon to the UAE, and it continues to operate daily flights between Lyon and Dubai. From June 2025, Emirates will upgrade this service to a daily Airbus A350 operation, further strengthening connectivity between Lyon and Emirates’ extensive global network.
In addition to its work with Olympique Lyonnais, Emirates also sponsors the UAE Team Emirates, a prominent cycling team that has triumphed at multiple Tour de France editions, and serves as the Official Airline and Premium Partner of Roland-Garros, one of tennis’ most prestigious events.
Exceptional Service for French Passengers
Emirates continues to serve Paris with 21 weekly flights, including three daily A380 services, and a daily A380 service to Nice. French passengers onboard can enjoy regionally inspired gourmet meals prepared by award-winning chefs, warm hospitality from Emirates’ multinational cabin crew—over 580 of whom are French nationals—and an extensive selection of on-demand entertainment, including French-language content, available on ice, the airline’s acclaimed inflight entertainment system.
For more information, visit emirates.com.
Emirates Public Relations
pr@emirates.com
SOURCE: The Emirates Group
