Qatar Airways makes history with partnership at the 69th Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris

(NEWS) DOHA, Qatar, 2025-Sep-18 — /Travel PR News/ — Qatar Airways has secured a historic role as the first ever Presenting Partner of the Ballon d’Or®, football’s most prestigious individual award ceremony. The 69th edition of the event, which honours the world’s best players, will be held on 22 September 2025 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The partnership highlights Qatar Airways’ growing influence in global sport, reinforcing its brand as the “World’s Best Airline” by aligning it with the world’s greatest footballers.

Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said the move reflects the airline’s mission to connect people, cultures, and dreams through the universal passion of sport. UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin welcomed the collaboration, emphasising that the Ballon d’Or represents more than just an award—it is a celebration of football’s legacy and the talent that defines its history.

This partnership strengthens Qatar Airways’ portfolio of global sporting alliances, which already includes FIFA, UEFA Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan, Formula 1, Novak Djokovic, MotoGP, and the Brooklyn Nets, among others. By joining forces with France Football, the organiser of the Ballon d’Or, Qatar Airways is underlining its role as a major player in international sports sponsorship while celebrating excellence both in the skies and on the pitch.

Qatar Airways also celebrated a remarkable “sponsorship treble” in European football, serving as the official sponsor of both UEFA Champions League finalists, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and FC Internazionale Milano, as well as the tournament itself. The 2025 final at Munich’s Allianz Arena on 31 May is set to be a global spectacle, uniting billions of fans around the world. Beyond its prominent presence on matchday, Qatar Airways has elevated the fan experience with exclusive travel packages, unique activations such as a live podcast with Rio Ferdinand, Claude Makélélé, and Julio Cesar, and a special halftime surprise led by Brazil legend Kaká. The airline has also deepened its social impact through a CSR initiative with PSG and Inter, offering children from both clubs’ community programmes an unforgettable “Dream Night” at the final. By combining world-class hospitality, premium travel services, and community-focused initiatives, Qatar Airways continues to strengthen its role as a leading force in global sports sponsorship while celebrating football’s power to connect cultures and inspire fans worldwide.