Chelsea signs one-year Circle shirt deal

Chelsea has agreed a front-of-shirt sponsorship with Circle, making USDC their official shirt sponsor for the 2026/27 season across men’s, women’s and academy teams, with a one-year deal that could extend. While terms were not disclosed, reports estimate around £50-60 million per year, lower than earlier reporting. The branding will debut at Chelsea’s home match against Brighton this Sunday. The deal marks a historic first for a cryptocurrency-focused sponsor in the Premier League and positions Circle and USDC as mainstream payments infrastructure. Chelsea chiefs described the partnership as aligning with long-term innovation, while Circle emphasized digital‑nature of payments and global reach. The arrangement comes amid regulatory scrutiny, including FCA warnings about crypto partnerships, highlighting risks as crypto brands widen sports sponsorships.