Football kits may feel incomplete without a gigantic sponsor on them. Whenever a club starts the season without a shirt sponsor, it always raises questions among fans, and Chelsea’s decision not to have a sponsor on their shirt for a while definitely sparked a few debates.
While not having a shirt sponsor may seem unusual due to the missed income, Barcelona went through 111 years without a paid sponsorship on their kits, until they signed a £25m shirt sponsorship with the Qatar Foundation in 2010, according to The Guardian.
Personally, I find sponsor-free kits to look cleaner and stylish, so I tend to update my most recent jersey whenever Chelsea starts the season without a sponsor.
Why Does Chelsea Not Have a Shirt Sponsor in the 2025/26 Season?
Chelsea do not have a shirt sponsor in the 2025/26 season because the club’s owners have refused to accept lower-value offers. Chelsea is holding out for a record-breaking deal worth around £60–65 million per year.
Chelsea’s hierarchy under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital has been unwilling to compromise on commercial value. In recent years, Chelsea has had interest from potential partners, like Saudi airline Riyadh Air and numerous UK betting apps. However, negotiations often stall and fail because Chelsea wants a long-term agreement that matches or exceeds the shirt deals of rivals, like Liverpool and Manchester City.
Man City and Puma’s new agreement is worth £100m-per-year and will run for at least the next 10 years – a record kit deal for a Premier League club 💰 pic.twitter.com/On4ETh9rdc
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 15, 2025
So far, this strategy hasn’t been particularly fruitful, as it has caused Chelsea to start three consecutive seasons without a sponsor. Despite this, the club has had short-term sponsorships with Infinite Athlete (2023/24) and DAMAC (end of 2024/25), which helped plug the potential income gap.
Chelsea Shirt Sponsorship Situation FAQs
Why does Chelsea not Have a Shirt Sponsor?
Chelsea do not have a shirt sponsor because they are still negotiating a new deal after their agreement with DAMAC ended in May 2025.
Who is Chelsea’s Current Shirt Sponsor?
Chelsea currently do not have a shirt sponsor for the 2025/26 season. Their most recent partner was DAMAC.
Did Chelsea Lose Their Sponsors?
Yes. Chelsea lost their most recent sponsor, DAMAC, after the deal expired at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Are Chelsea Without a Shirt Sponsor after Losing Their Last Deal with Infinite Athlete?
Yes. Infinite Athlete’s deal with Chelsea ended in 2024. Following this, Chelsea had a shirt sponsor for a brief period toward the end of the 24/25 season with DAMAC.
Do Infinite Athletes still Sponsor Chelsea?
No. Infinite Athlete doesn’t sponsor Chelsea anymore. Infinite Athlete only sponsored Chelsea during the 2023/24 season and briefly in pre-season 2024.