Chelsea FC Names Pegasus Airlines as Official Airline Partner in Multi-Year Deal.

Roger Hampel

Image: Chelsea FC

Chelsea FC has signed a new global, multi-year partnership with Pegasus Airlines, appointing the carrier as the club’s Official Airline Partner across both its men’s and women’s teams. The agreement adds a travel and mobility partner to Chelsea’s top-tier commercial portfolio at a time when airlines are increasingly using football sponsorships to support international expansion strategies.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Airline Sponsorships as Market Access Tools

For Pegasus Airlines, the partnership provides access to Chelsea FC’s global audience as the airline continues to expand beyond its core markets. Founded in 2005, Pegasus operates a low-cost, digital-first business model and currently serves 158 destinations across 55 countries. The airline has positioned itself as one of the more profitable operators in its segment, supported by a young, fuel-efficient fleet.

Recent strategic moves — including a 200-aircraft order and an agreement to acquire Czech Airlines and Smartwings — underline Pegasus’ ambition to strengthen its European footprint. Football sponsorships offer a scalable platform to support brand visibility in competitive markets, particularly in the UK and Western Europe.

Chelsea FC’s Integrated Partnership Model

For Chelsea FC, the agreement aligns with a broader commercial strategy that integrates sponsors across both men’s and women’s football, rather than segmenting partnerships by team or competition. This unified approach reflects the growing commercial relevance of women’s football and allows partners to activate across a wider range of assets and audiences.

For Pegasus, the UK represents a strategically important growth market, with existing services to five destinations and additional expansion planned. Aligning with a Premier League club provides consistent exposure in a market where airline competition is intense.