Commercial and Media Impact of the Palermo vs Manchester City Anglo-Palermitan Trophy.

Roger Hampel

Image: Palermo FC

The inaugural Anglo-Palermitan Trophy between Palermo FC and Manchester City went beyond the scope of a pre-season friendly, delivering significant commercial, media, and operational results ahead of Palermo’s 125th anniversary celebrations on 1 November 2025.

Attendance and Broadcast Reach

The Renzo Barbera Stadium drew 34,665 spectators, nearly selling out for the event. Broadcast production featured seven international-quality cameras and two next-generation drones, with distribution agreements covering over 60 countries. In Italy, the match reached more than 500,000 viewers across Sky, DAZN, and OneFootball (PPV), while global access was provided via CITY+ and OneFootball platforms.

Travel and Logistics Palermo Manchester City

The fixture required significant coordination, with over 140 Manchester City staff, including players, coaches, and executives, travelling to Palermo, along with 300 visiting supporters from England.

Digital and Media Coverage

From the announcement to match day, Palermo FC’s official channels generated over 80 million video views and 3 million interactions, ranking among the top Italian clubs for digital exposure during the period.

The match attracted nearly 250 accredited media representatives, including journalists, content creators, and major international publications. Coverage resulted in more than 1,200 articles and reports across digital, print, and broadcast platforms.

Corporate and Commercial Engagement

• 49 companies purchased in-match advertising inventory.

• Over 100 corporate buyers secured approximately 750 hospitality seats across five tiers.

• A special merchandise collection for the match was launched, with four temporary sales points inside the stadium. Around 2,000 event-specific items were sold, alongside the unveiling of Palermo’s new away kit by Javier Pastore during half-time.

  
  

Marketing and Fan Activation

Pre- and post-match, 120+ individuals participated in premium fan engagement activities, including player meet-and-greets, stadium tours, and pitch access. The match day featured Title Partner Decò | Gruppo Arena activations, children’s entertainment, themed face painting, photo booths, and ice cream stands via partner Elenka.

The pre-match programme attracted over 28,000 spectators to their seats 90 minutes before kick-off, highlighted by a live performance from Rose Villain accompanied by a light show, large-scale choreography from the Curva Nord, and a 1,400 m² banner celebrating both Palermo and Manchester City’s identities.

Hospitality and Gala Events

On the eve of the match, Villa Tasca hosted a gala dinner for 150 guests, featuring three Michelin star chefs Antonio and Fabrizio Mellino, and attended by senior executives from both clubs, sponsors, and stakeholders.

Operational Scale

The event, delivered in just five weeks of planning, involved nearly 1,000 professionals from multiple specialist sectors. This collaboration between Palermo FC and City Football Group aimed to position both the city and the club on a global stage.