SSC Napoli Appoints Google as Official AI and Smartphone Partner for 2025/26 Season.

Roger Hampel

Image: SSC Napoli

SSC Napoli has signed a partnership agreement with Google, appointing Google Gemini and Google Pixel as the club’s Official AI and Smartphone Partner for the 2025/26 season. The deal adds a global technology platform to Napoli’s commercial portfolio and reflects the growing role of artificial intelligence and consumer hardware in football partnerships.

The agreement covers both Google’s AI platform Gemini and its Pixel hardware ecosystem, which includes smartphones and wearable devices available on the Italian market.

Technology Partnerships Move Beyond Visibility

Commenting on the agreement, Tommaso Bianchini, SSC Napoli General Director – Business Area, underlined the strategic focus on artificial intelligence and global fan engagement, stating that the partnership is “focused on the use of artificial intelligence” and is intended to strengthen Napoli’s international partner network. He added that the collaboration aims to connect with the club’s global fanbase “in an ever more direct and authentic way thanks to Google technology,” positioning the deal as part of a longer-term digital engagement strategy rather than a standalone activation.

Image: SSC Napoli

AI as a Fan Engagement and Content Tool SSC Napoli Google

Google Gemini’s role within the partnership places artificial intelligence at the centre of Napoli’s digital experimentation. While specific applications have not been detailed, the collaboration suggests the use of AI to support content formats, creative workflows and interactive fan experiences.

Across elite football, AI platforms are increasingly being tested as tools to scale content production, personalise engagement and adapt communication to diverse international audiences without proportionally increasing operational costs.

Smartphone Category Returns as a Strategic Asset

The inclusion of Google Pixel highlights the continued relevance of the smartphone category in football sponsorship, particularly as clubs prioritise mobile-first content and platform-native storytelling. Pixel devices are expected to be used in content production and digital activations, reinforcing the link between hardware capabilities and creative output.