Al Ahly secure dollar-linked four-year Vodafone sponsorship worth EGP 1.35bn

Al Ahly president Mahmoud El Khatib has announced the club’s new four-year sponsorship agreement with Vodafone Egypt will be paid on a value pegged to the US dollar, in a deal worth 1.35 billion Egyptian pounds and including naming rights for the club’s stadium, now titled “Vodafone Stadium”.

El Khatib confirmed the financial structure of the contract during the official signing ceremony for the partnership between Al Ahly and Vodafone.

“El Ahly has reached an agreement with Vodafone to receive the value of the sponsorship at the dollar rate,” El Khatib said.

He explained that the two parties had agreed a mechanism to protect the club from currency fluctuations.

He added: “The rate will be fixed at a certain figure. If the dollar rises, Al Ahly will benefit from the increase, and if it falls, we will still receive the agreed rate without any reduction for the club.”

Stadium naming rights and fan access

As part of the agreement, Vodafone has acquired the naming rights to Al Ahly’s home ground, which will now officially be known as “Vodafone Stadium”.

El Khatib also revealed that he had raised specific requests regarding stadium infrastructure to improve the matchday experience for supporters.

“ I asked Mohamed Kamel, chairman of Al Ahly Fortress Company, to replace the concrete stairways at Al Ahly Stadium with escalators to make it easier for Al Ahly fans attending matches at the stadium,” he said.

The changes are intended to facilitate access to the stands and improve comfort and safety for spectators on busy matchdays.

Contract duration and signing ceremony

The new sponsorship contract between Al Ahly and Vodafone will run for four years.

The agreement was signed at an official ceremony attended by senior representatives from the club, the sponsor and sports authorities.

Among those present were Mahmoud El Khatib, president of Al Ahly, and Ayman Fathi, chairman of Al Ahly’s football company.

Also attending were Mohamed Yehia Lotfy, chairman of United Sports Company, and Minister of Youth and Sports Gowhar Nabil.

The 1.35 billion Egyptian pound value attached to the Vodafone sponsorship represents the total worth of the agreement over its four-year duration, encompassing both the main club sponsorship and the naming rights for Vodafone Stadium.