In a significant boost for women's football, global payments giant Mastercard has announced a new sponsorship deal with London City Lionesses. The agreement, confirmed on Friday 5 December 2025, sees Mastercard become the club's official payments partner.
A Strategic Partnership for Growth
Mastercard joins existing sponsors Nike and women's sport media company Togethxr in supporting the ambitious south London club. The partnership forms part of a broader relationship with US billionaire Michele Kang's portfolio of women's football clubs, which already includes French powerhouse Olympique Lyonnais Féminin.
The deal will provide Mastercard cardholders and London City supporters with exclusive "Priceless" matchday experiences. These are set to include opportunities to meet players and interact with the club's mascot.
Driving Ambition in Women's Football
Michele Kang, whose investment has transformed the club's prospects, stated that the partnership reflects a shared vision to advance the women's game. "Partnering with Mastercard reflects our ambition to drive progress in women's football," Kang said. She highlighted Mastercard's long-term dedication to sport and its existing sponsorship of Lyon as aligning with her goal to "build a global community."
Kang emphasised that the alliance is fundamentally about uplifting female athletes, expanding the fanbase, and shaping the future of the sport.
Launch and Long-Term Vision
The partnership will be officially launched on Sunday during London City Lionesses' Women's Super League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion. The match will be held at the Copper Box Community Stadium in Bromley.
Charlie Carrington, Mastercard's head of communications and marketing for the UK and Ireland, underscored the company's commitment. "Mastercard has been championing women's sport for 25 years, and we've witnessed first-hand its meteoric rise," Carrington said. He described the deal as more than a sponsorship, calling it a "shared commitment to creating priceless experiences for fans, athletes and communities whilst paving the way for the next generation."
Kang's investment has already propelled the club to new heights. London City Lionesses made history this year by becoming the first independent club to gain promotion to the Women's Super League. Their recruitment has attracted top European talent like Grace Geyoro and Kosovare Asllani, helping them to a current sixth-place position in the league.
The club harbours bold plans to challenge established WSL elites such as Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, and Manchester United. Further underlining their long-term ambition, they are set to construct a state-of-the-art training complex in Ditton, Kent.
