Chelsea Football Club has confirmed a multi-year global partnership with IFS, an industrial AI firm, positioning advanced artificial intelligence at the core of the club’s football performance, operations, and fan engagement.
The Premier League club revealed in a statement on Friday that IFS will become Chelsea’s Principal Partner immediately, with its logo appearing on the men’s and women’s team shirts for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. The men’s team will debut the branding this Saturday against Burnley at Stamford Bridge, while the women’s kit will feature it in Sunday’s Women’s Super League clash with Manchester United.
Chelsea has been without a permanent front-of-shirt sponsor since ending its partnership with telecommunications company Three in 2023, relying on short-term arrangements with brands like sports technology firm Infinite Athlete and property developer Damac.
The new deal with IFS aims to embed AI throughout the club’s operations—from match performance analysis to fan engagement and administrative efficiency. Chelsea said the collaboration would enhance “almost every aspect of the club’s work,” connecting people, assets, and intelligence in real time.
“Chelsea Football Club today announces a multi-year global partnership with IFS, the world’s leading provider of Industrial AI,” the club said. “IFS will become our Principal Partner immediately, featuring on our front of shirt for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. This marks the start of a long-term collaboration placing AI at the heart of football performance, operational excellence, and fan engagement.”
IFS, known for delivering AI-driven solutions to complex industrial challenges, will deploy its technology at Chelsea to optimize operations, improve decision-making, and sharpen competitive performance.
Chelsea president Jason Gannon said: “We are incredibly proud to partner with IFS and leverage their cutting-edge AI software to drive the club to greater success. This partnership demonstrates our commitment to innovation, harnessing AI to improve everything we do both on and off the pitch.”
IFS CEO Mark Moffat added: “In sport as in industry, small margins and critical decisions define success. Chelsea FC shares our high standards, which is why we are proud to serve as their Principal Partner.”
The club emphasized that this partnership signals Chelsea’s ambition to lead in sports technology, combining AI innovation with football excellence to set a global benchmark for performance and fan experience.