Turkish Airlines becomes the first airline to sponsor the UEFA Champions League, which will hold its 2023 final in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, Sept. 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Turkish Airlines, which serves millions of people from 129 countries and territories around the world every year, has become the official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, one of the world's most anticipated sporting events. This prestigious partnership will be one of the most important sponsorship agreements in the history of Turkish sports. The agreement is particularly significant as this season's UEFA Champions League final will be held at Istanbul's Ataturk Olympic Stadium on June 10, 2023.

The UEFA Champions League organization, in which Turkish Airlines is an official sponsor, will attract 678 million viewers in 200 countries and territories through more than 70 broadcasters. Fans will also be able to participate in the Champions League's exciting event through social media, which will generate 28 million views. Turkish Airlines will have extensive pre-game, in-game and post-game exposure, signage and naming rights, including LED screens around the field. As part of this agreement, Turkey's state-owned flagship airline will also partner with the UEFA Super Cup, the European Indoor Futsal Champions League Final and the UEFA Youth League Final as official sponsors.

The announcement of the Turkish Airlines UEFA Champions League sponsorship agreement was made at the Halic Convention Center in the presence of Dr. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman and Executive Member of Turkish Airlines, Aleksander Čeferin, Turkish Airlines executive and UEFA President, and Guy-Laurent Epstein, UEFA Marketing Director.

Regarding this sponsorship relationship, Dr. Ahmet Bolat, Chairman and Executive Board Professor of Turkish Airlines, said: "As our country's flagship airline, we are delighted to sponsor the hosting of one of the world's largest sporting events, the UEFA Champions League. We are taking the Turkish Airlines brand to new heights as our country spreads its wings on the 100th anniversary of the Republic. Through this sponsorship partnership, we will bring the Turkish Airlines brand to the world and will bring the eyes of the world to Istanbul on June 10, 2023. We believe in the unifying power of sport, which brings together different cultures, and we are committed to continuing our participation in many of the world's leading events."

UEFA Marketing Director Guy-Laurent Epstein said, "The UEFA Champions League is the largest club competition in the world and we are delighted to be partnering with Turkish Airlines. We both have a global reach, connecting fans across continents, and we are delighted that Turkish Airlines' first season as partner will culminate in this prestigious league final at home in Istanbul. We both share the same passion and believe with all our hearts that our partnership will never end."

Turkish Airlines is the first airline in the world to partner with UEFA as its official airline sponsor for UEFA EURO 2016. The flagship airline has also entered into sponsorship partnerships with prestigious teams such as FC Barcelona, Manchester United FC, Borussia Dortmund FC, Olympique de Marseille and River Plate Athletic Club. Turkish Airlines' "The Selfie Shootout" commercial starring Kobe Bryant and Lionel Messi is one of the most talked about commercials of all time.

The state-owned flagship airline supports different branches of sports beyond soccer and has been the title sponsor of the Turkish Airlines Euroleague, Europe's most important basketball tournament, since 2010. Turkish Airlines also supports sports such as volleyball, tennis, golf, rugby and equestrian.