International courier FedEx Express has renewed its Uefa Europa League sponsorship for the 2018-2021 seasons.
FedEx Express has been the main sponsor of the Europa League for the last three seasons.
The initial move was driven by its European business ambitions and followed an acquisition agreement with European courier service TNT Express in 2015 – a deal that was approved by the European Commission in 2016.
Expansion beyond the US is a key commercial objective for FedEx, and Europe – particularly the developing economies of Eastern Europe – is one of its top priorities.
As Bert Nappier, president of FedEx Europe and chief executive of TNT Express, said in a company statement: “As FedEx continues to build a leading logistics company in Europe, we are further engaging in football in Europe and the possibilities it presents.”
In addition to the sponsorship, FedEx highlighted its partnership with the Uefa Foundation for Children and the ‘Field in a Box’ programme, in which complete artificial grass systems are provided in underprivileged communities in Europe.
FedEx Express becomes the sixth official partner of the Europa League for the 2018-21 commercial cycle, following the renewals of Amstel, Hankook Tires and Enterprise-Rent-A-Car. Kia Motors and Molten have become an Official Sponsor and Official Supplier to the competition respectively.