From the start of the 2026/27 season, betting ads will no longer appear on the kits of teams in English football’s top tier. Despite this, United are in talks with Betway over a sponsorship deal worth £18m, which would see the gambling company sponsor their training kit. This is a deal that may not sit comfortably with the club’s supporters and the English football community as a whole.
The Manchester Evening News has confirmed that Betway will be featured prominently in United clothing worn by players at Carrington’s training facility. As a result, it will appear on videos and photographic material taken of United players during training sessions.
United’s training kits were previously sponsored by blockchain company Tezos, but that arrangement ended in June 2025. Betway has previously been the shirt sponsor of West Ham United and also maintains global gambling partnerships with Manchester City, Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion.
The deal between Betway and United is thought to be worth around £18m, a significant amount for a single partnership compared to the deal between Bayern Munich and Allianz, which also includes stadium naming rights.
United have gone this season without a training kit sponsor. After the end of the contract with Tezos, the club chose not to rush into signing an alternative sponsor.
The Red Devils decided to take the time to identify an opponent that not only met the necessary financial criteria, but was also attractive and marketable to the club. Executives held discussions with Tanzania, the African arm of the Six Rivers Foundation.
Despite United’s minority owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, investing in conservation projects, the parties were unable to reach an agreement. When majority owners Joel and Avram Glazer visited Carrington in January, the club’s commercial revenue featured prominently among the main topics of discussion.
The club also works with marketing agency Two Circles, whose members include former United sales manager Leo Thompson. The company has been supporting the club’s efforts to secure a new sleeve sponsor as its contract with DXC expires in the summer.
That quest was greatly helped by Michael Carrick leading United into next season’s Champions League, with a 3-2 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford to seal their place in Europe’s top competition.
