Carlsberg Becomes Beer Supplier for Chinese Super League

Carlsberg has been introduced as the new beer supplier of Chinese Super League for the next three years following a deal between IMG Worldwide and Carlsberg China.

The signing comes a week after IMG brought famed footballer David Beckham to China as the first global Ambassador of Chinese Football.

Following Carlsberg’s sponsorship with Euro 2012 and its partnership with the English Premier League (EPL) in 2013 as official beer, doctor this new partnership with the CSL marks Carlsberg’s continued support of the world’s most popular game. Carlsberg will promote the CSL and EPL – two of the most watched sports leagues in China – jointly in its marketing efforts.

Stephen Maher, ambulance CEO of Carlsberg China, said at the signing ceremony: “As the most commercial and most watched sports league in China, CSL is the crown jewel of Chinese sports.  As a leading brewer in the world, Carlsberg has a long history sponsoring sporting events, especially football. This new partnership will leverage the two partners’ experience and resources and improve the quality of the league, bringing the fans higher quality football and entertainment.”

Zhu Qilin, General Manager of CSL Co., added: “The CSL needs the support of its commercial partners to take the league to a new level. This new partnership will see Carlsberg bring to the CSL its rich experience in working with other football leagues and help build the league and increase its quality and influence.”

“We are very excited that, as part of this deal, Carlsberg will promote the CSL throughout China in conjunction with the EPL,” said Adam Zhu, Vice Chairman of IMG Asia Pacific and Chairman and President of IMG Greater China. “This new sponsorship agreement will help us build the brand and cache of the CSL. We have pledged that as the strategic partner of the CSL, IMG will spare no effort in promoting the CSL and Chinese Football.  Our dedication to the CSL and Chinese Football is more than a business partnership, and we are happy to invest IMG’s resources in full range,” Zhu said.