Zilch, a London-headquartered consumer payments platform, has announced a multi-year global partnership with Arsenal Football Club, becoming the club’s Official Way To Pay. This agreement marks Zilch’s initial venture into sports partnerships, encompassing both the men’s and women’s teams and providing Arsenal supporters with flexible payment options.
The partnership aims to offer Arsenal supporters exclusive benefits for their spending with Zilch, aligning with the platform’s objective to enhance consumer purchasing power. To inaugurate the collaboration, Zilch is allocating £50,000 directly to Arsenal supporters for purchases on Arsenal Direct. The first 1,000 supporters who buy an Arsenal product through the club’s online store after 12 pm on November 21 will each receive £50 off when spending £50 or more. This initiative is informed by Zilch research indicating that 75% of football supporters associate purchasing an official shirt annually with a stronger connection to their team and increased enjoyment of the sport.
Additional benefits for supporters include discounts of up to 10% for in-store purchases at the Armoury, Arsenal’s flagship retail space. Supporters will also have opportunities to win free tickets to every home game, access exclusive merchandise drops, enjoy premium hospitality, meet players, and participate in stadium tours.
Zilch operates with a mission to eliminate high-cost credit through its payment platform, which is designed to benefit consumers and reward them for the retail value they generate. The collaboration between Arsenal and Zilch seeks to provide supporters with innovative and seamless methods to interact with the club.
Philip Belamant, CEO and Co-Founder of Zilch, noted the company’s organic growth to over 5 million engaged users. He expressed enthusiasm for this first brand partnership with Arsenal, recognizing the club’s highly engaged supporter base. Belamant stated that the partnership aligns with the trend of sports brands seeking partners to enhance supporter engagement and experience, emphasizing its role in providing payment flexibility and deepening fan passion.
Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer at Arsenal Football Club, welcomed Zilch to the Arsenal family, describing it as a new and exciting proposition that will prioritize supporters. She added that Zilch’s support and investment are expected to contribute to Arsenal’s ambition to win major trophies, and she looks forward to new ways for the global Arsenal community to connect with the club.
Zilch, launched in 2020, focuses on consumer control over finances through flexible payment options combined with rewards. With over 5 million registered customers, the platform connects users with retailers, helping brands acquire customers efficiently while delivering personalized benefits. Valued at $2 billion and supported by partners such as AWS, Deutsche Bank, and Visa, Zilch has become a rapidly expanding fintech unicorn in the UK and EMEA, utilizing credit, AI technology, and data to improve financial outcomes for consumers and drive growth.
