Chelsea have released their home shirt for the upcoming 2023-24 season without a sponsor on the front of the kit following the end of their contract with mobile company Three.
The Blues were in contact with Paramount+ over a potential sponsorship but the deal was blocked by the Premier League to avoid the risk of upsetting its broadcast partners.
And amid the rise of gambling awareness in football, the club have decided against a shirt sponsorship agreement with a betting company after the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) voiced their opposition to a commercial partnership with online casino Stake.com, as well as campaigners including The Big Step.
The club were forced to change tact as a result following fan backlash, with CST calling it a “total mockery” of the previous work done by the Chelsea Foundation to help those with gambling addictions.
Why don’t Chelsea have a sponsor on the front of their shirts?
This is in line with the league’s decision to remove all betting companies as sponsors on the front of players’ jerseys by the end of the 2025-26 season.
A statement from CST read: “The CST is really pleased that, according to recent reports, Chelsea FC has listened to the very serious concerns of the trust and has acted accordingly.
“Over 77 per cent of our members disagreed with the use of an online casino and betting company as the primary shirt sponsor, and if these reports are indeed correct, it demonstrates again that supporters can make a monumental difference.
“Our consistent message to the owners is clear – make the supporters proud.”
Mauricio Pochettino‘s side may well have to go on their pre-season tour of the United States wearing the sponsorless kit in its current state, according to reports.
However, it is expected that they will have a front-of-shirt logo in place before their first league fixture against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on 13 August.
The club website states: “Fans can purchase this season’s new but classic look on early access from 16 August via the megastore at Stamford Bridge, our official online store and Nike.com. The kit will be available via the wider marketplace from 23 August.
“Fans should be aware that the 2023-24 home kit that features on pitch may subsequently feature a front-of-shirt partner. The club will communicate any changes to the kit in due course.”
This season’s home strip is inspired by the ones worn 25 years ago when the Blues won the League Cup and UEFA Super Cup.
The home kit is a tribute to the 1997-98 shirts, with blue the dominant colour, accompanied by a gold trim.
Club legends Robert Di Matteo and Dennis Wise were pictured wearing the new strip which “highlights the prestige and glamour of the famous King’s Road in the ’90s”.
