Dubai: Emirates airline will sponsors the Barcelona Open tennis tournament in a deal which runs until 2018. The announcement was made at a press conference held at the historic Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.
Emirates will have exclusive airline status in a partnership that will enable it to reach out to and engage with tennis fans across Spain. This year’s tournament takes place from April 20 to 28 in Barcelona, where Emirates launched services less than nine months ago.
As part of the five-year agreement, the airline will have promotional rights to integrated branding and digital elements both on and off the court. The airline will also receive interactive hospitality rights, which include a double marquee in the popular VIP Village and an exhibition booth in the Fan Boulevard.
“Our sponsorship with the prestigious Barcelona Open represents a further strengthening of Emirates’ commitment to Spain. This event will provide a high-profile and dynamic platform for Emirates that we hope will create a deeper connection with our customers,” said Fernando Suarez de Gongora, the airline’s Manager for Spain and Portugal.
Staged at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, the oldest Spanish tennis club, The Barcelona Open, Trofeo Conde de Godó, is the oldest tennis tournament in Spain and one of the most prestigious claycourt tournaments on the circuit.
The ATP World Tour 500 Event will celebrate its 61st edition in 2013.
“We’re very pleased with Emirates’ participation at the tournament. It is a very prestigious international organisation and for us it means a strong boost in the tournament’s international positioning,” said Albert Agustí, President Real Club Tenis Barcelona.
This is Emirates’ second tennis sponsorship in Europe. Last year, the carrier became the Official Airline and Premium Partner of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Italian Open) while they have recently announced a five-year global partnership with the ATP, which sees Emirates become the Official Airline of the ATP World Tour, as well as the new title sponsor of the ATP Rankings, in addition to the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.
