W88 and Wolverhampton Wanderers – The First Premier League Sponsorship

W88's journey as a Premier League shirt sponsor began in June 2018 when Wolverhampton Wanderers announced the Asian betting brand as their official shirt sponsor for the 2018–19 season — the club's first campaign back in the top flight after a six-year absence in the Championship.

Partnership Highlights

1. Historic Value: At the time of signing, the deal was described as "certainly the largest in the club's history" by Wolves Managing Director Laurie Dalrymple, setting a precedent that W88 would go on to replicate with subsequent club partnerships.
2. Bespoke Branding: In a gesture of respect to Wolves' heritage, W88 agreed to change its logo colours from its standard blue to black and grey specifically to complement the club's iconic old gold and black strip — a rare concession from a major commercial sponsor.
3. Duration: The initial agreement covered two seasons, giving W88 sustained exposure as Wolves established themselves back in the Premier League under manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
4. Global Footprint: W88 Business Development Manager Hilly Ehrlich described the partnership as "a major step for us in expanding our global footprint," with particular focus on engaging Wolves fans in both the UK and internationally.

Legacy of the Wolves Partnership

The Wolverhampton Wanderers sponsorship was a pivotal moment in W88's international growth strategy. It demonstrated that Asian-facing operators could form meaningful, high-profile partnerships with established English football clubs, paving the way for subsequent deals with Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Fulham, Burnley, Leicester City, and ultimately Sunderland AFC.

Wolves' return to the Premier League coincided with a period of significant investment in the club, making the W88 partnership all the more strategically important for both parties. The brand's visibility during match broadcasts reaching millions of viewers globally, particularly in Asia where Premier League football commands a massive following, made this an exceptionally effective marketing platform.