GOL: Mastercard Becomes Official Payments Brand of South American Football
Miami, FL | February 27, 2019
Mastercard renews its sponsorship of CONMEBOL Copa America for the 12th consecutive edition and becomes first time sponsor of CONMEBOL Libertadores.
The company will use the two premier sporting events to connect with football fans and promote contactless payments across the region.
Mastercard, major sponsor of international football for over 30 years, announced today it has closed an agreement with the South American Football Confederation, CONMEBOL, to be the Official Payment Services partner and Contactless Payment brand for CONMEBOL Copa América Brasil 2019 and CONMEBOL Libertadores 2019. Through the new agreements, Mastercard renews its sponsorship of CONMEBOL Copa America for the 12th consecutive edition and becomes a first time sponsor of CONMEBOL Libertadores until 2022.
As the Official Contactless Payment brand of CONMEBOL Copa América Brasil 2019 and CONMEBOL Libertadores 2019-2022, Mastercard solidifies its commitment to providing consumers with safe, simple and secure ways to pay for everything that matters… like football. From ticket purchasing, to paying for taxi rides to the stadium, to the snacks purchased at the concession stands, Mastercard will work with its partners to bring contactless experiences to football fans so they spend less time paying for things and more time enjoying the games.
Consumers that use contactless love the technology’s because it provides peace of mind and saves them time – they are 10 times faster than paying with traditional methods. Shop owners save thousands of hours at checkout and reduce operational costs making it the perfect technology for people that want to enjoy football.
“As a long-time supporter of football, the most beloved sport of Latin America, we are excited to add CONMEBOL Copa America and CONMEBOL Libertadores to our roster of premier football sponsorship assets which include the Brazil National Team (CBF), UEFA Champions Leage and ambassadors Lionel Messi, Neymar and Javier Zanetti,” said Carlo Enrico, President, Mastercard Latin America and Caribbean. “This powerful combination of South America’s best-of-the-best in football will allow us to bring Priceless payment experiences to the fans and advance efforts toward a world beyond cash.”
As sponsors of the two tournaments, Mastercard will have the following rights:
- Exclusivity in the payment services category, including Official Contactless Payments brand.
- Global rights to use the tournament name and brand.
- Ability to work with its partners to offer exclusive benefits and experiences to Mastercard cardholders.
- Exclusive rights to the Trophies of both tournaments.
- Exclusive rights to Player Escorts to offer the experience to Mastercard customers and cardholders (only for Copa America).
“Mastercard has an established heritage in sports, with an attitude that constantly seeks to conquer new challenges and a constant search to improve payment experience for football lovers. We are delighted to announce this partnership for the CONMEBOL Copa América Brasil 2019 and CONMEBOL Libertadores, two of our greatest competitions that has inspired South America for decades with values like teamwork, self-belief, and a fighting spirit”, said José Astigarraga, Secretary General of CONMEBOL.
About CONMEBOL Copa America
Copa America, first played in 1916, is the oldest national team championship in the world and features three of the winningest teams in the history of soccer: Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay which amongst them have won 9 of 20 World Cups and 36 of 42 Copas America. Several of the greatest players in the history of soccer have showcased their talent at CONMEBOL Copa America such as Maradona and Messi (ARG); Pelé, Ronaldo and Neymar (BRA); Figueroa (CHI); Valderrama (COL); Romerito (PAR); Cubillas (PER); Rocha (URU), Forlan (URU) and Suarez (URU). CONMEBOL Copa América Brasil 2019, 46th edition of the tournament, will be held in five Brazilian host cities from June 14th to July 7th. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, and two national teams from Asia (Japan and Qatar) will be the participating teams.
About CONMEBOL Libertadores
The CONMEBOL Libertadores is the most prestigious football club competition in South America. Dating back to 1960, when it was known as the Copa de Campeones de America, this continental tournament has been played annually among the leading professional men’s football clubs of South America. In present day, the year-long tournament is played from February until November among 47 professional men’s club teams, which qualify annually based on their performance in the national club leagues of each of CONMEBOL’s 10 Member Associations: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela. Traditionally, the CONMEBOL Libertadores champion would compete against the winner of the UEFA Champions League for the Intercontinental Club, to become what is officially recognized by FIFA as “Club World Champions”. During that heated rivalry, which took place from 1960 until 2004, CONMEBOL Libertadores winners achieved “Club World Champion Status” on 22 occasions, compared to UEFA’s 21 club world championships. Since 2005, the CONMEBOL Libertadores winner represents South America in the FIFA Club World Cup.
About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)
Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.
