Bologna FC extends partnership with Fanatics
Bologna Football Club 1909 and Fanatics have agreed a long-term extension and significant expansion of their partnership.
Fanatics has extended and expanded its long-term partnership with Italy's Bologna Football Club 1909.
The latest agreement spans ecommerce, stadium and high-street retail, licensing, design and manufacturing, wholesale distribution and marketplace operations.
It builds on three years of collaboration in which, according to Fanatics, merchandise sales have grown sixfold since the partnership began in 2022.
Improvements to existing channels and the opening of a new flagship store in Bologna city centre supported the growth, which also coincided with Bologna’s 2024/25 season successes, Fanatics noted.
The season included the club's first-ever UEFA Champions League qualification and a Coppa Italia victory.
Fanatics said it will continue to operate the club’s ecommerce business and manage Stadio Renato Dall’Ara retail and high-street stores from its Italian headquarters in Milan.
“Bologna is one of Italian football’s most exciting stories in recent years, with a team that inspires incredible passion from its supporters,” said Stephen Dowling, President of International at Fanatics.
“We are extremely pleased with the renewal of this partnership, built on solid strategic foundations that have led to significant business growth. This result is anything but accidental: the shared operating model with Fanatics and the strategy we have developed together allow us to make steady progress, just as the team is doing on the field."
Christoph Winterling, Bologna chief revenue officer, added: “The growth we have seen together over the past three years is only the beginning.
"Our extended collaboration reflects our commitment to serving Bologna’s fans with excellence, whether in store, online, or anywhere they support the team."
Fanatics, meanwhile, highlighted that it continues to invest significantly in the Italian market and is partnering with other Serie A clubs.
The Recap
- Bologna FC extended and expanded its Fanatics partnership.
- Merchandise sales have grown sixfold since 2022.
- Fanatics will continue operations from its Milan headquarters.
