P&O Cruises has become Southampton FC’s official shirt sleeve sponsor after agreeing a multi-year deal.
The cruise line’s logo will appear on the kits of the men’s, women’s and academy teams as part of the company’s first sports sponsorship.
It will bring “exclusive benefits and experiences” to P&O Cruises passengers and Southampton FC fans, including cruise offers, match tickets, meet and greet events and onboard coaching.
Carnival UK & P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow hailed a “natural partnership”, adding: “With the men’s team promoted to the Premier League there has never been a better time to showcase our brand to the nation but whatever the results we will be supporting the teams wholeheartedly throughout the seasons.”
More: P&O Cruises appoints Stuart Allison as chief commercial officer
The P&O Cruises logo’s first outing will be on the men’s first team kits in the home friendly at St Mary’s Stadium against Lazio on August 7.
The Saints’ first game of the Premier League season is away to Newcastle United on August 17, with the first home match being the following Saturday against Nottingham Forest.
All fans who purchase or have already purchased any of the Southampton FC 2024/25 replica kits will be able to go into the Southampton FC stadium store to have the P&O Cruises branding applied to their shirts free of charge, subject to availability from August 6.
Ludlow said: “P&O Cruises is Britain’s favourite cruise line, with a long history sailing from the port of Southampton.
“Southampton Football Club is one of the oldest and most forward-thinking clubs in English football, with a passionate and dedicated following of supporters in the city and beyond. It is a natural partnership for both of us.”
He added: “We are delighted to be the first company to sponsor the men’s, women’s and academy shirts to promote diversity, equality and to encourage grassroots football and nurture new talent.
“Investing in our home port regions and in the communities in which we live and visit is vitally important to us and this partnership underpins our commitment to the region.”
He said the cruise line was pleased to be supporting the Saints Foundation in its charity work, with more details to be unveiled soon.
Southampton FC chief executive Phil Parsons said: “We are delighted to welcome P&O Cruises as our sleeve partner. This is a historic partnership for us, working with P&O Cruises for the first time.
“P&O Cruises is an organisation right at the heart of our city, much like us. With customer service and local community central to its business, its values are aligned to our own.
“We look forward to what this partnership will bring to our fans and the local community.”
Photo: Southampton FC men’s first team player Gavin Bazunu, chief executive Phil Parsons, women’s team player Molly Pike, Carnival UK and P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow and women’s team player Kayla Rendell