The Premier League (PL) club, Crystal Palace Football Club have announced a new partnership with Enjoy Illinois, the state’s official tourism bureau.
This collaboration has positioned Enjoy Illinois as the club’s official destination partner.
The partnership sees Enjoy Illinois branding prominently featured on Crystal Palace’s first-team training wear, LED boards at Selhurst Park, interview backdrops, and in-stadium TVs.
Barry Webber, Chief Commercial Officer of Crystal Palace, said, “As a club, we are hugely appreciative of the support we receive from the US, and we’re delighted to announce this partnership with Enjoy Illinois after our warm welcome in Chicago last season.
“Crystal Palace has a significant following among American fans, particularly due to the Club’s engaging social media presence and outreach efforts. The Club has recently participated in back-to-back pre-season tours in the USA, helping expand our fan base and promote the brand across the Atlantic. The Club’s crest is the American Eagle, while Kayla the American Bald Eagle was recently the club’s mascot for over a decade.
“Fans will also recognise the performances of USMNT star Chris Richards in the first team, while the club’s home Selhurst Park was where American hit show Ted Lasso was filmed. We were pleased to welcome the cast to the stadium last season for a game and hope this partnership can continue to deepen our relationship between the club and our fans in Illinois.”
Daniel Thomas, Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Tourism, said, “We are thrilled to announce Enjoy Illinois’ new partnership as the Official Destination Partner of Crystal Palace. We welcomed 2.16 million international visitors to Illinois in 2023, and the UK remains one of our top five markets.
“Illinois is also the number five sports market in the U.S. (according to sports ETA research) and this collaboration provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the very best our state has to offer to a passionate global sporting audience looking for their next American adventure.
“As we gear up for the football season, we’re eager to welcome Crystal Palace fans to discover Illinois’ world-class sports entertainment, our vibrant city of Chicago and diverse culture, all while getting your “kicks” on Route 66 and enjoying our small-town charm and thrilling outdoor adventures.”
Enjoy Illinois is a tourism promotion agency dedicated to showcasing the beauty and diversity of Illinois. With its vibrant cities, charming towns, and stunning natural landscapes, Illinois offers something for everyone.
The partnership with Enjoy Illinois adds to Crystal Palace’s growing list of sponsors, including EFAM Air, KURE, TEN, NET88, and Guavapay.
The Eagles’ are placed 16th on the league table. They will take on Leicester City on September 14 at 7:30 PM IST and Queens Park Rangers in the EFL Cup Round Three on September 18 at 12:15 AM IST.