The five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), have announced a significant expansion of their partnership with Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.
For the IPL 2025 edition, Etihad Airways has become the team’s prominent front-of-jersey sponsor, elevating its existing collaboration to a new level.
This move marks a substantial deepening of the relationship between CSK and Etihad Airways, which began in 2024 with the airline’s logo appearing on the back of the team’s jersey. The transition to the front of the jersey signifies a stronger commitment from Etihad Airways and will provide the airline with prime visibility throughout the highly anticipated IPL season.
Commenting on the occasion, Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said, “Our sponsorship of the Chennai Super Kings has offered us an incredible opportunity to engage directly with the CSK fan base and cricket fans worldwide. We are proud to have built a meaningful partnership in our first year with fun activations, right through to branding an aircraft with the CSK colours and logo, and we’re excited about the season ahead.
“Moving our logo to the front-of-shirt deepens our support to the CSK club and their fans and our love for India, where we operate 181 flights per week across 11 gateways, including 21 flights per week to Chennai.”
KS Viswanathan, Chief Executive Officer of Chennai Super Kings, added, “We are excited to bring Etihad Airways to the front of the Chennai Super Kings jersey. Etihad Airways’ support has been invaluable in our journey, and we are excited to take our collaboration to new heights. Etihad’s global presence aligns perfectly with our ambition to cater to our fans worldwide.
“The recent Chennai Super Kings branded Etihad aircraft created a huge buzz among cricket fans worldwide. Together, we look forward to delivering more such exceptional moments for our loyal supporters.”
The prominent placement of the Etihad logo on the front of the players’ jerseys will ensure maximum exposure for the brand to millions of viewers in stadiums and through global broadcasts.
Chennai Super Kings have strategically assembled a formidable squad for the 2025 IPL season, carefully balancing seasoned veterans with promising young players. The core of the team remains strong with retained stars like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and the legendary MS Dhoni. CSK further bolstered their roster through strategic auction acquisitions, welcoming back familiar faces such as Devon Conway, Rachin Ravindra and Ravichandran Ashwin, while adding exciting new talent like Noor Ahmad. The additions of Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, and Vijay Shankar provide valuable depth to both the batting and all-rounder departments, creating a well-rounded team poised to compete for the championship title. This blend of established stars and emerging prospects positions CSK as a top contender in the IPL 2025.
Etihad Airways, the second-largest airline in the United Arab Emirates, is renowned for its premium service, modern fleet, and extensive global network. Established in 2003, Etihad operates flights to over 120 destinations worldwide. In addition to its partnership with CSK, Etihad also sponsors prominent sports organizations, including Mumbai City FC, Girona FC, New York City FC, and the Badminton World Federation (BWF).