The English football club, Arsenal FC, have announced the extension of their long-standing partnership with the Japanese gaming powerhouse, KONAMI, securing a multi-year agreement that keeps the Premier League side at the heart of the company’s flagship football title, eFootball™.
The renewed deal, now in its ninth year, reaffirms KONAMI’s position as Arsenal’s official football video gaming partner. The agreement grants KONAMI exclusive rights to the club’s branding, player likenesses, and Emirates Stadium imagery within eFootball™, ensuring fans around the world can enjoy an authentic and immersive Gunners experience.
As part of the new chapter, Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard has been named the club’s latest eFootball™ ambassador. To celebrate, KONAMI will offer all players a complimentary “Highlight: Martin Ødegaard” in-game player card and avatar for anyone logging in between August 7–13, 2025 (UTC).
Commenting on the occasion, Shinji Namekawa, Konami Digital Entertainment B.V.’s European President, said, “We are proud to be extending our partnership with such an iconic club. Arsenal Football Club represents excellence on and off the pitch, and we are excited to continue this journey together.
“Our commitment remains to continuously evolve and enhance eFootball™, and this continued partnership is a clear indicator of those efforts.”
Juliet Slot, our Chief Commercial Officer, added, “We are incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with KONAMI, and we’re excited to begin this next chapter of our journey together. The longevity of our partnership reinforces our shared values of innovation and progress, and we’re pleased to ensure Arsenal is a core part of the game for years to come.”
Since its inception, the partnership has featured exclusive promotional campaigns, player collaborations, and integrated marketing initiatives that bridge real-world football with its digital counterpart. The extension is expected to open new avenues for fan engagement, blending gaming and live matchday experiences.
The renewal comes as KONAMI continues to expand its network of elite football partners, positioning eFootball™ as a formidable challenger to EA Sports FC in the global football gaming market.
Off the pitch, Arsenal has been active commercially, recently signing deals with Stanley 1913, Guinness, Asahi Super Dry, Athletic Brewing Company and TCL.
On the pitch, the Gunners are targeting silverware after four successive second-place Premier League finishes and a run to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals last season. A strong transfer window has seen the arrivals of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke from Chelsea, Christian Nørgaard from Brentford, Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, and Sweden international Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting CP.
The 2025-26 campaign kicks off on August 17, with Arsenal hosting Manchester United in a blockbuster 9:00 PM IST opener at the Emirates Stadium.
