Coca-Cola announces major partnership with Irish FA and Northern Ireland Football League

Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, Amruta Vaidya, Chief Executive, Irish FA, Patrick Neslon, General Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, Simon Fitzpatrick and Chief Executive, NI Football League, Gerard Lawlor.

Coca-Cola has announced a new partnership with Northern Ireland football, becoming the official soft drinks partner of both the Irish Football Association (Irish FA) and the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL).

The agreement, announced by The Coca-Cola Company alongside its strategic bottling partner Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, will see the global drinks brand support both national and domestic football across Northern Ireland through a range of fan-focused activations.

The partnership aims to bring supporters together while celebrating a shared passion for football and the spirit of sport. Coca-Cola will activate the sponsorship across several brands within its portfolio, including Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Powerade, with products available on matchdays alongside branding activity, social media content and exclusive fan access to events.

Coca-Cola’s involvement in football is well established globally, with long-standing sponsorships including the FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championships and the English Premier League.

This latest announcement signals a continued commitment to grassroots and domestic football, while reinforcing the company’s presence within communities across Northern Ireland.

The Coca-Cola system has operated in Northern Ireland for more than 86 years and currently employs around 1,500 people across the island, including 550 staff at its production facility in Lisburn, underlining the company’s local economic footprint.

Simon Fitzpatrick, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, said the partnership reflects football’s central role in community life.

“Football in Northern Ireland is a proudly established and widely supported institution, bringing local talent together through a shared love of the beautiful game,” he said.

“From domestic to the national teams, we are excited to enhance the matchday experience for football fans by offering a range of our products, from Coca-Cola to Powerade, as they come together to support their teams.”

The move has been welcomed by league officials, who say the deal will help expand the reach of domestic football while benefiting clubs directly.

Chief Executive, NI Football League, Gerard Lawlor, Kieran Offord, Men’s Senior Player, Linfield FC, Country Manager, Coca-Cola Ireland, Amruta Vaidya, Chief Executive, Irish FA, Patrick Neslon, Abbie McHenry, Women’s Senior Player, Cliftonville FC and General Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, Simon Fitzpatrick.

Gerard Lawlor, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Football League, said:

“Having a world-renowned brand such as Coca-Cola on board is another exciting development for the Northern Ireland Football League and our member clubs.

“This partnership is another big step in growing the league to an even wider audience as well as enhancing the current matchday experience for our regular match-going supporters.

“This is an investment in domestic football in Northern Ireland and will bring a major benefit to our clubs over the next three years.”

The Irish FA also highlighted the potential for the partnership to encourage wider engagement with the game.

Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive of the Irish Football Association, said:

“It’s great to see such a huge global brand supporting football in Northern Ireland, and we are delighted Coca-Cola has become the official soft drinks partner of the Irish FA.

“I have no doubt Coca-Cola’s involvement will help to promote football among a wider audience in Northern Ireland – and that’s always good for the game.”

With a focus on matchday experience, community engagement and long-term investment, the partnership represents a significant commercial and cultural boost for football across Northern Ireland at both grassroots and elite levels.