Qualcomm Technologies and Manchester United expand shirt tie up and launch augmented reality experience

Qualcomm Technologies and Manchester United have triggered the extension of their principal shirt partnership which will now run until 2029.

This follows home, away and third shirt launches which feature the Snapdragon brand on the front of a Manchester United shirt for the first time.

Snapdragon is Qualcomm Technologies’ consumer brand of processors and can be found in more than three billion devices globally. The Snapdragon processors power experiences from various digital brands across smartphones, PCs, extended and virtual reality glasses, gaming, wearables, and cars.

Since the release of the three shirts for the 2024/25 season, the content featuring the Snapdragon logo has amassed over two billion digital media impressions, which is more than any other partner launch in the club’s history.

In a first for the club, the new shirts featuring the Snapdragon brand launched with an augmented reality (AR) experience which fans can access by scanning a QR code and the Snapdragon logo on the front of the shirt.

The experience, developed by Qualcomm Technologies, brings fans onto the pitch of Old Trafford and will feature exclusive Manchester United content throughout the season.

As part of the extension, Qualcomm Technologies has expanded its rights into the PC category, and activated the right to nominate a logo to appear on the back of Manchester United shirts for the 24/25 season.

As seen at the recent Community Shield match, the logo is placed beneath the squad numbers and will be visible on the back of the shirt in Women’s Super League fixtures as well as certain other men’s, women’s and academy matches throughout the 2024/25 season.

Omar Berrada, Chief Executive Officer of Manchester United, says: “In a short time, we have seen that Snapdragon and Manchester United are a perfect fit.”

“We have achieved record breaking home, away and third shirt launches, enjoyed an insightful trip with members of the first team and club leadership to Qualcomm’s HQ and taken an innovative approach to the back of shirt rights. Against that backdrop, we are incredibly proud to announce the extension of our principal partnership.”

“We have ambitious plans for this club to continue to grow and win on and off the pitch. Qualcomm's commitment to join us on this journey shows the strength and depth of the bond between us, which we know will only be enhanced the more we work together."

Don McGuire, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Qualcomm Incorporated, says: "We are thrilled to extend our partnership with Manchester United, showcasing the Snapdragon brand on the Manchester United shirts through 2029.”

“Throughout our partnership, we look forward to helping the Club achieve its goals on the pitch and off the pitch as the Club reimagines Old Trafford and Carrington.”

“We’re excited to bring our technology partners onto the back of shirt and into the club community in unprecedented ways and enable new experiences for the 1.1 billion Manchester United fans around the world.”

2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Augmented reality is a key focus area for the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, which is now open for entries.

The awards, sponsored by CADS, 3D Cloud, Retail Technology Show 2025, and Business France, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

It’s free to enter and you can do so across multiple categories.

Key 2024 dates

Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed

30th October-6th November: Judging days

Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.