The world of sports and digital innovation have once again converged as OKX, one of the leading cryptocurrency platforms globally, announces a major expansion of its partnership with Manchester City, the reigning champions of the English Premier League. Starting with the 2022/23 season, OKX will serve as the club’s Official Training Kit Partner, marking a significant milestone in the evolving relationship between cutting-edge Web3 technology and elite football.
This collaboration reinforces shared values of innovation, discipline, and long-term growth—both on the pitch and in the digital economy.
A Strategic Expansion of an Already Strong Partnership
Building on its earlier role as Manchester City’s Official Cryptocurrency Exchange Partner since March 2022, OKX now takes center stage in the team’s daily operations by being featured prominently on the training kits worn by both the men’s and women’s first teams. The men's squad debuted the new kit during their first pre-season training session, while the women’s team will begin wearing it upon their return to training.
This visibility during training—not just matchdays—highlights a deeper narrative: excellence is forged through preparation, repetition, and education. For OKX, this mirrors their core mission—to empower users with knowledge and tools that help them become responsible, informed participants in the crypto market.
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Shared Values: Innovation, Education, and Excellence
At the heart of this partnership lies a powerful alignment of principles. Manchester City’s rise to global football dominance has been built on relentless training, data-driven performance, and innovative thinking under manager Pep Guardiola. Similarly, OKX emphasizes user education, platform reliability, and technological advancement in the fast-moving world of blockchain and digital assets.
Haider Rafique, Global Chief Marketing Officer at OKX, emphasized this synergy:
"The real grit and perseverance is built on the training ground. This is the way we want to nurture new users on our platform. Being Man City's Official Training Kit Partner helps us extend that mindset from the training ground over to our trading app community."
He added that OKX encourages users to treat its demo trading feature like a training ground—practicing strategies risk-free before stepping into live markets, much like players prepare for real matches during practice sessions.
Roel de Vries, Group Chief Operating Officer at City Football Group, echoed these sentiments:
“We are pleased to expand our relationship with OKX today… Both parties believe everything starts with training and education.”
Since their initial collaboration began, the two organizations have co-created content experiences around high-profile fixtures, enhancing fan engagement through digital activations—a trend expected to grow with deeper integration into Web3.
Art Meets Sport: Celebrating Players Through Street Murals
To commemorate the launch of this new chapter, OKX commissioned renowned street artist Akse P19, in partnership with Global Street Art Agency, to create striking murals of key Manchester City stars: Erling Haaland, Jack Grealish, João Cancelo, and John Stones. These large-scale artworks are now displayed across four locations in Manchester.
Each mural includes a QR code that fans can scan for a chance to win exclusive rewards—including access to the OKX Hospitality Box at Etihad Stadium with a full season ticket. This blend of physical art, digital interaction, and real-world incentives exemplifies how modern sponsorships go beyond branding to create immersive fan experiences.
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Bringing the Trophy Closer to Fans: The Global Trophy Tour 2022
OKX is also the presenting partner of Manchester City’s 2022 Trophy Tour—the first global tour since 2019 following the club’s fourth Premier League title in five years. The tour will bring the coveted Premier League trophy directly to fans in countries including France, Spain, UAE, South Korea—and for the first time ever—Mexico, Norway, and South Africa.
This initiative underscores OKX’s global reach and commitment to connecting with diverse communities. By combining football fandom with blockchain innovation, OKX aims to introduce millions of new audiences to responsible crypto participation through educational campaigns launched alongside each stop on the tour.
Empowering Communities Beyond the Pitch
OKX’s ambitions extend beyond brand visibility. The partnership includes plans to deliver community programs focused on financial literacy, youth development, and digital inclusion in Manchester—especially in East Manchester, where the City Football Academy drives local talent development.
Through workshops, Web3 learning labs, and accessible trading simulations via the OKX app, the goal is to equip individuals with skills relevant in today’s digital-first economy. Whether aspiring traders or future athletes, the message remains consistent: success comes from preparation.
Core Keywords Driving Engagement
The strategic keywords embedded throughout this evolving partnership include:
- cryptocurrency exchange
- Premier League
- Manchester City partnership
- Web3 fan engagement
- responsible trading
- blockchain in sports
- training kit sponsorship
- OKX demo trading
These terms not only reflect search intent but also align with growing interest in how blockchain technology is transforming traditional industries like sports.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What does it mean for OKX to be Manchester City’s Training Kit Partner?
A: It means OKX branding appears on all official training gear used by both the men’s and women’s first teams during practice sessions and pre-match preparations. It symbolizes a shared focus on preparation, learning, and long-term excellence.
Q: Is OKX involved in matchday jerseys?
A: No—OKX is currently only featured on training kits. The front-of-shirt sponsorship remains with another partner. However, OKX holds multiple roles including crypto exchange partner and Trophy Tour presenter.
Q: How can fans participate in OKX x Man City promotions?
A: Fans can engage through QR codes on street art murals in Manchester, enter giveaways via social channels, or join educational events during the Global Trophy Tour. The OKX app also offers special demo challenges tied to match events.
Q: Does OKX offer educational resources for beginners?
A: Yes. OKX provides free learning materials, market simulations via its demo trading tool, and beginner-friendly guides on topics like Bitcoin, DeFi, NFTs, and risk management—all designed to promote responsible participation.
Q: Why are football clubs partnering with crypto platforms?
A: Clubs seek innovative ways to engage global fans and monetize digital experiences. Crypto partners bring technological expertise, especially in areas like NFTs, tokenization, and fan tokens—ushering in a new era of interactive support.
Q: Where can I download the OKX app?
A: The OKX app is available globally (where permitted) via okx.com, offering secure trading, wallet services, and Web3 exploration tools.
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Looking Ahead: A New Era of Sports-Tech Collaboration
As Manchester City continues its pursuit of domestic and European glory, OKX stands beside them—not just as a sponsor, but as a catalyst for change in how fans interact with sports in the digital age. From street art that bridges cities and cultures to Web3-powered fan experiences and community education initiatives, this partnership represents more than branding—it represents evolution.
In an era where digital identity, ownership (via NFTs), and decentralized finance are reshaping entertainment ecosystems, OKX and Manchester City are setting a benchmark for what modern sports partnerships can achieve.
For millions of fans and aspiring traders alike, the message is clear: whether you're aiming for a title or mastering market moves, great results start with great training.