Barclays becomes the Official Banking Partner of The Championships, Wimbledon from 2023
- New multi-year deal agreed for Barclays to become the Official Banking Partner of Wimbledon
- The deal includes the biggest ever donation made by an official partner to the Wimbledon Foundation, the official charity of The All England Lawn Tennis Club and The Championships
- Adding to Barclays’ investment within community to create opportunities through sport
- Top 20 player and Grand Slam semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe announced as Barclays’ tennis ambassador
Barclays and The All England Lawn Tennis Club today announced a new multi-year deal for the bank to become the Official Banking Partner of The Championships, Wimbledon from 2023. Alongside its partnership with the world-renowned tennis event, Barclays will donate an annual contribution to the Wimbledon Foundation, the official charity of the Club and The Championships, which represents the biggest ever donation made by an official partner.
This impactful partnership unites two iconic British institutions. The first Barclays bank opened 330 years ago and, as the world’s oldest tennis tournament, Wimbledon was first staged in 1877. The beginnings of this banking partnership date back to the 1960s, when Barclays’ first sub-branch in the area was built directly below the stands of Wimbledon’s Centre Court, a unique venue which opened its doors only for the fortnight of The Championships. A new chapter of the partnership now begins, with Barclays and Wimbledon joining forces to celebrate the very best of tennis, while continuing to create and champion opportunities for all.
Helping to launch the partnership, Barclays have enlisted a tennis player who’s no stranger to the Wimbledon courts, Frances Tiafoe.
Tom Corbett, Group Head of Sponsorship and Media at Barclays, says ‘We’re incredibly honoured and excited to be working in partnership with one the world’s most prestigious sporting events and to announce that we’ve signed Frances Tiafoe as our tennis ambassador. Our joint commitment to create legacy, through Barclays’ community programmes and the Wimbledon Foundation, means through this partnership we can deliver lasting impact and continue to create opportunities through Sport.’
Frances Tiafoe says, “I’m thrilled to be working with Barclays to help change the lives of young people who typically wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience the game of tennis. Growing up, playing at Wimbledon was my dream, so to be an Ambassador for Barclays, the new banking partner for Wimbledon, is very special.”
Sally Bolton OBE, Chief Executive of The All England Lawn Tennis Club, says ‘We are delighted to welcome Barclays as the Official Banking Partner of The Championships. Barclays’ commitment to creating access to sport for all is something that we are passionate about and, thanks to their generous support of the Wimbledon Foundation, will be a central theme of our partnership.’
Barclays will work closely with the Wimbledon Foundation to pursue their shared commitment of creating opportunities for more people to grow and thrive in their communities, and often using sport to achieve this. Since 2013, the Wimbledon Foundation has established a strong record of using the collective strength of Wimbledon to make a positive difference to people’s lives year-round at a local, national, and international level.
Paige Murphy, Head of the Wimbledon Foundation, says ‘We are very thankful for Barclays’ commitment to support the Wimbledon Foundation in such a significant way. With our shared ambition of championing and creating opportunities for all in mind, the years ahead will be exciting for us as we work together on a programme that has the potential to make a positive and inspiring impact on the lives of so many.’
With a deep-rooted commitment to foster change, Barclays have been a dedicated force in creating better access to opportunities for all through sport. Beyond its long-term sponsorship of the Premier League, Barclays was a pioneer in its support in women’s and girls’ football with its record investments since 2019 into The Barclays Women’s Super League and the FA Girls’ Football School Partnership with an ambition to give girls equal access to football in schools by 2024.
This year, Barclays has doubled down on its commitment, becoming the first title sponsor of the FA Women’s Championship and rolling out the Barclays Community Football Fund which offers grants and resources to grassroots football groups.
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Barclays
Barclays is a British universal bank. We are diversified by business, by different types of customer and client, and geography. Our businesses include consumer banking and payments operations around the world, as well as a top-tier, full service, global corporate and investment bank, all of which are supported by our service company which provides technology, operations and functional services across the Barclays Group. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website home.barclays.
About Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, is the oldest of the four tennis Grand Slams and the only one played on grass. Managed by The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) and staged on the AELTC Grounds, Wimbledon has evolved from its origins as a private members’ croquet club in 1868, to one of the world’s biggest annual sporting events and one of the most well-respected brands in sport.
Visit www.wimbledon.com and follow us @wimbledon on all major social media platforms.
About the Wimbledon Foundation
The Wimbledon Foundation is the official charity of The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and The Championships. Its mission is to champion opportunity for all using the collective strength of Wimbledon to make a positive difference to people’s lives. The Wimbledon Foundation is guided by four goals: strengthening the local community, promoting healthy and active lives, inspiring the next generation, and responding in times of need. The Wimbledon Foundation is a registered charity (1156996) and a company limited by guarantee (8559364). Visit www.wimbledon.com/foundation and @WimbledonFdn to find out more.
About Frances Tiafoe
Frances Tiafoe nicknamed (Big Foe), is an American tennis player whose unlikely rise makes him a player like no other in his era. Frances was born in Hyattsville, Maryland and is the son of Sierra Leonean immigrants. He was raised at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in Maryland where his father worked as the head of maintenance. After a long day on the job, his father spent his nights in a back room at the complex, with Frances and his twin brother, Franklin. Eventually, a six-year-old Frances was seen by coaches pounding tennis balls with growing ferocity against the facility’s hitting wall every morning and night and was soon admitted to the Center.
Frances is now ranked #19 in the world. He has embraced his position both as one of the few African American players on tour and as a role model to the next generation of young tennis players.