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Egypt's Al Ahly has signed the biggest investment deal in its history, bringing the dream of a stadium even closer

The Red Fortress opens the door to a new era

In a historic move that reflects Al Ahly's economic and sporting stature, Africa's “club of the century” has announced the largest investment contract in its history, and the biggest of its kind in the Middle East, with Vodafone. The strategic partnership represents a major step forward in sporting investment and ushers in a new phase in the Al Ahly Stadium project, which is now closer than ever to moving from a long-awaited dream to reality.

A grand celebration marked the signing ceremony, with the club's board of directors led by Mahmoud El Khatib in attendance, along with a number of ministers, the boards of Al Ahly's football, sports facilities and Al Qalaa Al Hamraa companies, Vodafone representatives, and several sporting, public and media figures.

Al Qalaa Al Hamraa, the company responsible for financing and building the Al Ahly Stadium project, signed a historic contract with Vodafone granting the company the naming rights to the stadium. Al Ahly Football Company also signed a new sponsorship agreement, making Vodafone the main sponsor on the first team's shirt for four years, in a deal worth more than any previous sponsorship contract.

The agreement stands as a defining moment in the club's sporting investment journey. It strengthens investment returns and helps finance a world-class stadium, reinforcing Al Ahly's position as one of the biggest sporting entities in the region.

El Khatib also presented the club's shirt to Mohamed Abdallah, chief executive officer and managing director of Vodafone Egypt and regional CEO of international markets at Vodafone Group, during the celebration that made the historic partnership official.

A dream that is now closer to reality

Mahmoud El Khatib said the signing of the strategic partnership with Vodafone is a new historic milestone in the club's journey. Al Ahly continues to deliver achievements thanks to its rich history, its fans, its members and its ongoing drive to develop resources in a way that guarantees fulfilment of its commitments and realisation of its future ambitions.

He also praised the Egyptian state, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, for supporting infrastructure and sports projects. El Khatib said the dream of Al Ahly fans to own a world-class stadium has become closer than ever.

He explained that the idea of working with Vodafone began during his treatment period at the start of this year, after he received an offer from the company. A series of meetings followed with Al Ahly's football company and those responsible for commercial rights, before the two sides reached the largest investment contract in the club's history.

He pointed out that the contract includes an innovative financial mechanism designed to protect Al Ahly's rights, fixing the value and ensuring the club benefits from any rise in the exchange rate while receiving its value in Egyptian pounds. According to him, this reflects the professionalism in managing the investment file.

Vodafone securing the naming rights to Al Ahly's stadium provides major financial support for the project, he added. He expressed full confidence in Qalaa Holding, chaired by Mohamed Kamel, to complete the stadium according to the planned timeline, despite the technical and engineering challenges that arose during implementation and were overcome.

The Al Ahly president revealed that he asked for changes to the stadium's design. These included replacing the concrete staircases with escalators, in line with the latest global standards and to offer fans a more advanced and comfortable experience, which has indeed been done.

El Khatib thanked Vodafone, Qalaa Holding, Al Ahly's football company and all the working teams. He also appreciated the efforts of the club's board of directors and executive management, praising the board's understanding of the health conditions he has faced since last September, and the way every individual has carried out their role to the fullest.

A partnership among the most successful sporting models

Gouhar Nabil, the Minister of Youth and Sports, described the current partnership between Al Ahly and Vodafone as one of the best and most successful in the sporting field. He expressed his happiness at a step that reflects the size and value of Al Ahly club.

He said the deal is in line with the direction of the political leadership and President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi's vision of investing in people. He expects it to deliver major benefits to Al Ahly, Vodafone, Egyptian sport, football and the Egyptian fan in general.

He added that his experience across sport and investment makes him fully aware of the partnership's value, bringing together two entities that carry the banner of leadership and success. It will serve Egyptian sport and enhance its standing.

The Minister of Youth and Sports said: “I was raised within Al Ahly club, and this is a source of pride for me, and I learned there that representing the name of Egypt and raising its flag is the loftiest goal. That is why today I am a minister for all Egyptians and for all sporting institutions, far from any affiliations, for the sake of elevating the name of Egypt in all sporting arenas.”

Historic partnership

Vodafone Egypt CEO and Managing Director Mohamed Abdallah, who also serves as Regional Chief of International Markets at Vodafone Group, confirmed that the relationship between the company and Al Ahly Club spans more than 25 years and has seen many shared successes and achievements.

He explained that the company is now opening a new chapter in that relationship, one that reflects Vodafone's belief that technology is the cornerstone of progress and helps expand the range of experiences and services offered to citizens.

He noted that this partnership is the first of its kind in the Middle East. Al Ahly's stadium will now carry the name “Vodafone”, making it the first in Egypt to bear the company's name. The move is part of a vision to create smart stadiums that use technology to improve the fan experience, from ticket booking and transport to attending matches and enjoying sporting events.

He stressed that Vodafone is the largest investor in digital and technological infrastructure in Egypt, with investments exceeding 125 billion pounds. He said investment in sport extends technology's role in improving citizens' lives.

Recent editions of global tournaments have shown that technology is now an essential part of the football experience, he added. The new partnership with Al Ahly aims to deliver real value to the Egyptian fan by developing the sports and football system.

He ended by thanking the Vodafone team and all partners in success, with special praise for Captain Mahmoud El Khatib and his forward-looking vision. His hope, he said, is that the next meeting will take place inside “Vodafone Stadium”.

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The history and future of Al-Ahly

Karim Eid, head of the commercial sector at Vodafone Egypt, hailed the partnership with Al Ahly Club as one of the most important strategic milestones in Egyptian sport.

He explained that the sponsorship deal runs for four years and aims to enrich the Egyptian fan experience while presenting a modern, advanced model for the sports system that keeps pace with the massive development taking place in football around the world.

Technology is at the centre of it all. He added that the main aim is to use it in developing Egyptian sport and to provide an integrated experience for the fan, in line with the latest global standards.

Meanwhile, Al Ahly Football Company chairman Ayman Fathy thanked the Minister of Youth and Sports and Captain Mahmoud El Khatib for his continued support in implementing the company's investment vision and maximising the club's resources.

Fathy also praised the professionalism and transparency shown by Vodafone during negotiations. He stressed that Al Ahly always looks for partners who share the same ambition and vision, and this partnership delivered exactly that.

He added that competition in football is no longer limited to the green rectangle. It now extends to investment and sponsorship, and the agreement with Vodafone includes many commercial rights that required great effort to shape into the best formula serving both sides.

He concluded by thanking Naira Ali, executive director of Al Ahly's football company, counsellor Shady El Barqouqi, who oversaw the legal side of the contract, and all the company's staff for their efforts in completing this historic deal, one that makes Vodafone part of Al Ahly Club's history and future.