UnionPay, a global payments network, today announced that it is a premium sponsor of International Champions Cup 2018 in Singapore, a global pre-season tournament featuring three of Europe’s top football clubs and some of the world’s biggest football talents. To be held at the National Stadium in Summer 2018, International Champions Cup will be coming to Singapore, and it would be the tournament’s only stop in Southeast Asia.

International Champions Cup is the leading global pre-season tournament watched by over 140 million people from 170 countries around the world. Last year’s International Champions Cup 2017 in Singapore brought together over 100,000 football fans from all over the world in the National Stadium during the five-day tournament.

This year, International Champions Cup 2018 in Singapore is set to bring back some of football’s biggest clubs and brightest stars to light up the National Stadium once again with world-class football action. As a premium sponsor of International Champions Cup 2018 in Singapore, UnionPay will be offering exclusive privileges to Cardholders from Singapore, Southeast Asia and around the world, giving them special access to catch the action live. More details of the exclusive privileges and exciting campaigns will be released soon.

“We are thrilled to be a premium sponsor of the International Champions Cup 2018 in Singapore – the most exciting football tournament in Singapore this year. Football has the amazing ability to transcend boundaries, bringing people of all languages and nationalities together, akin to how we connect people, businesses and financial institutions via our global payments network. UnionPay has been a proud supporter of major events such as the 28th SEA Games, The Great Singapore Sale as well as the Singapore Golden Week, to name a few. We are now delighted to be extending our support to International Champions Cup 2018 in Singapore, bringing world-class football action to fans in our Lion City and the region. This is in line with our strategy to localise our brand and business in Singapore and Southeast Asia to better serve local consumers and communities.” said Vincent Ling, Deputy General Manager, UnionPay International Southeast Asia.

“International Champions Cup is a global event that strives to be locally engaged and relevant wherever it goes. Partnering with fast-growing and authentic Asian brands like UnionPay International is key to our strategy. We are extremely excited to work with the UnionPay team to bring the tournament closer to fans across Asia-Pacific and enhance their experience together,” said Ned Negus, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Catalyst Media Group Ltd.

Added Ms Jean Ng, Director, Sports, Singapore Tourism Board, "This new partnership between UnionPay and Catalyst Media Group would help reach out to more football fans from Southeast Asia and beyond, and increase the appeal of the International Champions Cup, as well as Singapore as a vibrant regional sports and entertainment hub.”