Featured image credit: Everton FC
Everton has signed the third founding partner for its new home, with Anglo-Swiss watch brand Christopher Ward to offer a showroom experience in what the Premier League club claims is a first for a football stadium.
Christopher Ward, an existing sponsor of Everton, has stepped up its relationship with the club through the new long-term deal announced today (Wednesday).
As part of the benefits of founding partner status, the Christopher Ward brand will become recognised within Everton Stadium as a presenting partner of the ‘Dock On 1’ concept – a new social space of bars and restaurants that offers members a flexible matchday experience.
The creative team at Christopher Ward will help influence the design and experience of Dock on 1’s four socialising and dining experiences, which will all be based on the preferences and insight of modern football fans.
Dock on 1 will also incorporate the watch showroom experience. The new showroom will be open on non-matchdays as an invitation-only space in what will become Christopher Ward’s exclusive Northern Hub. Meanwhile on matchdays, the immersive space will operate as a Christopher Ward branded private dining experience.
Richard Kenyon, Everton’s chief commercial and communications officer, said: “This is the third founding partner we have announced this summer and represents an innovative collaboration which will provide a range of benefits not only to Christopher Ward and the club but directly to our supporters in some of the premium spaces in our new home.
“The development of Christopher Ward’s Northern Hub within the venue is unique and demonstrates how Everton Stadium can be used by our partners to support their brand and commercial growth ambitions.”
Christopher Ward joins Everton’s technical partner Castore and US-based catering giant Aramark as a founding partner of Everton Stadium.
Mike France, CEO and co-founder of Christopher Ward, said: “Becoming a founding partner of Everton Stadium represents a new high-water mark for the Christopher Ward brand, especially as the result of our partnership will be a unique, world-first experience for fans of both Everton and Christopher Ward.
“I’m not aware of a more exciting, innovative project that combines the worlds of premium watchmaking and elite sport. I can’t wait to invite our first guests in less than a year’s time.”
Everton has now entered its final season at its historic Goodison Park home. Everton started work on its new 52,888-capacity stadium in August 2021 and the project is due for completion later this year before the club moves into the venue ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Share this