Fanatics, the global sports merchandising and e-commerce giant, has announced a new long-term partnership with Italian soccer giants Internazionale (Inter Milan).
The 10-year deal will see Fanatics provide e-commerce, manufacturing, and in-person retailing services to the Serie A club in what the pair have called “one of the most ambitious” partnerships in global soccer.
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Inter said Fanatics will work to expand the Italian club’s merchandising and licensing reach both in Italy and worldwide as it looks to boost its brand globally via exclusive collections, locally relevant designs, expanded product range, a seamless online and in-store experience, and improved product availability.
Fanatics will manage the partnership from its Italian headquarters in Milan. The headquarters encompasses a commerce office, a collectibles office, and a commerce warehouse, ensuring direct coverage of Italy and the wider European region.
Inter’s chief revenue officer Giorgio Ricci said: “Inter boasts a global fanbase of over 530 million people who are interested in our brand and ranks as the second fastest-growing European club since 2020.
“As our international presence continues to expand across every continent, it has become increasingly important for us to stay connected with our fans, wherever they may be.
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By GlobalData“To achieve this, we are proud to partner with a global leader in sports merchandising like Fanatics. This collaboration will transform the way Inter is present in the retail sector—not only in Italy, but even more so on the international stage.”
Inter will look to utilize Fanatics’ global ecommerce network which has seen it become a dominant player in global sports merchandising, including a significant presence in soccer.
Lorenzo Forte, chief executive of Fanatics Italy, said: “Inter means everything to its fans and we understand the responsibility that this deal brings.
“Our team in Italy will be laser-focused on delivering for this passionate fanbase, providing an outstanding service and creating exciting new ways for them to connect with their club.”
Fanatics has a similar long-term deal in place with fellow Serie A side Juventus that runs through the end of the 2034-35 season. It also has an e-commerce deal in place with rivals AC Milan that started in April 2023.
The new deal comes shortly after Fanatics announced it had set a new international (excluding US) sales record after French giants Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) won the UEFA Champions League club competition for the first time last month, beating Inter in the final.
Fanatics is the exclusive operator of PSG’s e-commerce business and is the master licensee for the entirety of its merchandising (barring Nike products and other co-branded offerings).
Both Inter and PSG are set to participate in the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup, hosted by the US, which starts this weekend (June 14).
