After a collective agreement by the clubs, the Premier League stated on Thursday that the gambling sponsorship on the front of clubs’ shirts will be removed by the end of the 2025–26 season.
Now, gambling companies are the shirt sponsors for eight of the top 20 clubs.
Existing contracts can be finished during the three-year transition period without incurring fines from clubs for early termination.
“Premier League clubs have today collectively agreed to withdraw gambling sponsorship from the front of clubs’ matchday shirts, becoming the first sports league in the UK to take such a measure voluntarily in order to reduce gambling advertising,” the Premier League said in a statement.
“The announcement follows an extensive consultation involving the League, its clubs and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport as part of the Government’s ongoing review of current gambling legislation.”
In Italy and Spain, gambling sponsors on the front of football shirts are already forbidden.
According to reports, the UK government’s assessment of gambling laws would refrain from outright banning front-of-shirt sponsorship because of the burden it would place on clubs farther down the league hierarchy.
Yet, there had been pressure on the Premier League, which has the greatest broadcast rights income of any football league in the world, to sign a voluntary deal.
The eight teams that currently have gambling sponsors on the front of their jerseys are Bournemouth, Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Leeds, Newcastle, Southampton, and West Ham.
Aston Villa has also agreed to a three-year contract with betting company BK8.
“The Premier League is also working with other sports on the development of a new code for responsible gambling sponsorship,” the Premier League statement added.
“To assist clubs with their transition away from shirt-front gambling sponsorship, the collective agreement will begin at the end of the 2025/26 season.”