The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partner, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, have confirmed a new soft drinks partnership with the Irish Football Association (Irish FA) and the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL).

This collaboration will see Coca-Cola support both national and domestic teams through various matchday activations, social media content, and exclusive fan events. A range of brands from the company's portfolio, including Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, and Powerade, will be featured prominently at fixtures and within branding activities.

The move marks a significant investment in grassroots and domestic football within the region. Coca-Cola has a long-standing history in Northern Ireland, operating for over 86 years and employing 550 people at its production facility in Lisburn. Simon Fitzpatrick, General Manager of Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: "Football in Northern Ireland is a proudly established and widely supported institution, bringing local talent together through a shared love of the beautiful game. From domestic to the national teams, we are excited to enhance the matchday experience for football fans by offering a range of our products, from Coca-Cola to Powerade, as they come together to support their teams."

Gerard Lawlor, Chief Executive of the NI Football League, welcomed the three-year deal, stating: "Having a world-renowned brand such as Coca-Cola on board is another exciting development for the Northern Ireland Football League and our member clubs. This partnership is another big step in growing the league to an even wider audience as well as enhancing the current matchday experience for our regular match-going supporters. This is an investment in domestic football in Northern Ireland and will bring a major benefit to our clubs over the next three years."

Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive of the Irish Football Association, added: "It's great to see such a huge global brand supporting football in Northern Ireland, and we are delighted Coca-Cola has become the official soft drinks partner of the Irish FA. I have no doubt Coca-Cola's involvement will help to promote football among a wider audience in Northern Ireland – and that's always good for the game."

While Coca-Cola is well-known for sponsoring global tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA EUROS, this latest announcement focuses on supporting local communities and the domestic game across Northern Ireland.