21.9.2021 06:00:01 CEST | Play Magnus AS | Non-regulatory press releases
(Oslo, 21 September 2021) - Mastercard announced today that it is joining the
Meltwater Champions Chess Tour as an official partner and naming Magnus Carlsen,
the highest-rated chess player of all time, a Mastercard Global Brand
Ambassador, as it adds chess to its coveted roster of sports sponsorships.
Carlsen is a natural fit to join the company's all-star lineup of ambassadors,
which includes Lionel Messi, Naomi Osaka, Crystal Dunn and Dan Carter.
Over the past decade, Mastercard has developed one of the most well-rounded
sports and entertainment portfolios globally. In 2018, Mastercard became the
first global sponsor of League of Legends Esports in a multi-year partnership
with Riot Games, signifying Mastercard's support of the esports community. The
sponsorship portfolio also includes partnerships across arts and culture, the
culinary world, sports and music.
"Expanding the influence of the game of chess has always been close to my heart.
To have Mastercard, which brings people and their passions together in
meaningful ways, partner with the Tour is very exciting," said Carlsen. "Chess
has given me so many priceless experiences over the years, and I'm proud to join
Mastercard to bring the sport forward to millions of fans around the world."
From an initial boom on Twitch and streaming platforms to the Netflix series
"The Queen's Gambit," chess has grown and evolved significantly over the last 18
months. Online tournaments have also brought the popularity of chess to new
heights. More than 27 million hours of the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour have
been watched so far in its inaugural season, already more than all hours watched
of chess on Twitch in 2019 with the Tour Finals still remaining.
"Mastercard loves connecting people with their passions," said Raja Rajamannar,
chief marketing and communications officer, Mastercard. "Teaming up with Magnus,
widely regarded as the best chess player of all time, and the Meltwater
Champions Chess Tour underscores our enthusiastic commitment to provide
cardholders with Priceless Experiences that celebrate the physical and mental
sport of chess. We're excited to bring the global chess base closer to the game
they love and to engage with new enthusiasts."
"Having one of the most established brands in the sports world partner with us
is an incredible moment not only for Magnus and the Tour, but for the global
chess community," said Andreas Thome, CEO of Play Magnus Group. "With the Tour
we are proud that we have been able to build a platform for global brands like
Mastercard to activate with chess."
Together with Carlsen and the Tour, Mastercard is curating a wide range of
Priceless experiences and exclusive cardholder benefits, via -
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Priceless.com -
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upcoming promotions to help fans experience what they love about chess. Starting
today, cardholders can register on a first come first served basis for the Chess
Insights from World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen Experience on October 22nd.
Fans will get to join Carlsen during a live, virtual experience, and listen to
him speak about his passion for chess, with Carlsen answering select questions
from the live audience throughout the digital experience. Those who attend the
experience will also receive a one-month premium subscription to chess24.com -
http://chess24.com. Through this partnership, Mastercard will also create a chess-themed curriculum
for its signature science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
program, Girls4Tech?, continuing the brand's commitment to promote gender equity
and foster a future generation of female chess players.
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