Essendon lands Airwallex as co-major partner in multi-year deal

Essendon Football Club has signed a multi-year co-major partnership with Melbourne-founded fintech Airwallex, marking the company’s first major sports sponsorship in Australia.

Under the deal, Airwallex branding will feature on the front of Essendon’s AFL playing and training guernseys, alongside integration across digital, match-day and community assets.

The partnership also extends beyond logo placement. Essendon will deploy Airwallex’s spend and expense management tools across its commercial operations, including corporate cards and automated reimbursement workflows aimed at improving financial visibility and overhead control.

Airwallex, founded in Melbourne in 2015 and now operating with dual headquarters in Singapore and San Francisco, positions the deal as a signal of its next growth phase.

Essendon president Andrew Welsh said the club sought a partner aligned with its rebuild strategy.

"We are incredibly proud to partner with Airwallex, a homegrown Melbourne success story that has successfully taken on the global stage," Welsh said.

"Both the Bombers and Airwallex are in a period of exciting transformation. While they are building the future of global finance, we are building the future of our football club. It was vital for us to align with a partner that values speed, innovation and community. Airwallex won’t just be a prominent part of our guernsey, they will provide the tools to help our club run more efficiently as a modern sports business."

For Airwallex, the deal adds to a growing global sports portfolio that includes partnerships with McLaren Racing, Arsenal FC and the San Francisco Giants.

James Teodorini, head of ANZ at Airwallex, framed the move as backing Essendon’s next chapter.

“Melbourne is where Airwallex was founded, and where Essendon has built one of the great legacies in Australian sport. Essendon’s history is clear. What’s exciting now is the next phase with a young core, long-term belief, and a clear commitment to building sustained success."

Airwallex will also integrate into Essendon’s business network, with a focus on B2B engagement across the club’s corporate community.