GAC Becomes Villarreal CF's Official Automobile Partner and Left-Sleeve Sponsor
Chinese automaker GAC will sponsor Villarreal CF's left sleeve and serve as the club's Official Automobile Partner for the rest of the 2026-27 season and all of 2027-28.
- 2 seasons
- 8 consecutive years
- 2008
- 2025
What Happened
Villarreal CF and Chinese automaker GAC have reached an agreement that makes GAC an official club partner for the remainder of the 2026-27 season and the entirety of the 2027-28 season. GAC will display its logo on the left sleeve of Villarreal's match kit and serve as the club's Official Automobile Partner. The deal was formalized at the Estadio de la Cerámica, with Villarreal CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles and GAC Europe President and Global Vice President Ocean Ma both present.
“This is a new ally and a globally reaching company that joins our project. For us, that GAC wants to go hand in hand with Villarreal CF is a true honor. Furthermore, I believe both parties benefit greatly from this agreement. For us, it means having a new and prestigious partner; and for GAC, it means increasing their visibility with a club that competes in two of the most important competitions in the world, such as the Champions League and the Spanish LaLiga.”
“GAC International is deeply honored to partner with Villarreal CF. The team spirit, passion, and constant pursuit of excellence that football represents deeply connect with GAC's values of innovation and continuous improvement. We believe this collaboration is not only an important step in strengthening GAC's presence in Europe but also allows us to get even closer to European fans and customers. GAC remains firmly committed to offering high-quality products and services, and to building a better future for mobility together with European users.”
GAC Motor is a Chinese automotive manufacturer headquartered in Guangzhou and a subsidiary of GAC Group, one of China's largest automotive groups. Founded in 2008, the group has maintained strategic alliances with Toyota and Honda for decades. It ended 2025 as the Chinese independent brand with the highest three-year residual value. The group markets vehicles under the GAC, AION, and HYPTEC brands, focusing on electrification, technology, and innovation, with the motto 'The Engineer's Car.'
8years
GAC Motor was the highest-ranked Chinese brand from 2013 to 2020.
Why this matters
This deal helps GAC build visibility in Europe by linking its brand to a football club playing in LaLiga and the Champions League, with Ocean Ma saying it brings GAC closer to European fans and customers. For Villarreal CF, the agreement adds a globally reaching company as an official partner, which CEO Fernando Roig Negueroles calls a prestigious boost to the club's project. Both sides describe themselves as being in a process of full growth.
Terms in This Story
- residual value
- The expected value of a vehicle after a set period, such as three years; a higher residual value means the car keeps more of its original purchase price.
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