Visit Detroit Announces Partnership With Burnley

Visit Detroit has announced a long-term partnership to become the official U.S. destination partner of Burnley FC, the English club that will play next season in the Championship and is one of the founding members of the English Football League.

The partnership included Visit Detroit as the Clarets shirt partner at last weekend’s The Soccer Tournament in Cary, North Carolina, as well as becoming the exclusive Travel Wear Partner for the club.

“Just as music wouldn’t be music and cars wouldn’t be cars without Detroit, football wouldn’t be football without Burnley FC,” said Claude Molinari, president and chief executive officer of Visit Detroit. “For more than 140 years, Burnley FC has been marching forever forward and Visit Detroit is excited to join their campaign for promotion and ascendancy in English and global football. Together, we will showcase the passion of our communities, forging a powerful connection between Detroit and the beautiful game.”

Burnley spent the past season in the Premier League, finishing 19th and going down to the EFL Championship. The club is two-time league champions, most recently in 1959-1960, and its most recent manager, Vincent Kompany, was recently hired by German powerhouse club Bayern Munich. Among its investors is former NFL star JJ Watt and his wife, former U.S. national team player Kealia Watt.

“We are delighted to begin this new journey with Visit Detroit in this remarkable partnership,” said Marcus Mellor, head of commercial at Burnley FC. “Football transcends geographical boundaries, and I’m pleased that through this collaboration we can strengthen our ties with US communities and fly the Clarets flag stateside as we celebrate the passion for the beautiful game.”