Emirates and Arsenal Extend Partnership With Upcycled Aircraft Crest Sculpture
Emirates and Arsenal have extended one of football's longest-running sponsorships through 2033, deepening a partnership that began in 2006 and has since become one of the sport's most recognizable relationships. Under the renewed agreement, Emirates will continue as Arsenal's front-of-shirt, training kit, and stadium naming rights partner, extending what is already the Premier League's longest-standing front-of-shirt deal. The renewal, announced August 6, 2026, follows Arsenal's recent Premier League title win and builds on established initiatives such as the Emirates Cup and the Global Gooners program, which brings international supporters to North London. Emirates and @Arsenal . Now open until 2033. Two decades of memories, and the best are yet to come. pic.twitter.com/LjmO6imbls — Emirates (@emirates) August 6, 2026 Arsenal Chief Executive Richard Garlick called the timing meaningful, noting that Emirates has been part of the club's journey through its major milestones over the past two decades. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said the partnership has grown into something that extends well beyond a typical sponsorship, built around a shared goal of connecting fans to the club they support. To mark the extension, Arsenal and Emirates are running a series of anniversary activities, including a short film featuring former Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker, reflecting on two decades of shared history between the club, the airline, and their supporters. Aircraft parts become a football icon Building on that renewed partnership, Emirates and Arsenal unveiled a new piece of artwork on August 9, 2026: a 2.4-meter illuminated sculpture called The Aircrafted Arsenal Crest, built entirely from upcycled components taken from Emirates' Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. The installation, revealed at Emirates Stadium, reimagines Arsenal's famous cannon and shield emblem using retired aviation parts. Adding another iconic touch to our home @Emirates pic.twitter.com/PTBYtJQqku — Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 9, 2026 A main landing gear wheel hub from an A380 forms the center of the cannon's wheel, while a section of titanium bleed air duct has been reshaped into its barrel. Lightweight composite floor panels were built up to give the cannon its three-dimensional shape. The surrounding shield is made from sheets of Boeing 777 aluminum fuselage skin, with aircraft cargo tracks forming its outer edge and internal structure, and repurposed cargo floor panels and roller components used throughout. The Arsenal lettering across the crest was individually shaped from aircraft windows and fitted with warm white lighting, with additional lighting beneath the sculpture's black tile base. Nothing goes to waste when it's built to last. Reforged from retired aircraft parts, the Arsenal crest is ready for its next chapter with Emirates. pic.twitter.com/qPwpDtvrtY — Emirates (@emirates) August 9, 2026 Built by Emirates Engineering in Dubai The sculpture was designed and built over 34 days by a 15-person team of engineers, designers, mechanics, technicians, and painters from Emirates Engineering's Aircraft Material Upcycling division in Dubai. Components were selected for their strength and shape before being cleaned, cut, curved, machined, riveted, and assembled into the final piece. The crest was then painted to match Arsenal's official colors, fitted with lighting, and flown from Dubai to London aboard an Emirates SkyCargo freighter ahead of its installation at Emirates Stadium. Emirates said the project was designed to connect Arsenal's industrial origins, and the cannon symbol that has appeared in every version of the club's emblem since 1905, with the airline's own background in engineering and aviation. Unveiled ahead of the Emirates Cup The crest was formally unveiled by Sir Tim Clark and Arsenal Chief Executive Richard Garlick ahead of the club's match against Borussia Dortmund at the Emirates Cup. Clark said the sculpture reflects both the anniversary of the partnership and the precision and craftsmanship that define aviation and elite sport alike, while giving retired aircraft materials new purpose. Following its unveiling, the crest will be permanently displayed in Emirates' hospitality space at Emirates Stadium. RELATED American makes first US commercial airport delivery of synthetic jet fuel