GAC Named Official Pre-Season Tour Partner for Chelsea's Hong Kong, Malaysia Legs
The carmaker's sponsorship covers Chelsea FC's Asia tour fixtures, including the 9 August match against Johor Darul Ta'zim at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.
HONG KONG – Automaker GAC has been named one of Chelsea FC's Official Pre-Season Tour Partners in Hong Kong and Malaysia, with the deal seeing the company back the club's Men's First Team during both legs of the tour.
In a statement issued on 6 August 2026, GAC said the pre-season tour marks Chelsea FC's return to the Asia-Pacific region, with the Men's First Team scheduled to play high-profile fixtures across Australia, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia and Malaysia.
Chelsea faced Italian giants Juventus at Hong Kong's Kai Tak Stadium on 5 August before taking on Malaysian champions Johor Darul Ta'zim at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor Bahru on 9 August. The two matches, the statement said, provide a platform for GAC and Chelsea FC to engage football fans across the region.
GAC, a Fortune Global 500 company, said it has accelerated its global expansion in recent years, including through tie-ups with football clubs such as Sydney FC (Australia), Deportivo Toluca (Mexico), Flamengo (Brazil) and Millonarios (Colombia).
The partnership is underpinned by the company's growing presence in the two host markets. In Hong Kong, GAC said it ranked No. 1 in the private electric vehicle market in April 2026, while its cumulative market share exceeded 10 per cent in the first half of the year, reinforcing its position in the city's new energy vehicle sector.
In Malaysia, the GS3 EMZOOM and EMKOO — assembled locally through CKD production — have continued to gain market recognition among local consumers, according to the statement.
GAC said the speed, passion and team spirit embodied in football align closely with the brand's pursuit of driving excellence and its commitment to exceeding customer expectations.
By partnering a world-class club such as Chelsea FC, the company said it aims to strengthen its brand presence across the Asia-Pacific and beyond while showcasing its innovation, quality and commitment to smarter mobility.
GAC added that it would continue to expand its global footprint through innovation, quality and collaboration, creating greener, smarter and more sustainable mobility solutions for customers worldwide.
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