GETTING READY FOR THE SUPERCOPPA ITALIANA IN RIYADH
Club
In a few hours, the floodlights at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be shining on the pitch where the Supercoppa Italiana final between AC Milan, the Champions of Italy, and FC Inter, winners of the 2021/22 Coppa Italia, will be held.
An important showdown for all Rossoneri fans, who are getting ready to support Stefano Pioli's squad from all corners of the globe. From Riyadh and Saudi Arabia, a country where the Club has more than seven million supporters*, to Milan, where the beating heart of the Rossoneri lies, the AC Milan world is preparing with special initiatives ahead of the final, with hundreds of international fan clubs also set to get together.
A big clash that transcends the boundaries of the pitch as initiatives take place to strengthen the AC Milan brand, which, in addition to being the strongest Italian football brand in several strategic markets (YouGov "Football Index" data), is becoming increasingly popular throughout the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) macro-region. In this region, AC Milan was the most-watched Italian team throughout the 2021/22 season, averaging 546,000 viewers per match. This figure peaked at around two million for Sassuolo v AC Milan, followed by AC Milan v Inter with 1.6 million viewers.
As a testament to the commitment of the Club to the Middle Eastern region, AC Milan has recently held several initiatives, including the Dubai Training Camp in December 2022, which was the Club's fourth visit to the country in the past year, and the renewal of the agreement with Emirates (the Rossoneri's Official Airline Partner and Principal Partner), one of the longest-standing partnerships in the world of football. Additionally, the AC Milan Academy project, which focuses on young people and future generations, has been present in Kuwait for more than ten years. It represents one of the investments to deepen the bond between the Club and fans in the region by generating sporting and social value both with and for the community through the practice of sport and the promotion of AC Milan's founding values.
FROM MILAN: THE CASA MILAN WATCH PARTY
Casa Milan will once again open its doors for a special Watch Party, which will see the participation of several VIPs and Celebrities, fans of the Rossoneri. The guests will be welcomed in the impressive setting of the Mondo Milan Museum, which exhibits the most iconic memorabilia relating to the Rossoneri's history, and experience all the emotions of the match within AC Milan's modern headquarters, with kick-off scheduled for 20:00 CET. It will be an exciting moment for the Club, which is always greatly interested in fan engagement and communication activities. AC Milan's aim is to transcend the boundaries of the pitch, thus positioning itself as a leader when it comes to lifestyle culture as well as a catalyst of passion.
FROM RIYADH: FRANCO BARESI AND DANIELE MASSARO MEET THE LOCAL FANBASE
In Riyadh, AC Milan is getting ready to welcome the many local Rossoneri supporters. Thanks to the Club's important partnership with PUMA, a special Meet&Greet will be held at the PUMA Store in Riyadh Park between 15:00 and 16:00 (local time) on Wednesday 18 January. Franco Baresi, Honorary Vice President, and Daniele Massaro, Brand Ambassador, will both be in attendance. Earlier today, meanwhile, Franco Baresi and Daniele Massaro paid a visit to the Prince Mohammed Bin Abdulaziz Hospital. Then, in the afternoon, they attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new AC Milan Pop-Up store in Layali Ali Diriyah, where fans were able to immerse themselves in the Rossoneri universe and buy official Club products and merchandise (open from 17:00 to 2:00).
"It is always an honor to represent AC Milan," said Daniele Massaro, Brand Ambassador of AC Milan. "We are here to play a final, but it is also an opportunity to showcase our brand, which is synonymous with excellence around the world. Wherever we go, the Rossoneri colours are always loved, especially at this current time when football is becoming ever more popular."
* Nielsen data
