AC MILAN CELEBRATES THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF CASA MILAN DUBAI: A YEAR OF GROWTH IN THE MIDDLE EAST
Club
AC Milan is thrilled to mark the first anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai, celebrating a landmark year of growth and engagement across the Middle East. Since opening its doors, Casa Milan Dubai has established itself as a vital hub for AC Milan in the region, supporting the Club's local strategy and reinforcing the Club's strategic global expansion under RedBird Capital's leadership. The Rossoneri's strengthened presence has cemented AC Milan as the most supported Italian football club in the MENA region and the top Italian team in popularity within both Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
This milestone aligns with AC Milan's 125th Anniversary, making it a particularly meaningful celebration for both the Club and its fanbase. To celebrate this anniversary, last night AC Milan lit up the Dubai skies in an impressive drone show in collaboration with Cyberdrone, filling the air with some of the Club's most distinctive symbols, including its legendary crest, the iconic red and black jersey and the 125th Anniversary logo.
Maikel Oettle, Chief Commercial Officer of AC Milan, commented: "The first anniversary of Casa Milan Dubai marks a significant milestone for us, reflecting AC Milan's unwavering commitment to our fans and partners in the Middle East. Over the past year, Casa Milan Dubai has become a true focal point for all our operations in the region - a testament to AC Milan's global growth, but also a foundation for future collaborations and engagements that will continue to deepen our connection with this vibrant market."
Casa Milan Dubai officially opened in November 2023 as a testament to AC Milan's commitment to the UAE and the whole Middle Eastern region, setting the stage for a profound connection with key stakeholders, from institutions to existing partners, including Emirates (Principal Partner - and a partner since 2007), SIRO (Official Hotel Partner) and CFI Financial Group (Official Online Trading Partner).
Over the past few years, which led to the opening of Casa Milan Dubai, AC Milan has focused on deepening its presence in the Middle East across three key areas: commercial and institutional partnerships, brand visibility, and grassroots development.
The Club has deepened its relationships with key local institutions - including the Dubai Sports Council and the UAE's Ministry of Economy - through numerous visits from members of the Club's leadership team. These strengthened ties, along with the existing partners and the recent addition of CFI Financial Group as a Global Partner, underscore AC Milan's commitment to supporting and engaging with the region's dynamic business landscape.
AC Milan has also amplified its brand presence through impactful activations, including at the prestigious Dubai World Cup 2024 in collaboration with Emirates, and EXPO Dubai 2020. Additionally, initiatives like ‘A Light That Never Fades' brought AC Milan's iconic colors to life by illuminating the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, in red and black.
The Club also reiterated its commitment to youth development in the region through the launch of grassroots initiatives, including the AC Milan International Academy in Dubai, which is now set to expand to include female players, and the recent launch of the AC Milan Academy Pro in Bahrain - in a region that already hosts the Club's longest-standing AC Milan Academy, established over 15 years ago in Kuwait, offering a platform that has engaged and empowered over 5,000 young boys and girls.
As a result of AC Milan's dedicated efforts in the region, the Club has significantly strengthened its leadership in the Middle Eastern market, now amassing a fanbase of over 35 million across the MEA (Middle East and Africa) region, making it the most supported Italian football club in the area. AC Milan has also established itself as the top Italian team in popularity within both Saudi Arabia and the UAE and recorded the highest TV viewership across Africa and the Middle East during the 2023/24 season, reaching over 25 million viewers.
These achievements reflect AC Milan's dedication to engaging fans and building brand loyalty across the Middle East, positioning the Club as the top Italian football brand in the region. The Club's commitment to the region will continue to drive AC Milan's growth and prominence in this vibrant market.
