MUMBAI: Chinese payment platform giant Alipay has become the official global payment partner of UEFA for the next eight years.

The deal will see Alipay become a sponsor of the men’s national team from 2018 till 2026. It also includes UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024 and the UEFA Nations League finals.

UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said, “Alipay is at the forefront of digital payments and in association with its global partners, Alipay has unique connections with over 900 million users. We believe the partnership will further innovate the way in which UEFA engages with football fans around the world.”

According to UEFA's statement, the partnership aims to bring digital innovation to football fans, enhance their onsite experience and provide seamless payment and other services to fans in Europe and across the world.

Ant Financial executive chairman and CEO Eric Jing said, “We will empower UEFA to engage with football fans around the world through digital platforms and help UEFA reach and interact with billions of potential audience in Asia. By partnering with UEFA, we hope to share the passion and happiness of football with more people across the world and bring them the benefits of digital life.”

Alipay's first four-year cycle as a UEFA national team competitions sponsor will involve a total of eight competitions, spanning 420 matches and having an estimated total live audience of 7.4 billion people.