The Next Level: DHL delivers to Chinese football fans

The world's leading express and logistics company joins forces with China’s premiere football association – the Chinese Super League (CSL) – in support of football in China.

On July 29, 2014, DHL and the Chinese Football Association Super League (CSL) jointly announced that DHL has become an official partner of CSL The world's leading express and logistics company and the nation's premiere football association agreed on a major sponsorship package which will run from 2014 through 2017.

The partnership underscores DHL's long-term commitment to the China market, its support for the development of Chinese football, and its recognition of CSL as the top level of Chinese association football.

Football is riding high in China, attracting ever more fans and viewers. DHL wishes to build on this growing excitement and support a sport that embodies the company’s values of speed, passion and teamwork. We want to help deliver the passion and excitement of football in China to fans as well as DHL customers and employees.

Launched in 2004 as a re-brand of the old Jia-A league, CSL has seen attendance levels steadily rise over the past half-decade after a somewhat shaky start in the early years. The league now has 16 teams and is China’s most attended sport. Nearly 4.5 million filled the stadiums at 240 matches in 2013 and the accumulated TV audience was just under 337 million – a 29% increase over 2012. CSL is broadcast on 19 channels, including China’s national CCTV.

DHL is a proud sponsor of a number of top organizations and premier events – a quick look at the stream right here at DHL InMotion will take you into the brand world of DHL’s partnerships.

DHL has a long history of partnering with some of the world's most prestigious events such as Formula 1 and Rugby World Cup 2015, and Manchester United, the world's biggest football club. (DHL Express CEO, Ken Allen)

At the signing ceremony, Mr. Ken Allen, CEO of DHL Express, commented on the significance of the partnership, “Globally, DHL has a long history of partnering with some of the world's most prestigious events such as Formula 1 and Rugby World Cup 2015, and Manchester United, the world's biggest football club. This latest partnership celebrates the shared values we have with CSL and the sport of football, including speed, passion and teamwork – the same ones we strive to deliver for our customers.”

"We are pursuing the same brand spirit with DHL, which is speed, passion and teamwork,” added Vice President of the Chinese Football Association Yu Hongchen. “The partnership with a globally-respected company like DHL will definitely help CSL to sustain its healthy growth momentum.”

Sports ignites passion and we are passionate about sports. Joining forces with CSL is therefore a perfect fit. We hope to the strong tradition of DHL will help strengthen CSL, leveraging the passion and support for football in China and taking the game to the next level.

Filter the DHL InMotion Stream for "Sports" and you'll see just how passionate we are.