Hyundai Motor Company has signed a multi-year agreement to become the Official Automotive Partner of the UEFA Champions League, starting from the 2026/27 season and continuing through to the end of the 2030/31 season.
The partnership gives Hyundai a new connection to the highest level of European club football and builds on the company’s long involvement with the sport. Hyundai has supported football for almost 30 years, including major international tournaments as well as clubs and football associations around the world.
The UEFA Champions League now adds another major competition to that football involvement.
A Global Brand With Strong European Links
Hyundai sees similarities between the company and the Champions League, particularly because both have a strong international presence while being closely connected to Europe.
The Champions League brings together players from different parts of the world to compete across Europe. Hyundai also operates across the continent, with its vehicles being designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe before being sold to customers across the region.
The partnership is also linked to Hyundai’s “Progress for Humanity” brand vision. Through its agreement with UC3, UEFA’s joint venture with European Football Clubs, Hyundai plans to use the Champions League and its mobility products to connect people from different cultures and communities.
The Champions League provides a large audience for this. The competition is considered the world’s most-watched annual club football tournament, with around one in three people worldwide showing an interest in it. The current format features 36 clubs, giving Hyundai a large platform to communicate with football fans.
Hyundai also plans to use the partnership to showcase areas beyond traditional cars, including robotics, physical AI, software and smart mobility solutions designed for European users.
Hyundai’s European Operations
Hyundai has had a significant presence in Europe for more than 30 years. Its European Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, is responsible for vehicle development and engineering, while the European Design Centre at the same location works on the company’s vehicle design.
Production is carried out at Hyundai plants in the Czech Republic and Türkiye. The company sells vehicles across 42 European markets through more than 2,000 sales and aftersales outlets.
IONIQ 3 Leads The Partnership
Hyundai’s first major vehicle associated with the Champions League partnership will be the all-electric IONIQ 3, which was designed in Europe specifically for European customers.
The compact hatchback was shown at Milan Design Week earlier this year and became the first battery-electric vehicle to enter production at Hyundai’s İzmit plant when production started in August. It is also the first of five major new models Hyundai plans to introduce in Europe during the 2026/27 season.
The IONIQ 3 enters one of Europe’s most competitive vehicle segments. Its Aero Hatch design helps deliver a claimed 0.263 Cd drag coefficient and up to 497 km of WLTP range.
It also has 441 litres of boot space, a spacious interior and a 14.6-inch display using Hyundai’s latest PLEOS Connect infotainment system.
Hyundai will continue offering customers a choice of powertrains, including battery-electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen fuel-cell electric and internal combustion options.
The IONIQ 3 also follows the company’s recent recognition in the European electrified vehicle market. The Hyundai INSTER was named the 2025 World Electric Vehicle, while the IONIQ 9 was named Germany’s 2026 Premium Car of the Year.
The new Champions League partnership gives Hyundai another way to promote its growing electrified range while connecting the brand with millions of football fans across Europe.
