Watford Sign Stakemate As Back-Of-Shirt Sponsor
Watford have confirmed Stakemate as their official back-of-shirt partner on match-worn shirts for the 2026/27 season, the club announced on September 23, 2026.
The social sports betting app's branding sits horizontally under the squad number at the base of the shirt, the club said, joining what it described as a "diverse stable of club partners."
Why Watford Chose Stakemate
Watford FC commercial director Ben Newlyn said the club had run a thorough selection process before confirming the deal. “We have undertaken a thorough process in selecting this partner and believe its positioning within our inventory to represent an alignment with our goals,” Newlyn said. “Stakemate are a responsible gambling partner, operating to the highest standards of safer practice, and offer a strong commercial prospect for the club.”
Stakemate chief executive Arya Tayebi said the London-headquartered operator was looking forward to working with the club's supporters. “We're very excited to support a club with such a proud history, a devoted fanbase and a renowned community focus,” Tayebi said. “We’re looking forward to working in partnership with the club to give back to supporters.”
A Social Sportsbook Building Its UK Presence
Stakemate, which launched in the UK in 2022 and holds a UK Gambling Commission licence, positions itself as a social sportsbook built around group betting, shared accumulators and in-app chat between friends. The operator said it will bring fan initiatives and support for community projects through the Watford partnership.
The deal arrives a season after Watford moved their front-of-shirt sponsorship away from gambling. The club replaced online casino MrQ, which had been the principal shirt sponsor for three seasons, with heating and energy firm BOXT from 2026/27 following a stated intention to “actively explore” a non-gambling lead sponsor.
Watford’s previous principal partner before MrQ was Stake.com, which signed a club-record deal in 2021. The deal keeps a betting brand visible on Watford's shirt even as the club's primary sponsorship moves away from gambling.
