Watford Sign Stakemate As Back-Of-Shirt Sponsor

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.”

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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.