Walton Fan named powered-by sponsor of SAFF Championship

Walton Fan has become the powered-by sponsor of the 15th SAFF Championship 2026, extending its longstanding support for football in Bangladesh. The country’s leading fan brand joins the regional tournament following its sponsorship of international fixtures involving the national team and women’s football competitions.

The six-nation tournament begins at the National Stadium in Dhaka on Thursday, November 5, and concludes with the final on November 17. The championship returns to Bangladesh after eight years, with the hosts looking to make the most of home support.

Bangladesh have been drawn in Group A alongside Sri Lanka and Bhutan, while Group B comprises India, the Maldives and Pakistan. India face Pakistan in the opening match at 3:30pm on Thursday, followed by Bangladesh’s encounter with Bhutan at 8:00pm. The hosts will take on Sri Lanka at 8:00pm on November 11.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, both scheduled for November 14.

Walton, a prominent corporate supporter of sports in Bangladesh, has maintained its involvement in football through sponsorship of national team fixtures of men and women’s competitions.

Walton Chief Marketing Officer Zoheb Ahmed said, “Football holds a special place in the hearts of people across Bangladesh. That shared passion has inspired Walton’s longstanding support for both men’s and women’s football. We are delighted to associate Walton Fan with a prestigious tournament like the SAFF Championship on home soil. We hope the competition will encourage more young people to take an interest in football and that Bangladesh’s performance will give fans across the country plenty to celebrate.”

The company was a co-sponsor of the 2025 women’s tri-nation football tournament. Walton BLDC Fan also co-sponsored the Bangladesh-Singapore fixture in the 2025–26 Asian Cup qualifying campaign, while Walton Fan was an associate sponsor of the Bangladesh-India match on November 18, 2025. Walton also co-sponsored Bangladesh’s away fixture against Hong Kong on October 9 that year.

The company’s support for women’s football stretches back several years. Walton sponsored the Bangladesh team at the 2016 SAFF Women’s Championship in India, providing financial assistance for sports equipment. It subsequently supported the Bangladesh women’s team’s tour of Singapore and the under-16 women’s team’s tour of China through the provision of sporting kits.

Alongside sponsorship, Walton has recognised the achievements of women footballers. The company and the Bangladesh Football Federation jointly hosted a reception for the national women’s team following their runners-up finish at the 2016 SAFF Women’s Championship. Walton also honoured the Bangladesh team that finished runners-up at the 2018 SAFF Under-15 Women’s Championship.

Walton Fan’s association with this year’s SAFF Championship builds on that involvement, bringing the brand alongside supporters as Bangladesh hosts South Asia’s premier football competition.