I always find it interesting when global sporting events and financial technology cross paths. The latest example is the Laver Cup, which has just confirmed Alipay+ as a Global Sponsor and Official Payment Partner starting with the San Francisco edition in September 2025. The agreement runs through 2029, so this isn’t just a one-off sponsorship — it’s a long-term play. With Rolex, UBS, Mercedes-Benz, and now Alipay+ as a Global Sponsor, the Laver Cup continues to establish itself as one of the most innovative events on the tennis calendar. Personally, I’ll be watching closely — both for the matches and to see how this fintech-sports partnership plays out in practice.
Image: www.ant-intl.com
Why this matters
For those who may not know, Alipay+ is part of Ant International and connects more than 1.7 billion wallet users through a unified payment gateway. Add to that their reach across 200+ markets and regions, and you can see why this partnership is about more than payments at the stadium. It’s about building bridges between a premium tennis event and millions of fans, especially in the Asia-Pacific region where Alipay+ is particularly strong.
From the tournament side, this helps the Laver Cup tap into a broader fanbase. From Ant International’s perspective, it’s another chance to showcase digital engagement tools that support both consumers and businesses. They’ve already done similar work with UEFA EURO 2024 and Tottenham Hotspur, so this partnership feels like a natural next step.
The bigger picture
Ant International isn’t just rolling out Alipay+. The deal also includes WorldFirst and Antom, plus Ant Group’s flagship platform Alipay in China. Together, these brands give the Laver Cup a strong fintech backbone to support marketing, branding, and fan interaction across borders.
What I like here is the intent to go beyond just “sponsorship logos.” Ant International talked about creative branding, fan engagement activities, and driving growth for small and medium-sized businesses tied into these ecosystems. That’s where technology partnerships with sport get genuinely interesting.
A quick refresher on the Laver Cup
The Laver Cup is one of my favorite newer formats in tennis. It’s a three-day contest where Team Europe takes on Team World, played on that iconic black court. It alternates between Europe and international cities each year, and the San Francisco event in 2025 will be its eighth edition.
It’s officially part of the ATP Tour calendar, with results recorded for players. Behind the scenes, the event is a joint initiative by TEAM8, Tennis Australia, the USTA, and Jorge Paulo Lemann. That lineup alone tells you how seriously the tennis world takes it.
Tickets and fan access
If you’re thinking of attending, a very limited number of tickets are left. You can still grab seats for the Open Practice Day on September 18 (presented by FICO) — tickets start at $20 ($31.65 with fees) via Ticketmaster. Also, if you want regular updates and offers, you can register as a Laver Cup Insider at lavercup.com.
Final thoughts
To me, this move reinforces how sports sponsorships are shifting. It’s not just about slapping a logo on the court; it’s about creating meaningful connections between fans, events, and the technology they use every day.