January 28 – Fast food will combine with top-level sport again this spring as the Asian Football Confederation has added McDonald’s as an official regional partner of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026.
Under the agreement, McDonald’s Australia will activate around the competition domestically, leveraging its retail network and brand reach to support fan engagement across the three-week tournament.
The partnership links Asia’s flagship women’s national team event with one of the most recognisable consumer brands in Australia, reinforcing the AFC’s push to secure blue-chip commercial partners ahead of the tournament kickoff in just over four weeks’ time.
The deal builds on McDonald’s long-standing association with sport and grassroots participation in Australia, as it looks to offer a platform to connect with fans around the tournament both inside and outside stadia. The partnership has rolled out a roster of planned activations, including in-restaurant promotions and at-home matchday engagement, aligning the brand with the competition across multiple consumer touchpoints.
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup will be staged in Australia from March 1-23 across three host cities: Perth, the Gold Coast and Sydney. The tournament follows Australia’s co-hosting of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
Datuk Seri Windsor John, the AFC General Secretary, said: “McDonald’s is one of the most recognisable brands across the globe, and we thank them for recognising the value and stature of Asian football through this landmark partnership as we look to organise a world-class AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026.
“Both the AFC and McDonald’s share a passion for football and a commitment to promoting the beautiful game and we look forward to working closely together to create more unforgettable moments for our fans around the world.”
Mary Vrancic, Senior Marketing Director at McDonald’s Australia, said: “We’re thrilled to be the Official Regional Partner of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. Women’s football has seen incredible growth in recent years and being able to support that momentum is something we’re genuinely proud of.
“Supporting sport, at every level, has long been a key pillar for us, because it reflects who we are as a brand: connected to community, passionate about inclusion, and committed to bringing people together through a shared love of the game.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1771637537labto1771637537ofdlr1771637537owedi1771637537sni@g1771637537niwe.1771637537yrrah1771637537
