Chicago, Ill. (March 17, 2022) – Today the Chicago Red Stars and United Airlines announced a new partnership making United the team’s official airline sponsor and travel partner for all away games. The new partnership will begin immediately with the team traveling to Houston this Saturday, March 19.
"To have a global brand like United join as a partner with the Red Stars further illustrates the strong trajectory of the club. When you consider the robust presence United has with Chicago sports, it was only natural for this partnership to happen. We look forward to a long, mutually beneficial partnership with our hometown airline", said Vicky Lynch, Red Stars' Chief Business Officer.
United Airlines’ robust network will allow Chicago Red Stars players, coaches and staff to travel to all away matches during the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Challenge Cup, NWSL regular season and postseason.
“For too long, women’s sports have been undervalued and overlooked and they are long past due for extraordinary recognition. United is committed to breaking down barriers and uplifting women both within our company, in the community and through strategic partnerships like this partnership with the Chicago Red Stars,” said Janet Lamkin, Senior Vice President of Market and Community Innovation. “In collaboration with the Red Stars, we will continue to look for ways to engage with women and girls in our community and create opportunities for all women to reach their dreams.”
In addition to facilitating travel for the team, the two Chicago-based organizations will collaborate to create co-branded marketing programs to increase both brand awareness for the Red Stars and bring opportunities for fans to engage with the team and airline both in the community and as the team travels. They will also work together to create opportunities to invest in and promote women and women’s sports in the Chicago community.
About the Chicago Red Stars
Established in 2007, the Red Stars were a founding member of the former Women’s Professional Soccer and would later become one of the original eight teams to form the National Women’s Soccer League in 2013. The Red Stars have made the playoffs in seven consecutive years from 2015-2021, while also competing in three championship matches in as many years including the 2019 and 2021 NWSL Championship and the 2020 Challenge Cup championship.
About United
United's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." In 2019, United and United Express® carriers operated more than 1.7 million flights carrying more than 162 million customers. United has the most comprehensive route network among North American carriers, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. For more about how to join the United team, please visit united.com/careers and more information about the company is at united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".