ExpressVPN lands official support deal for 2026 World Cup

ExpressVPN has become an official supporter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in its biggest sports sponsorship to date.

The deal covers the US, Canada and Europe, where ExpressVPN will be the tournament's exclusive VPN supporter. Its branding will appear on LED pitch-side boards during matches, giving the cybersecurity company exposure to an expected global audience of about 6 billion.

The sponsorship also includes a ticket sweepstake offering 50 tickets across the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final, aimed at giving fans access to the tournament's closing stages.

The agreement links a consumer cybersecurity brand with one of the world's largest sporting events at a time when travel and public internet access can increase online risks. Millions of supporters are expected to move between airports, hotels, stadiums and other venues across the US, Canada and Mexico during the competition.

That environment has become a focal point for companies selling online privacy and security products. Public Wi-Fi networks, foreign mobile connections, and spikes in digital activity around ticketing and merchandise are common targets for phishing and spoofing attempts during major international events.

A 2023 Forbes Advisor survey found that 41 per cent of travellers said their security had been compromised on public Wi-Fi. In Australia, nearly half of people experienced at least one form of cybercrime in the past year, according to a 2024 report by the Australian Institute of Criminology.

ExpressVPN said the World Cup is likely to be one of the busiest periods in the cybersecurity calendar because of the volume of travel and the number of unfamiliar networks fans will use. It pointed to risks including phishing tied to ticket sales and merchandise, surveillance on foreign SIM cards, data theft on open networks, and so-called "evil twin" attacks, in which attackers mimic legitimate venue Wi-Fi services.

The sponsorship also gives ExpressVPN a broad consumer marketing platform beyond traditional cybersecurity channels. Alongside in-stadium branding and the ticket promotion, it will run advertising on digital displays in Times Square in the week leading up to the final.

Founded in 2009, ExpressVPN is best known for its virtual private network product but has expanded into password management, identity protection, inbox privacy tools and AI-related services. The business has been part of Kape Technologies since 2021.

Major sports tournaments have increasingly attracted technology, cybersecurity and digital services groups seeking global visibility alongside established sponsors in sectors such as finance, automotive and consumer goods. For cybersecurity providers in particular, the link between international travel, public connectivity and fraud risk offers a direct consumer message tied to the event itself.

"The FIFA World Cup 2026 is the greatest show on Earth, and our goal is for fans to experience every moment of it securely, without their data being stolen in the process. By bringing this vision to the global stage and onto the world's largest screens, we are fulfilling our mission. We are thrilled to give back to fans by offering them the chance to win match tickets to the tournament's biggest games," said Charles Butler, Chief Executive Officer, ExpressVPN.