Coca-Cola is celebrating Ugandans’ deep passion for football, particularly the English Premier League, by bringing the excitement of the world’s most-watched football league closer to fans across the country.
The partnership between Coca-Cola and the Premier League promises to give Ugandan football lovers an opportunity to experience the game beyond their screens, with fan engagements, entertainment, prizes and watch parties.
The timing could not have been better. With the return of the Premier League on Friday, August 21, Coca-Cola hosted its first-ever Premier League Watch Party at Millennium Grounds in Lugogo, Kampala.
Football fans supporting different clubs flocked to the venue to celebrate the return of the league after a three-month break, creating an electric atmosphere as they watched the opening fixtures together.
Among those at the event was Barry Ottieno, Coca-Cola’s Senior Marketing Manager for the East and Central Africa Franchise.
A passionate Manchester United supporter from Kenya, Ottieno is well aware of the club’s enormous following in Uganda and the wider region.
He was quick to acknowledge the passion Ugandans have for their Premier League teams.
“This is special for us because, for the first time, Coca-Cola has partnered with the Premier League to bring the football experience closer to all football fans in Uganda,” Ottieno told the media.
“We know for a fact that Ugandans love football. Because of that love for football, Coca-Cola has identified it as a passion point that we can tap into.”
He added that the partnership brings together two things consumers are passionate about: Coca-Cola and football.
“For the love consumers have for the brand and football, we have a great partnership in the form of Coca-Cola and the Premier League.”
The Coca-Cola experience goes beyond bringing fans together to watch their favourite teams.
Fans also have an opportunity to win exciting prizes throughout the campaign, with Coca-Cola inviting football lovers to showcase how they enjoy the beautiful game alongside their favourite Coca-Cola products.
“This is just the start of the great experience that Coca-Cola is bringing to every football fan in Uganda,” Ottieno said.
“Through this experience, we shall also be giving our fans an opportunity to earn some prizes.”
As part of the campaign, Coca-Cola has launched a content creation challenge aimed at football fans and content creators.
Fans can participate by purchasing a Coca-Cola product, including Coca-Cola, Fanta or Sprite, scanning the QR code on the pack and signing up for the challenge.
Participants are then encouraged to create and share engaging social media content showing how they enjoy football and meals with Coca-Cola.
The campaign comes with a monthly prize of UGX 1 million for the best content creator, giving fans even more reason to get creative and share their Premier League experiences.
The opening watch party was capped by an impressive performance from Premier League champions Arsenal, who began their title defence on a high with a comfortable 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium.
Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard were all on the scoresheet as Arsenal secured a convincing opening-day win.
Arsenal undoubtedly has the biggest fans base in Uganda and Millennium Grounds was buzzing with excitement.
Football fans will once again converge at Millennium Grounds, Lugogo, this Saturday for another afternoon of Premier League action, as Manchester United travel to face newly promoted Hull City.
The occasion will once again combine football, entertainment and the Coca-Cola experience, with some of Uganda’s biggest musical acts returning to the stage.
Fik Fameica, Ykee Benda and Karole Kasita, who thrilled the crowd during Friday’s launch event, will once again entertain fans as Coca-Cola continues to bring the Premier League experience closer to Ugandan football lovers.
For Uganda’s passionate football community, it promises to be another exciting weekend of football, music, fan experiences and, of course, Coca-Cola.
