MIAMI, Fla.–With the college football season set to officially kick off this weekend (since that silly “Week 0” doesn’t count), and the NFL season just a week away, credit unions across the country have announced a number of new promotional and sponsorship tie-ins, on the field and off.
Below a just a few of the most recent announcements. Note: This list does not include promotions and relationships credit unions have previously announced or already have in place.
Canvas CU in 5-Year Naming Rights Deal for University’s new Football Complex
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Canvas Credit Union has signed a five-year naming-rights agreement with Colorado Mesa University that will put the credit union’s name on a new football complex being developed as part of an expansion of Stocker Stadium.
The facility will be known as the Canvas Credit Union Champions Center, Canvas Credit Union said. The agreement was announced during a groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium expansion.
San Diego County CU Returns as Sponsor of the Poinsettia Bowl
SAN DIEGO — San Diego County Credit Union is returning as title sponsor of the Poinsettia Bowl as the college football game returns to San Diego this December after a decade-long absence.
The 13th SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl is scheduled for Dec. 23 at 4:30 p.m. at Snapdragon Stadium and will be televised by The CW Network, according to San Diego County Credit Union.
Wings CU Partners With Denver Broncos Foundation on New Scholarship
DENVER, Colo. – Wings Credit Union is partnering with the Denver Broncos Foundation is partnering with Wings Credit Union for a new scholarship program aimed to help 16-24-year-olds pursuing secondary education.
According to officials, the Denver Broncos Scholars will award up to $75,000 annually to students in Colorado pursuing degrees, including two- and four-year programs, technical schools, trade programs, professional certificates and other career training.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Meritrust Credit Union has now signed the quarterbacks at the state’s two flagship universities to name, image, likeness (NIL) deals.
After earlier announcing it had entered into a promotional agreement with University of Colorado quarterback Julian “Ju Ju” Lewis, the credit union said it has entered into a deal with Hauss Hejny, who is fighting for the starting job at Colorado State.
Champion Credit Union Expands Partnership With WCU Athletics
CULLOWHEE, N.C. — Western Carolina University Athletics has expanded its partnership with Champion Credit Union through a five-year agreement that gives the credit union naming rights to a premium seating area at E.J. Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field.
The area formerly known as Catamount Corner has been renamed Champion Credit Union Corner. The agreement includes prominent in-stadium signage and Champion Credit Union branding on gameday tents in the premium seating area in the southeast corner of the stadium.
Visions FCU Becomes the Naming Sponsor of the ‘Cortaca Jug’
ITHACA, N.Y. — SUNY Cortland and Ithaca College have entered into a four-year partnership with Visions Federal Credit Union that will make the credit union the first naming sponsor in the history of the Cortaca Jug football rivalry.
The partnership begins with the 2026 season and runs through the 2029 game, according to SUNY Cortland. The annual NCAA Division III rivalry game will be known as the “Cortaca Jug presented by Visions Federal Credit Union.”
Athletic Complex Sponsored by Red River CU Getting a $35M Makeover
TEXARKANA, Texas–As it moves up to NCAA Division II, Texas A&M-Texarkana said it is investing nearly $35 million in an athletics complex designed to bring several Eagles teams on campus as part of the Red River Credit Union Athletic Complex.
The Eagles program currently sponsors 21 varsity sports and is developing an inaugural football program scheduled to launch in fall 2027. Two sports that have thrived in Texarkana are baseball and softball, and work is currently underway to give them a permanent on-campus home.
Dakotaland FCU Partners With South Dakota State; Tucson FCU Tackles Youth Team Sponsorship
BROOKINGS, S.D.–Credit unions in South Dakota and Arizona are expanding their support of athletics through new partnerships ranging from NCAA Division I sports to a youth football and cheer program serving nearly 400 families.
In South Dakota, the $751-million Dakotaland Federal Credit Union and South Dakota State University have entered into a multiyear partnership making Dakotaland the exclusive credit union of Jackrabbit Athletics.
Palmetto Citizens FCU Will Again Recognize Educators During Gamecock Football Games
COLUMBIA, S.C. —Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union said it is now accepting applications for its fourth annual Teacher of the Game program, which recognizes South Carolina K-12 educators during University of South Carolina Gamecock football home games throughout the 2026 season.
According to Palmetto Citizens, the program is presented in partnership with Gamecock Athletics and is designed to honor outstanding teachers from across the state while highlighting the credit union’s longstanding ties to education.
Sikorsky CU Acquires ‘First Entitlement’ to University’s Football, Lacrosse Stadiums
FAIRFIELD, Conn.–Sikorsky Credit Union said it has acquired the “first entitlement” for Sacred Heart University’s 7,500-seat, football and lacrosse stadium
In conjunction with the move, the credit union said it will open a new branch later this year in Fairfield.
The deal rechristening the stadium from Campus Field to Sikorsky Credit Union Field includes on-field, scoreboard and other on-site signage and branding, financial literacy initiatives and banking offerings for students, faculty and staff of the 10,000-plus student school, according to the organizations.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The University of Arkansas and CommunityAmerica Credit Union announced a long-term partnership that will rename Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium as CommunityAmerica Razorback Stadium beginning with the 2027 football season.
The agreement, announced by the University of Arkansas Department of Athletics and CommunityAmerica Credit Union, also designates CommunityAmerica as the official credit union of Arkansas Athletics and expands the credit union’s presence in Northwest Arkansas.
As NFL’s Rams Prepare to Hold Training Camp, CU on Hand as Official Sponsor
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams will hold their 2026 training camp at Loyola Marymount University for the third consecutive year, with CommunityAmerica Credit Union serving as presenting sponsor following its merger with UNIFY Financial Credit Union and expanded partnership with the NFL franchise.
According to CommunityAmerica Credit Union, which is also the Rams’ official credit union, the partnership includes sponsorship of the team’s training camp and annual Kickoff for Charity Luncheon, along with year-round member, community and marketing initiatives.
First and 10 Years to Go: MSUFCU Jersey Patch to Appear on Uniforms of 23 Michigan State Teams
EAST LANSING, Mich. –In a go big (10) or go home move, MSU Federal Credit Union has entered into a 10-year jersey patch sponsorship with Michigan State Athletics in which its logo will appear on all 23 Michigan State University men’s and women’s teams.
According to the organizations, it is the first-ever jersey partnership in the Big Ten Conference across all sports. In addition, MSUFCU branding will also be worn on Spartan practice attire.
Space Coast CU Supports the Miami Dolphins Girls Flag Football League
MELBOURNE, Fla. – Space Coast Credit Union (SCCU) has announced support of the Miami Dolphins Girls Flag Football League. The program held annually during the summer brings together approximately 380 high school athletes from across South Florida for programming focused on competition, skills training and athlete growth.
Credit Union 1 Extends, Expands Partnership With Mid-American Conference
CLEVELAND– The Mid-American Conference (MAC) and Lombard, Ill.-based Credit Union 1 (CU1) said they have extended their sponsorship agreement, with the credit union being elevated to become Presenting Partner of the MAC Football Championship Game in Detroit and the Official Banking Partner of MAC Football.
As part of the expanded agreement, MAC said CU1 will receive enhanced championship integration, highlighted by two on-field logos placed at the 25-yard lines at Ford Field – home of the Detroit Lions – “creating standout visibility during one of the conference’s most-watched events.”
Clearview FCU Extends Sponsorship Deal With Pitt Athletics
PITTSBURGH — Clearview Federal Credit Union has extended and expanded its sponsorship agreement with University of Pittsburgh Athletics, adding a co-branded debit card and increasing the credit union’s visibility across Pitt sports.
Pitt Athletics said the multiyear agreement continues Clearview’s designation as the Official Credit Union of the Pitt Panthers, a relationship that began in 2021.
The new Pitt-branded debit card became available Sept. 1 to new and existing Clearview members with eligible checking accounts. The card, featuring a blue Pitt logo against a gold background, can be requested online or at Clearview financial centers, according to Pitt Athletics.
Nothing Hokie About It: Virginia CU Expands Its Sponsorship of Virginia Tech Athletics
BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Credit Union is expanding its sponsorship of Virginia Tech Athletics with an agreement that will put the credit union’s logo on the field at Lane Stadium and tie Hokies first downs to donations to a children’s hospital, according to the Winston-Salem Journal.
Beginning with the 2026 football season, Virginia Credit Union’s logo will appear between the 20- and 30-yard lines at Lane Stadium, giving the credit union a prominent position during Virginia Tech home games and television broadcasts.
UMCU Partners With Wide Receiver; Creates ‘ATM3’ Custom Mobile Experience
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — University of Michigan Credit Union has signed a partnership with Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Andrew Marsh that will feature the sophomore football player in member events, community outreach and financial education programs during the 2026-27 season.
UMCU, the official credit union of Michigan Athletics, said the partnership grew out of an existing relationship with Marsh, who became a member of the credit union along with his family after arriving in Ann Arbor.
2 Responses
Meanwhile, Ocala Community Credit Union supports Marion District Schools to assist them in;
1) Providing High Schools with “MainStreet” Financial Educational Materials so Seniors can meet the graduation requirements for Financial Courses.
2) Providing Elementary school(s) over the years the tools they need to pull school grade up to “A” schools.
It’s more about real education and not just expensive advertising at Sporting Events.
I think what a lot of people in the industry fail to realize is that a lot of these sponsorship include more than just their logo on a jersey, stadium or field. They are very complex agreements that give a lot to the org a lot of times “real education” is included and not just “expensive sports advertising.”
The often times include FinEd for the students, athletes or the people working for the team (oh like workplace or partner banking). They partner with the orgs to do really amazing things in the community.
Are all deals a slam dunk? No, but you could say that about any marketing strategy. They can be a really great vehicle for a CU to not only market to their community but move things forward that supports their mission and values.
You can support a large team or a small team and have a similar goal or outcome. Just because it is a pro or college team and not youth or high school doesn’t mean it’s less effective.
The hate around credit union sponsorships is really misguided.