LAFC makes Ontario International its Official Airport

Ontario International Airport (ONT) is now the Official Airport of Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) through an innovative partnership with the Major League Soccer team that includes community events, LAFC visibility throughout the two terminals and ONT branding at all home games.

The partnership is the latest example of creating fully immersed branding experiences to connect prominent community institutions with the millions of travelers who use the popular Southern California gateway. For LAFC and its strong fan base, ONT provides direct flights to and from 12 Major League Soccer cities, and in June will add a 13^th when Southwest Airlines launches nonstop service to Nashville.

“We are thrilled to support one of North America’s premier soccer teams and its loyal fans as the excitement around the world’s most popular sport continues to grow in Southern California and across the U.S. LAFC’s strong sense of community and its history of building creative, inclusive partnerships align with ONT’s mission of connecting people places and opportunities to build a better world,” said Atif Elkadi, chief executive officer for the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA),

“Traveling to support your Club is an essential part of soccer culture, so we are thrilled to have a partner in Ontario International Airport that will make it easy for our Black & Gold family and supporters to unite  across the country as well as right here in Southern California,” said Larry Freedman, LAFC Co-President &Chief Business Officer.  

The partnership taps into LAFC’s large – and growing – fan base in the Inland Empire and across ONT’s service area. The IE ranks as the 12^th largest metropolitan area in the United States, and is expected to add another 1 million residents in the next 25 years. Noteworthy, too, is that more than 10 million Southern Californians live or work close to Ontario than any other airport.

Plans include community events and watch parties at the airport featuring ticket giveaways and signed memorabilia, co-branded merchandise and ONT messaging at BMO Stadium during home games. A highlight of the program will be the LAFC ONT Wing program. An exclusive co-branded luggage tag will be given out where travelers can use it for special discounts at ONT. 

Since partnering with Fuse Advancement and bringing the advertising and partnership program in-house, ONT has built an impressive list of partners including Fox 11 Good Day LA, UCR Health, San Bernardino County, Brewery X, and Sammy Haggar, just to name a few.