Al Ahly Sporting Club members in Egypt are being told to pay 225 Egyptian pounds after their prepaid card, tied to a four-year deal with Abu Dhabi First Bank Egypt, was canceled. The fee has left many members frustrated.
Abu Dhabi First Bank Egypt told Al Ahly Sporting Club members their co-branded prepaid cards would be canceled. The bank also told them to pay 225 Egyptian pounds by 30 September 2026. For many, the end of the four-year partnership between the bank and Egypt's top sports club was expected. The new fee was not. Abu Dhabi First Bank Egypt is still licensed and active, according to the official registry of Egyptian banks. This shows the bank is still under Egypt's banking rules, which cover sponsorships and card products like these.
The canceled card was a joint product from Abu Dhabi First Bank Egypt and Al Ahly. It launched in October 2022 as part of the sponsorship. The bank became the club's official banking sponsor. It opened a branch inside Al Ahly's Fifth Settlement headquarters and offered special financial products for members and fans. Even now, the bank still promotes digital and card services for Al Ahly clients, like card blocking and reissuing. This means the bank's main services are still running, but the co-branded card is being shut down.
End of a four-year sponsorship
The sponsorship, set up with United Sports Marketing Company, was meant to boost Al Ahly's finances and help its teams and facilities. It also brought special banking offers to the club's community. The "Ahlaweya Mastercard" gave discounts, installment plans, and cashback tied to match results. The four-year deal matches other big commercial agreements in Egyptian football, like Al Ahly's separate four-year sponsorship with Presentation Sports. Multi-year deals like these are now common in the sector.
Now that the sponsorship has ended, Abu Dhabi First Bank Egypt is closing all services linked to the deal. The biggest change is the canceled prepaid card. Cardholders now have to pay the 225 Egyptian pounds by the deadline. The bank said this is part of ending all financial products tied to the partnership. But there is little independent confirmation of the exact fee and deadline. Neither the Central Bank of Egypt nor the club has published official statements so far.
What cardholders face now
For members, the cancellation means losing a card with club perks and facing an unexpected bill. The 225 Egyptian pounds must be paid by 30 September 2026. Cardholders have until then to settle up. The bank did not say if there will be extra fees or penalties after the deadline. Still, the payment demand has already upset some members who used the card's benefits. This comes as Egypt's currency has lost value. The Egyptian pound has dropped sharply in recent years. The Central Bank of Egypt has raised policy rates to fight inflation and support the currency. The International Monetary Fund says Egypt's annual inflation topped 30% in 2023. Even small fees now hit household budgets harder.
During the partnership, Abu Dhabi First Bank Egypt ran a full branch inside Al Ahly's club. Members and visitors could use its services. The co-branded card was marketed as a way to connect the bank and the club's community, with discounts, installment plans, and cashback linked to Al Ahly's sports results. Now, those perks are gone and the systems behind them are being taken down. These sponsorships are big business. Al Ahly's football company recently signed commercial deals worth 4-5 billion Egyptian pounds for 2026-2030. When banking partnerships end, the financial impact can be large.
Key dates and payment details
The sponsorship between Abu Dhabi First Bank Egypt and Al Ahly Sporting Club started in October 2022 and lasted four years. The bank told cardholders to pay the 225 Egyptian pounds by 30 September 2026. After that, the card will stop working and all obligations will end. Setting a final payment date is standard in banking, as explained in rules from the Central Bank of Egypt, which oversees consumer protection and how banks close out products.
The 225 Egyptian pounds is not a penalty. It is the amount still owed on the prepaid card. The bank did not mention changes to other products or services not tied to the Al Ahly deal. The Central Bank of Egypt, like the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, watches over these consumer banking practices to make sure transitions are clear and follow national rules.
How co-branded card deals work
Co-branded cards are common in banking and retail. They give special perks to club members, associations, or fans. These deals usually last for a set time and are managed by sponsorship or marketing agreements. When the deal ends, the cards and perks are withdrawn. Cardholders may have to pay off any remaining balances or fees. The Al Ahly-Abu Dhabi First Bank Egypt case shows how ending a sponsorship can bring direct costs for consumers, especially when payment deadlines are set as part of closing the deal. In other countries, central banks like the Bank of England and the Federal Reserve also keep an eye on how these changes affect consumers, especially during times of high inflation or currency swings.
