CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Charleston Battery and Explore Charleston are excited to announce a partnership for the remainder of the 2021 season. The partnership is highlighted by Explore Charleston becoming the official away jersey sponsor for the remainder of 2021. Both organizations will collaborate to promote the greater Charleston area to key markets as an overnight destination for fall travel and beyond.
“Supporting this city and the community built around it, is at the forefront of everything we’ve strived towards these past two years,” said club executive chairman Rob Salvatore. “We’re proud to have a partner in Explore Charleston that’s committed to the long-term development of the region. Soccer is such a community-driven endeavor, so we’re excited to use our sport as a platform that invites visitors from other markets to come and experience everything Charleston has to offer.
“Having Explore Charleston prominently displayed on our jerseys during the remaining road trips this season is just the start,” he added. “We’re excited to keep working together for years to come to promote this unique and special region.”
As the club’s remaining away matches are all played in cities with non-stop flight service to Charleston, the Explore Charleston logo will be featured as the ‘front-of-kit’ sponsor on the Battery’s jerseys. The new jerseys debuted Saturday, September 25 as the Battery visited division-rival Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC in an exciting match ending in a 3-3 draw.
“Not only are the Battery Charleston’s pro soccer team,” said Helen T. Hill, CEO of Explore Charleston. “They are ambassadors for Charleston in every market they travel to each season. We look forward to the players representing Charleston in their remaining away matches this season with our destination’s logo on the jerseys.
“We’re excited as this partnership will further show future visitors that Charleston is open for business. We encourage all soccer fans to hop on a flight to come see their favorite team play against the Battery at Patriots Point, and to extend their trip enjoying all that Charleston has to offer during their visit,” Hill added.
Through the partnership with the Battery, Explore Charleston’s exposure to prospective visitors will not be limited to fans in-stadium during the team’s remaining away matches. The Battery’s road games will also be viewed by thousands more via match broadcasts on the ESPN+ streaming platform, and in some cases, on local linear broadcast.
“Our league, the USL Championship, has experienced exponential growth in viewership on the ESPN+ platform,” added Battery Chief Revenue Officer Scott Krenitski. “It has really increased the exposure of the Charleston Battery to new markets, and we now have viewers watching our matches across the country. We’re excited to work with Explore Charleston to have those viewers come visit the city in person!”
After visiting Pittsburgh on September 25, the Battery’s away matches featuring the new jerseys include visits to Tampa Bay on October 7, Charlotte on October 13, and Hartford on October 26 – all current markets with non-stop flight service to Charleston.
ABOUT CHARLESTON BATTERY
The Charleston Battery are the oldest continuously run professional soccer club in the United States. Founded in 1993, the Battery are no stranger to success with 4 league championships and regular appearances in the postseason. After extensive renovations in 2020, the Battery began play at their new home at Patriots Point in Mt Pleasant, S.C.
ABOUT EXPLORE CHARLESTON
As the region’s destination management and marketing organization, Explore Charleston represents ten municipalities across three counties. It seeks to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area, create overnight visitation, and support responsible development through travel and tourism strategies.
