Ant International Supports 2026 New York Liberty Season and Sustainability

Alipay+ to sponsor WNBA team's upcoming season and environmental initiatives.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:10am by Ben Kaplan

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A photorealistic studio still life of a modern smartphone in a bold color resting on a clean, monochromatic background, the phone's screen displaying the Alipay+ logo, symbolizing the digital payments integration.A strategic partnership between a leading fintech company and a prominent women's sports franchise aims to enhance the fan experience and promote sustainability.San Francisco Today

Ant International, the global digital payments and financial services company, has announced a partnership with the New York Liberty of the WNBA to sponsor the team's 2026 season and support their sustainability efforts. The deal will see Alipay+, Ant's digital wallet platform, become the official digital wallet and payments partner of the Liberty.

Why it matters

This partnership aligns with Ant's global strategy to expand its digital payments ecosystem and promote financial inclusion, while also supporting a prominent women's professional sports franchise and its environmental initiatives. The WNBA has been at the forefront of sports leagues addressing sustainability, making the Liberty a fitting partner for Ant's corporate social responsibility efforts.

The details

As part of the multi-year agreement, Alipay+ will be integrated into the Liberty's mobile app and in-arena experience, allowing fans to easily make purchases and engage with the team digitally. Ant will also work with the Liberty to develop sustainability programs, such as recycling and waste reduction initiatives within the team's home arena.

  • The partnership was announced on April 8, 2026.
  • Alipay+ will sponsor the New York Liberty's 2026 WNBA season.

The players

Ant International

A global digital payments and financial services company that operates Alipay+, a digital wallet platform.

New York Liberty

A professional women's basketball team that plays in the WNBA.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to partner with the New York Liberty and support their efforts to engage fans and promote sustainability. This aligns with our mission to empower digital inclusion and create a more environmentally responsible future.”

— Simon Hu, CEO, Ant International

“Partnering with a global fintech leader like Ant International is a tremendous opportunity for the Liberty to enhance our fan experience and advance our sustainability initiatives.”

— Keia Clarke, CEO, New York Liberty

What’s next

The partnership will officially kick off with the start of the New York Liberty's 2026 WNBA season.

The takeaway

This deal showcases how leading technology companies are increasingly aligning with professional sports franchises to drive digital innovation, fan engagement, and corporate social responsibility efforts.