N-able has signed a partnership with Manchester City as the club’s official cybersecurity partner, embedding the US-listed security supplier in the group’s day-to-day technology operations.
The agreement covers security across Manchester City’s digital environment, including systems, data and operational technology used throughout its global IT footprint. It also includes N-able brand visibility across a range of digital and physical assets linked to the club’s men’s and women’s first teams.
Security stack
N-able will provide Managed Detection and Response, Cove Data Protection, and Endpoint Detection and Response. The tools focus on monitoring, threat detection and response, and data backup and recovery.
N-able will work with the club to integrate its products into existing infrastructure and said the partnership includes “AI-powered cybersecurity solutions”.
For Manchester City, cybersecurity has become a more prominent operational requirement as clubs expand digital services and rely more heavily on connected systems. Matchday operations, ticketing, retail, media production and internal collaboration all depend on technology platforms. The commercial value of player and performance data has also increased, alongside the volume of personal information handled through membership and fan engagement services.
Security teams in sport have also drawn more attention as ransomware and extortion groups target organisations with large consumer brands and limited tolerance for disruption. For high-profile teams, risks include operational downtime, data exposure and reputational damage.
Club comments
Manchester City said the partnership reflects its continued investment in technology and services.
“Manchester City is a leading global brand within sport and beyond and with that comes the requirement for us to continually invest in technology and services to protect our people, our data, and our operations,” said James Tennant, Director of Technology – Information Security, City Football Group.
Tennant said N-able’s portfolio was a factor in the selection.
“N-able offers advanced end-to-end solutions that will help us as we continue to evolve and future-proof operations and we look forward to working with them as part of this new agreement announced today,” he said.
Commercial push
The deal adds Manchester City to a growing list of major sports properties aligning with cybersecurity brands. For vendors, such partnerships offer visibility with consumers and corporate buyers who link security spending to resilience and business continuity. For clubs, they can bring dedicated security services and access to specialist support as demands on IT and security teams rise.
N-able is best known for security and IT management products sold through managed service providers, serving mid-sized businesses and larger organisations with outsourced IT functions. Its messaging has focused on resilience, monitoring and recovery. The Manchester City deal puts that message alongside a high-profile global sports brand.
“The best teams in the world don’t just perform, they protect what makes performance possible. Manchester City operates at elite speed, across global markets, with zero tolerance for disruption. That’s exactly the environment N-able was built for. This partnership is a statement about where cybersecurity is heading – toward partners who build the resilience that lets world-class organizations keep moving forward,” said Vikram Ramesh, Chief Marketing Officer, N-able.
The partnership sits within a broader technology ecosystem around the Etihad Campus, including the Etihad Stadium, the Joie Stadium and the City Football Academy training and development facilities. Manchester City has expanded digital operations across content, eCommerce and global fan engagement, increasing the need to maintain system availability and protect sensitive data.
N-able will integrate its technology with Manchester City’s existing infrastructure as the relationship progresses.