In a landmark move for both gaming and sport, UK‑based developer Kinetic Games has announced a multi‑year sponsorship deal with Southampton Football Club, strengthening ties between Southampton’s creative tech scene and its proud sporting heritage.
The partnership marks a major milestone for the Southampton studio best known for its horror‑themed co‑op sensation Phasmophobia, which surpassed 25 million copies sold worldwide in 2025.
Ghostly Branding at St. Mary’s Stadium
As part of the deal, Phasmophobia’s iconic ghost imagery will feature across St. Mary’s Stadium, including big screens and interview backdrops on matchdays, offering fans something genuinely different in the world of football sponsorship.
“It’s surreal to sponsor the club I’ve supported my whole life,” said Daniel Knight, CEO of Kinetic Games and Game Director for Phasmophobia. “It also shows how far we’ve come as a studio — something we couldn’t have dreamed of without our incredible community.”
Southampton’s Chief Revenue Officer Greg Baker added that the collaboration “reflects our shared vision to champion local talent and amplify Southampton’s creative and tech sectors on the global stage.”
Growing Community Commitment
Kinetic Games isn’t stopping at football. The studio has confirmed plans to expand its local community involvement, including internships for aspiring game developers and strategic partnerships with charities and grassroots organisations in 2026.
“We’re excited not just for the next phase of Phasmophobia, but also for our new Kinetic Publishing arm — supporting up‑and‑coming developers with the resources they need to succeed,” said Asim Tanvir, Director of Marketing & Partnerships at Kinetic Games.
This follows last month’s official launch of Kinetic Publishing, a dedicated label designed to provide financial, creative and marketing support to independent game creators.
What’s Next for Phasmophobia
2026 is shaping up to be one of the biggest years yet for the horror hit. In addition to the sponsorship news, Kinetic Games has confirmed plans for a full Phasmophobia 1.0 release and the game’s highly anticipated launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 later this year.
Since its initial early access release in September 2020, Phasmophobia has become a global hit — captivating players with its immersive ghost‑hunting mechanics and team‑based gameplay.
Why This Matters
This partnership is a notable example of the growing convergence between the games industry and traditional sports marketing. For Southampton FC — a club with deep local roots and a passionate fan base — linking with a creative tech success story like Kinetic Games demonstrates a forward‑looking approach to fan engagement both on and off the pitch.
