Singapore, January 31, 2017 – Imagine yourself in a front-row seat at one of the most coveted experiences for football fans – the heart-stopping finals of the 2017 UEFA Champions League in Cardiff. AccorHotels Asia Pacific and Mastercard have joined together to make this unforgettable experience a reality for four fans with 'The Ultimate Rivals' campaign.

Exclusive to Asia Pacific, the campaign, driven across social media platforms, leverages the popularity and reach of the UEFA Champions League to members of the Le Club AccorHotels loyalty program and Mastercard cardholders. Participants are invited to create a team of two to four players to enter 'The Ultimate Rivals' league and compete against other teams to win points. They can earn extra points by booking and staying in more than 750 AccorHotels properties across Asia Pacific when paying with Mastercard, or by playing Striker's Instinct, an exciting online game and answering trivia questions.

The team with the highest points will walk away with four coveted tickets to the UEFA Champions League finals on 11 May 2017, as well as four flights to Cardiff, Wales and a three-night's stay in an AccorHotels property. There are also weekly prizes to be won, giving more participants a chance to share in this amazing football experience.

“Developing relationships with strategic partners not only extends the reach of our brands, it is also a key marketing lever for us, especially when we can provide value-added and creative propositions for our guests and members,” said Michael Parsons, Vice President Marketing and Strategic Relationships, AccorHotels Asia Pacific.

“The partnership with Mastercard has reaped tremendous win-win benefits for customers of both brands. Importantly, it has also provided us with access to priceless experiences, which we use to develop exciting campaigns for our guests. We are very excited to give our guests and Le Club members the opportunity to experience one of the world's most prestigious sporting events. We look forward to seeing the response of football fans across the region.”

Nagesh Devata, Senior Vice President, Merchant Development and Acceptance Expansion, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, said, “Football is one of the most popular sports across Asia Pacific, and amongst our cardholders. The partnership with AccorHotels enables us to create priceless experiences and connect our cardholders to their greatest passions, while providing them with safe, secure and convenient payment solutions. With its large presence across the region, our partnership with AccorHotels is another step forward in driving top-of-wallet preference with our cardholders, both at home and when they travel.”

The campaign will begin on 8 February 2017 on www.theultimaterivals.com and will be available across 10 countries - Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand - as well as across Facebook and WeChat.

The site is desktop and mobile-friendly, and available in English, Mandarin, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Bahasa Indonesia.

ENDS

About AccorHotels
AccorHotels is a world-leading travel & lifestyle group and digital innovator offering unique experiences in more than 4,000 hotels, resorts and residences, as well as in over 2,600 of the finest private homes around the globe. Benefiting from dual expertise as an investor and operator through its HotelServices and HotelInvest divisions, AccorHotels operates in 95 countries. Its portfolio comprises internationally acclaimed luxury brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel Legend,  SO Sofitel, Sofitel, onefinestay, MGallery by Sofitel, Pullman, and Swissôtel; as well as the popular midscale and boutique brands of Novotel, Mercure, Mama Shelter and Adagio; the in-demand economy brands including ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and the regional brands Grand Mercure, The Sebel and hotelF1.  With an unmatched collection of brands and rich history spanning close to five decades, AccorHotels, along with its global team of more than 240,000 dedicated women and men, has a purposeful and heartfelt mission: to make every guest Feel Welcome. Guests enjoy access to one of the world's most rewarding hotel loyalty programs - Le Club AccorHotels.  AccorHotels is active in its local communities and committed to sustainable development and solidarity through PLANET 21, a comprehensive program that brings together employees, guests and partners to drive sustainable growth. For more information and reservations visit accorhotels.group or accorhotels.com.  Or become a fan and follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 

About Mastercard

Mastercard (NYSE: MA), www.Mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry.  We operate the world's fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories.  Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone.  Follow us on Twitter @MastercardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.