Zip Partners with Philadelphia 76ers to Bring Flexible Payments to NBA Fans

Zip Co Limited has secured a partnership with the Philadelphia 76ers for the 2026–27 NBA season, integrating buy now, pay later (BNPL) services into the professional sports ecosystem. For fintech professionals, this move signals a deepening intersection between alternative credit and high-volume fan commerce, providing a blueprint for merchant acquisition in the entertainment sector.

What was announced

Zip is officially becoming a partner of the Philadelphia 76ers, with the collaboration set to launch in time for the 2026–27 NBA season. The partnership focuses on fan engagement through the introduction of flexible payment solutions directly into the game-day environment. Throughout the upcoming season, Zip will roll out a series of exclusive offers designed to lower the barrier to entry for fans. These include specific ticket promotions and savings on official team merchandise, available both through the online portal at SixersShop.com and at physical retail locations within the arena.

Beyond the point of sale, the brand will maintain a high-profile presence during the regular season via courtside LED signage and in-arena videoboard features. This integration ensures that the option for point-of-sale credit is visible to fans during key moments of the game. The financial structure of these transactions is supported by WebBank, which originates the loans through Zip’s platform. This collaboration allows eligible customers to manage their spending on everything from everyday team apparel to premium, once-in-a-season experiences, aligning with Zip's strategy of providing transparent payment options in the sports and entertainment verticals. The partnership represents a significant step in Zip’s growing presence in the sports sector, where flexible payments help customers access the experiences they value most.

"Sports bring people together, and every fan deserves the opportunity to experience those moments," said Peter Volynsky, Chief Commercial Officer at Zip US. “We're excited to bring more flexibility and control to how people engage with the game, promoting flexible payment options within the gameday environment."

Peter Volynsky, Chief Commercial Officer at Zip US.

The companies involved

Zip Co Limited (ASX: ZIP) is a digital financial services provider founded in Australia in 2013. The company has established itself as a significant player in the global BNPL market, focusing on two core regions: Australia and the United States. Zip connects millions of customers with a network of tens of thousands of merchants, offering point-of-sale credit and digital payment services. The Philadelphia 76ers are a cornerstone franchise of the National Basketball Association (NBA), boasting a history that includes three World Championships and 55 playoff appearances over 77 seasons. The organization is a property of Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), a major player in the sports and entertainment industry. By aligning with a franchise of this stature, Zip positions itself within a high-traffic environment characterized by loyal consumer bases and consistent seasonal spending. The 76ers' legacy, including nine trips to the NBA Finals, provides a high-visibility platform for Zip to demonstrate its credit products to a diverse demographic of sports fans and retail consumers.

What FF News has reported before

FF News has previously tracked the 76ers' appetite for fintech collaborations, recently reporting on how Best Egg Scores Partnership with Philadelphia 76ers to Drive Financial Confidence in October 2026. This latest deal with Zip follows a pattern of the franchise integrating financial services into its fan experience. Zip itself has been active in the sports retail space earlier this year; we noted that Zip US and Rally House Partner to Launch BNPL for Sports Fans Nationwide in June 2026. These moves highlight Zip's focused effort to capture the sports enthusiast market by embedding credit options at the point of purchase for licensed merchandise and live event access.

What this means

This partnership underscores a significant shift in how professional sports franchises view their role in the financial lives of their fans. By embedding BNPL directly into the arena and online shop, the 76ers are acknowledging that the rising cost of live sports attendance requires more sophisticated financing tools than traditional credit cards. For the BNPL sector, this move puts pressure on traditional lenders who have historically dominated the "passion spend" category. The industry must now consider whether these high-visibility sports partnerships will become the primary battleground for customer acquisition as the market for everyday retail credit reaches saturation.