The lucky winners of three ‘one-of-a-kind’ shirts - two autographed by Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola and one by award-winning player Cole Palmer
English Premier League football club Chelsea Football Club, in collaboration with Ascott, a leading hospitality firm in Singapore, brought the football team, also known as ‘the Blues’ to Singapore hosting the club’s first edition of ‘The Famous CFC’ in South East Asia.
According to a press statement by Ascott, held over the weekend, the Singapore edition of ‘The Famous CFC’ brought together hundreds of passionate Chelsea fans to celebrate the club’s legacy and passion.
It adds that anchored at Lyft Funan Singapore, with additional activities at the Robertson House and Ascott Orchard, the two-day festivities featured football coaching clinics, a watch party for Chelsea’s match against Aston Villa, and exclusive meet-and-greet opportunities with Chelsea legend and famous Italian striker Gianfranco Zola.
The statement adds that as Chelsea’s’Official Global Hotels Partner’ and the presenting partner of ‘The Famous CFC’ in Singapore, Ascott played a key role in bringing the event to life, showcasing its continued commitment to delivering exceptional experiences for Chelsea’s fans and Ascott Star Rewards members.
Gianfranco Zola
“What a privilege it has been to be a part of ‘The Famous CFC’ in Singapore! I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Robertson House by the Crest Collection, as well as my visits to Lyf Funan Singapore and Ascott Orchard Singapore. It was a pleasure to meet so many of Chelsea’s passionate fans here. The enthusiasm and energy from them all has been amazing, and it is truly special to connect with so many supporters face-to-face. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to share unforgettable moments with them,” says Zola.
“The weekend was capped off with a dominant performance from Chelsea against Aston Villa. I recently spent time with Cole Palmer and saw first-hand what an unbelievable talent he is. His goal and performance against Aston Villa was top quality and there is no doubt in my mind he has the tools to be one of the best players in the world in the near future. What a signing he has proven to be for Chelsea!,” Zola adds.
Casper Stylsvig
“The Singapore edition of ‘The Famous CFC’ was a tremendous success, and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to reconnect with our passionate fanbase in South East Asia, thanks to our friends at Ascott. It was truly inspiring to see the unwavering dedication of our supporters. We are very proud of our partnership with Ascott, and the experience we have delivered for both our fans and Ascott Star Rewards members,” says Casper Stylsvig, Chief Revenue Officer, Chelsea.
Tan Bee Leng
“As Chelsea’s Official Global Hotels Partner, Ascott is proud to continue providing the club’s supporters and Ascott Star Rewards members with exclusive and immersive experiences that go beyond just the stay. From football clinics conducted by Chelsea coaches and an intimate fireside chat with club legend Gianfranco Zola, to curated pre-match F&B hospitality and watching the Blues in action alongside Zola himself; every detail throughout ‘The Famous CFC’ in Singapore reflects Ascott’s dedication to seamlessly blend hospitality, entertainment and sports to deliver an unforgettable event, reinforcing our commitment to ensure guests ‘Stay Rewarded’ with exceptional experiences. Building on this momentum, Ascott is excited to already be working on bringing ‘The Famous CFC’ to other cities in 2025, further strengthening our connection with Chelsea’s global fanbase. We look forward to creating more extraordinary experiences for fans and Ascott Star Rewards members worldwide, to live their unlimited passion for the club they love,” says Tan Bee Leng, Chief Commercial Officer, Ascott.
“Ascott is also looking forward to the rebranding of the two stadium hotels, currently operating as Stamford Bridge Hotel London to Lyf by the second half of 2025. The brand, with its experience-led, social living concept, aligns perfectly with the spirit of Chelsea and the dynamic energy of Stamford Bridge. Offering more than just a place to stay, Lyf will deliver an immersive experience that reflects Chelsea’s strong sense of community, passion and excellence. Whether guests are visiting for a match or immersing themselves in the club’s legendary legacy, we are confident this new lyf property will provide a truly remarkable experience,” she adds.
Chelsea Football Club legend Gianfranco Zola enjoying a friendly game with young beneficiaries from the Singapore
The statement adds that the Singapore edition of ‘The Famous CFC’ kicked off on November 30, with a series of football coaching clinics at the Ark futsal court in Funan, led by coaches from Chelsea FC. Reflecting ‘The Famous CFC’ commitment to supporting local communities, the clinics hosted participants from SportCares, the philanthropic arm of Sport Singapore, and the Singapore Disability Sports Council. Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola made a special appearance, engaging with the beneficiaries and sharing inspiring words with the young players.
Later in the day, Zola visited Ascott Orchard Singapore to film exclusive content for fans. He then hosted an intimate meet-and-greet with Ascott Star Rewards members at the Robertson House by The Crest Collection, where fans had the chance to interact with him and take photos with the 2016/17 Premier League trophy. Zola also stopped by Chandu, the hotel’s speakeasy cocktail bar, where he tried his hand at crafting the ‘Magic Box Dribble’, a cocktail specially created in his honour.
The activities continued on December 1, with more football coaching clinics. This was followed by a fireside chat at Lyf Funan Singapore, where Zola shared personal stories, reflected on memorable moments from his football career and answered questions from attendees. In the evening, Zola joined Ascott Star Rewards members for a lively dinner party at Lyf Funan Singapore. The event featured an immersive experiential zone for photo opportunities and a merchandise booth inspired by the iconic dressing room at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea Football Club legend Gianfranco Zola signing a shirt for Chelsea fan Khidir Su’aini at lyf Funan Singapore on Sunday, December 1
Three ‘one-of-a-kind’ shirts, two autographed by Zola and one by Chelsea award-winning player Cole Palmer respectively, were put up for a live charity auction during the dinner party. In line with Ascott’s and Chelsea’s efforts to promote disability inclusion, auction proceeds were donated to the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund (GCTEF), which supports persons with disabilities through providing financial aid, supporting aspirations and conferring awards to recognise the achievements and potential of persons with disabilities. GCTEF is administered by SG Enable and supported by Mediacorp, with Singapore’s Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong as its Patron.
Chelsea fans gathered at the atrium of Funan for the live screening of the football match between Chelsea and Aston Villa on Sunday
The excitement culminated with the Chelsea-Aston Villa watch party at Funan, where around 250 supporters gathered at the shopping mall’s atrium to watch the thrilling match live from Stamford Bridge, with Zola celebrating alongside them. The atmosphere was electric as fans cheered on their favourite team.