Midnite, the UK sports betting and online casino operator and Official Training Kit partner of Southampton FC, has established a “Tifo Committee” of Saints fans ahead of this weekend’s South Coast derby against Portsmouth.
The initiative, described as the first of its kind in the league, will see selected supporters collaborate with the operator to design and deliver tifos for key matches throughout the season. Members include Mike Smale of MatchDayVlogs, Alex Graham of TotalSaintsPodcast, and Louise Burke and Yasmin Wiseman from the Southampton Fan Advisory Board.
Midnite previously supported the unveiling of a tifo on the opening day of the season against Wrexham, and the new banner designed by the Tifo Committee will be revealed at St Mary’s ahead of the derby fixture with Portsmouth.
The move highlights a growing trend of iGaming operators involving fans directly in matchday activations as part of wider club sponsorship strategies.
Andrew Mook, Head of Brand Marketing at Midnite, said: “Tifos are a huge part of modern fan football culture, and we wanted to bring this to St Mary’s consistently throughout the season.
“To mark the opening day of the new season, we unveiled a tifo which paid homage to seven Saints legends and it was very well received by Saints fans. But we wanted to go bigger as the season progressed, while also leaning on the people who make the football club what it is – the fans.
“We have been collaborating with our Tifo Committee to hear what sort of designs will really captivate the fanbase, and we’re very excited to unveil our brand new tifo ahead of the Southampton vs Portsmouth fixture on Sunday.
“This is an iconic fixture in English football, and we wanted to bring the history of the fixture to life. We’re confident that the Saints fans will like what our Tifo Committee has come up with.
“We’re loving the start of our partnership with Southampton, and are dedicated to using our platform to bring fans closer to the action this season, with meaningful and impactful campaigns.”
Mike Smale, Founder of MatchDayVlogs, and member of the Midnite Tifo Committee, said: “Being part of the Midnite Tifo committee has been a privilege. To represent the fanbase and reflect the passion of our supporters is no small task. Time and again, Saints fans have shown they’re among the very best in the country – turning up, singing loud, and backing the team no matter the circumstances.
“We want these displays to be a reflection of the unity and pride that runs through this fanbase. The atmosphere at St Mary’s during these big games proves that when our supporters come together, we create something unforgettable – both on the pitch and in the stands.”
