The Launch of Barclays 'Around the World in 90 Minutes' contest

Online, February 10, 2010 (Newswire.com) - SEARCH IS ON TO FIND THE WORLD'S ULTIMATE BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE MATCH-DAY EXPERIENCE

· Win a chance to watch your team play live in the UK

Mumbai, February 8, 2010: Barclays, title sponsor of the Barclays Premier League, today (February 8) launches a global competition to find the greatest match-day experience in the world. From the pubs of Pretoria to the beaches of Goa, fans have created their own spiritual homes outside of the Barclays Premier League stadiums to support their beloved teams, and Barclays want to hear all about them.

13.5 million fans attend Barclays Premier League matches live in the UK every season, and globally the League reaches an estimated 500 million homes in 211 countries, with fans going to extraordinary lengths to follow their favourite team. Barclays 'Around the World in 90 Minutes' is looking for the ultimate fan's experience of English top flight football.

The winner will be selected by the competition judging panel led by former Chelsea and France legend, Marcel Desailly, and one of the most recognised voices of the game, global football commentator Martyn Tyler. The fan who enters the best Barclays Premier League match-day experience will win a trip for two to see their favourite Barclays Premier League team play live in the UK along with a team shirt of their choice.

Speaking from his home in Accra, Ghana, Marcel Desailly said: "We are going to be looking at every corner of the planet to find the ultimate Barclays Premier League experience. It amazes me when I see twenty people huddled around a radio in a street in Accra or when I hear cheers coming from apartment blocks - this is the only league in the world that encourages such passion."

Venues, locations, viewing rituals and superstitions are all relevant, and experiences can be individual, or as part of a group of fans. More information and nomination details can be found at www.barclaysfootball.com.

Liverpool legend, Ian Rush, said: "I have spent a lot of time in South East Asia where the Barclays Premier League is as popular there as it is in the UK. Despite the time difference fans come to the local sports bars in their replica kit, singing their favourite teams songs and really getting behind the team. The dedication and passion of these fans is exactly what we want to hear about."

Fellow judge, Vinit Chandra, CEO of Emerging Markets, Barclays Global Retail Banking said: "The Barclays Premier League has captured the imagination of football fans all over the world. It is watched in over 200 countries and territories, and we know that week in and week out fans everywhere enjoy watching and listening to the Barclays Premier League, and have set up their own match day rituals and experiences that are unique to them. This competition offers fans the chance to tell us why they feel their experience is the best in the world."

Entries can be submitted by visiting the competition website www.barclaysfootball.com. Fans are required to explain in no more than 100 words why they feel their match-day experience is the best in the world. Fans are also encouraged to support their entries by uploading videos and photos. The competition will run from 8th February 2010 through to 22nd March 2010 with the winner of Barclays Around the World in 90 Minutes' announced in April 2010.

Fans can log on to the official website www.barclaysfootball.com for more information on how to enter.

For further information please contact:

Rebecca Hargreaves: Tel: +44 (0)207 908 6442

James Knott: Tel: +44 (0)207 908 6459

Adfactors PR:

Jitendra S Jha: +91 9920829216; jitendra.jha@adfactorspr.com

Arnold Wilson: +91 9769369420; arnold.wilson@adfactorspr.com

Notes to Editors

All entrants in the 'Barclays Around the World in 90 Minutes' competition have the opportunity to win:

· A trip for two to watch their favourite Barclays Premier League team play live in the UK during the 2010/11 season. The prize includes: travel, 4 star hotel accommodation, tickets and transfers and a team shirt of their choice

· £500 in spending money

· 25 runners-up will also receive a Barclays Premier League team shirt of their choice.

Barclays Premier League

380 Barclays Premier League games are broadcast around the world each season, reaching more than 500 million homes in over 200 counties. Additionally, 13.5 million fans attended Barclays Premier League matches in the 2008/2009 season.

About Barclays

Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and corporate banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 145,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for over 49 million customers and clients worldwide. For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com.