More than 200 Chelsea supporters and Ascott Star Rewards members gathered in Kuala Lumpur on 30 and 31 October for the fifth edition of The Famous CFC, the football club’s international fan engagement programme organised in partnership with its Official Hotels Partner, The Ascott Limited.

The two-day event brought former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to the Malaysian capital for a series of activities across Ascott Kuala Lumpur and Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur. The programme included a media session, an exclusive meet-and-greet with loyalty programme members and a live screening of Chelsea’s Premier League match against Manchester United.

The match, played at Stamford Bridge, ended with a 2-0 victory for Chelsea, giving supporters gathered in Kuala Lumpur another reason to celebrate.

A reunion with Chelsea’s Malaysian supporters

Hasselbaink’s visit also brought back memories of his previous time in the city. The former Chelsea number nine revisited landmarks in Kuala Lumpur, recalling his involvement in the club’s 2003 Premier League Asia Cup campaign, which brought the team to Malaysia.

The programme began at Ascott Star KLCC Kuala Lumpur, where Hasselbaink marked the occasion by adding his own artistic touches to a commemorative canvas bearing the logos of Chelsea and Ascott. He later joined members of the media for a fireside conversation at Ascott Kuala Lumpur.

The following day, Ascott Star Rewards members had the opportunity to meet the former striker during a private session featuring a question-and-answer segment and photo opportunities.

The weekend concluded with a watch party attended by more than 180 members and supporters, bringing together local fans and visitors from around the region. Among them was Vietnamese Chelsea supporter and Ascott Star Rewards member Phạm Hoàng, who travelled from Vietnam for the event. Having previously attended The Famous CFC in Hanoi, the Kuala Lumpur edition marked his second experience with the programme.

Football, travel and shared experiences

For Ascott, the event forms part of its wider partnership with Chelsea, which aims to extend its hospitality offering beyond accommodation through access to sporting experiences and club-related activities.

The partnership also has a presence in London, where lyf Chelsea London, a 232-room property at Stamford Bridge, has recently soft-opened. The property offers Ascott guests and members an opportunity to stay close to the football club’s home ground while experiencing the lyf brand’s social-living concept.

Now in its fifth edition, The Famous CFC continues to bring Chelsea’s international following together through events that combine football, travel and opportunities to connect with the club beyond matchday.