Cole Palmer Officially Trademarks ‘Cold Palmer’ Nickname After UK Government Approval

Cole Palmer has successfully trademarked his iconic ‘Cold Palmer’ nickname with the UK government’s Intellectual Property Office, securing exclusive commercial rights until 2034. The Chelsea and England star’s application, submitted in November 2024, was officially approved on October 7, 2025, after overcoming initial opposition from French winery Château Palmer. The 23-year-old can now legally prevent anyone from using ‘Cold Palmer’ for commercial purposes without permission and plans to launch branded products ranging from clothing and toys to drones, bath salts, and food snacks across multiple categories.

The Trademark Application and Approval Process

Cole Palmer’s legal team filed the trademark application with the UK Intellectual Property Office in November 2024, seeking protection for the ‘Cold Palmer’ moniker that had exploded in popularity following his exceptional performances for Chelsea and viral celebration.

Trademark Details

The approval process wasn’t without complications. Château Palmer, a prestigious French winery near Bordeaux whose older vintages can sell for over £1,500 on the secondary market, initially opposed the trademark application. The Bordeaux producer expressed concern that any subsequent products—particularly alcoholic beverages—could be confused with their established brand name, which has existed since 1814 when Englishman Major General Charles Palmer founded the estate.

To resolve the dispute, Palmer’s legal team amended the application to specifically exclude wine from the trademark’s scope. The revised application removed references to wine while maintaining protection for other product categories, satisfying Château Palmer’s concerns and allowing the trademark to proceed.

Products Covered by the Trademark

The ‘Cold Palmer’ trademark grants commercial protection across an extraordinarily diverse range of product categories, demonstrating ambitious plans for brand expansion beyond traditional footballer merchandise.

Approved Product Categories:

• Personal Care: Soaps, bath salts, toiletries
• Grooming: Razor blades, shaving products
• Apparel: Clothing, footwear, accessories
• Technology: Mobile phone covers, drones, underwater vehicles
• Stationery: Writing materials, office supplies
• Toys: Action figures, teddy bears, playthings
• Food & Beverages: Snacks, energy drinks, alcoholic beverages (excluding wine)
• Seasonal: Christmas crackers, festive items
• Sports Equipment: Footballs, boots, training gear

This extensive product range far exceeds typical footballer merchandising, which usually focuses on apparel and sports equipment. The inclusion of drones, underwater vehicles, and bath salts represents particularly unconventional choices that demonstrate creative ambition in building the ‘Cold Palmer’ brand beyond football.

The Origin Story: How ‘Cold Palmer’ Was Born

The ‘Cold Palmer’ phenomenon began during Chelsea’s match against Luton Town on December 30, 2023. After scoring a spectacular second goal, Palmer was interviewed pitch-side alongside teammate Noni Madueke, then a Chelsea player.

When asked about his brilliant strike, Palmer gave a brief explanation before Madueke delivered the line that would define Palmer’s brand: “That’s why they call him Cold Palmer innit.”

The interviewer then referenced Palmer’s distinctive shivering celebration—arms wrapped around himself as if cold—and the 21-year-old revealed its origin. “My boy did one at Middlesbrough, Morgs [Morgan Rogers],” Palmer explained. “So, yeah, I told him I’ll do it.”

Palmer’s 2023-24 Season Performance

That breakthrough 2023-24 season saw Palmer net 27 goals across all competitions for Chelsea, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most lethal attacking midfielders. His performances earned him a starting role for England at Euro 2024, where he scored the equalizer against Spain in the final before unveiling his celebration on international football’s biggest stage.

Cultural Impact Beyond Football

What began as a goal celebration has transcended football to become a genuine cultural phenomenon embraced by athletes across multiple sports and acknowledged by global entertainment figures.

Notable ‘Cold Palmer’ Adoption:

• Drake: Global rap superstar uploaded Palmer’s “Iceman” clip to social media and later released an album titled Iceman
• Gleyber Torres: New York Yankees player performed the celebration during the World Series
• Désiré Doué: PSG midfielder hit the celebration after scoring the winning penalty against Liverpool at Anfield in Champions League round of 16
• Multiple Athletes: Sports stars worldwide have adopted the shivering gesture

When Palmer revealed in an interview that if he were a rapper he’d call himself “Iceman,” Drake’s acknowledgment elevated Palmer’s cultural status beyond football fandom. The subsequent album title represented validation from one of music’s biggest stars.

The celebration’s spread to baseball (Torres at the World Series) and its adoption by rival footballers (Doué at Anfield) demonstrates its universal appeal and recognition value—exactly the kind of cultural penetration that makes trademarks commercially valuable.

Palmer’s Performance and Brand Value

Palmer’s 2024-25 season has only reinforced his star status and the commercial potential of the ‘Cold Palmer’ brand. He scored 18 goals for Chelsea across all competitions, including a crucial brace against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final.

Career Milestones at Chelsea

His calmness under pressure, particularly when taking penalties, has become legendary. This composure—the “coldness” that inspired his nickname—represents both sporting excellence and marketable personality traits that resonate with fans.

Legal Protection and Enforcement

The trademark grants Palmer significant legal protections that can be enforced through intellectual property law.

What the Trademark Means:

Ben Travers, an intellectual property lawyer at Foot Anstey LLP, explained to The Athletic: “A player looking to register a nickname, a brand name or their own name is essentially taking steps to protect their brand identity. And that’s helpful, obviously, while they are at the height of their professional career, but it also potentially helps them create a long-term revenue through licensing, whether that’s video games, or merchandise, or whatever it might be.”

Karen Lee, an intellectual property lawyer at Edwin Coe, added: “Once you have a registered trademark in place, it is much easier to enforce your rights against third parties. Anyone using something that’s the same or similar can amount to an infringement. And that’s when it can lead to high court litigation, which can be very expensive.“

This legal framework protects Palmer from:

• Unauthorized merchandise sellers exploiting his nickname
• Counterfeit products using ‘Cold Palmer’ branding
• Competitors using similar terms for commercial advantage
• Video games or media using the nickname without licensing agreements

Following Football’s Trademark Precedents

Palmer joins an elite group of footballers who have secured trademarks for their brand identities, establishing intellectual property portfolios that generate revenue long after playing careers end.

Notable Football Trademarks

Ronaldo’s CR7 trademark has become one of football’s most valuable brands, generating hundreds of millions through licensing deals for hotels, fragrances, clothing, and more. Beckham’s trademarked identities have helped him build a business empire valued at hundreds of millions post-retirement.

Additional Trademark Applications

Beyond ‘Cold Palmer,’ Palmer has filed separate applications to trademark his actual name, autograph, and his distinctive shivering celebration itself. The celebration trademark application, which includes video documentation of the gesture, reportedly has not yet been approved but remains under consideration.

Trademarking the physical celebration would provide even broader protection, potentially preventing other athletes or entertainers from commercially exploiting the shivering gesture—though enforcement of celebration trademarks can prove more challenging than name-based trademarks.

Commercial Strategy and Future Revenue

Sports marketing experts view Palmer’s trademark strategy as sophisticated brand building that aligns with modern athlete commercial approaches. Rather than relying solely on club salaries and traditional endorsements, elite athletes increasingly develop personal intellectual property portfolios.

Revenue Potential:

1. Licensing Agreements: Companies pay to use ‘Cold Palmer’ on their products
2. Own-Brand Products: Palmer launches Cold Palmer-branded merchandise directly
3. Video Games: Protection when negotiating rights for FIFA/EA Sports and other games
4. Endorsement Leverage: Trademark increases value in sponsorship negotiations
5. Post-Career Income: Continues generating revenue after retirement

The diversity of approved product categories suggests Palmer envisions ‘Cold Palmer’ as a lifestyle brand rather than simply football merchandise. Bath salts, drones, and Christmas crackers indicate creative ambition beyond standard athlete branding.

Chelsea’s Perspective

While the trademark belongs to Palmer personally rather than Chelsea FC, the club benefits from their star player’s elevated profile and cultural relevance. Palmer’s brand recognition drives shirt sales, social media engagement, and global interest in Chelsea.

The club has embraced the ‘Cold Palmer’ phenomenon, regularly featuring his celebration in official content and leveraging his popularity in marketing campaigns. As Palmer trademarked the term individually, Chelsea would require his permission to use ‘Cold Palmer’ in commercial contexts—though such arrangements are typically negotiated cooperatively.

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