Emirates has announced its continued dedication to growing rugby and reaching new markets by becoming the Title Sponsor of Asia Rugby. This multi-year partnership will empower Asia Rugby to invest in and host Sevens and Fifteens series tournaments, as well as the Asia Rugby Championships, engaging participants from 36 countries across the continent.
Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, stated, “Emirates has a long-standing history of supporting rugby, and we’ve significantly deepened our involvement at every level, from global organizations like World Rugby and the Rugby World Cup to the Emirates Dubai 7s. We are proud to extend our support to Asia Rugby, helping to take the sport into new markets and foster opportunities for young athletes to develop their skills.”
His Excellency Qais Al-Dhalai, President of Asia Rugby, welcomed Emirates as a key partner, highlighting the significance of this collaboration in expanding rugby's reach across Asia. He noted, “With Emirates’ backing, we can bring the excitement and values of rugby to a new generation of players and fans. This partnership aligns perfectly with our goal of building a robust talent pipeline and a passionate fanbase.”
As part of the agreement, Emirates will be the title sponsor for various Asia Rugby competitions, including the Asia Rugby Men’s and Women’s Championships and the Asia Rugby Sevens Series. This involvement provides a pathway to premier regional and global competitions such as the Rugby World Cup and the Olympic Games.
Emirates’ iconic ‘Fly Better’ branding will be prominently featured across match official jerseys, match balls, support staff attire, and stadium branding for 21 tournaments over the next three years. The first event under this partnership will be the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series, beginning on September 21, 2024, in Hangzhou, China.
With Asia representing 60% of the world's population and 80% of its youth, this partnership aims to cultivate a new generation of rugby players and enhance the sport's presence in local communities. Emirates is already a major player in international rugby, sponsoring events such as the Rugby World Cup since 2007 and actively supporting rugby in its home base of Dubai through the Emirates Dubai 7s and local clubs.
This new collaboration marks another step in Emirates’ long-standing commitment to the sport, ensuring a bright future for rugby across Asia.