English Premiership strikes crucial deal for the ‘growth of the game’ after years of financial turmoil
Premiership Rugby have announced a multi-year deal to safeguard the league.
Premiership Rugby have announced a multi-year deal to safeguard the league renewing their partnership with title sponsor Gallagher until 2028.
The latest extension will see the Premiership Rugby and Gallagher celebrate a decade-long partnership in a huge boost for the future of the game in England.
In recent seasons, the competition has seen the likes of London Irish, Wasps and Worcester Warriors collapse after financial turmoil but the Premiership looks to have turned the corner in the 2023/24 season.
Premiership Rugby and Gallagher extend partnership
Northampton Saints were crowned champions last season defeating Bath in the final with the competition being broadcasted in 164 territories – reaching more than 100 million fans across the globe.
The final was also the league’s fastest-ever sold-out showpiece event after the closest season on record.
Much of the league’s success has been credited to Gallagher’s involvement since becoming the official title sponsor of Premiership Rugby in 2018.
The insurance brokerage has helped drive attendance records across the league during the 2023/24 campaign through its ground-breaking ‘Right Here for Rugby’ initiative, which succeeded in its aim to bring the game to new audiences up and down the country, a Premiership statement noted.
While Gallagher has co-funded Premiership Rugby’s award-winning community programme, Project Rugby, which has seen more than 100,000 young people engage in the sport across England.
The programme focuses on the recruitment of participants from underrepresented groups, these include women and girls, people with disabilities, and those from ethnically diverse or lower-social economic backgrounds.
Premiership Rugby Chief Executive Officer Simon Massie-Taylor hailed the impact of Gallagher and believes the partnership is one of the best in sport.
“Gallagher has been an incredible partner to Premiership Rugby, and all of our clubs, over the past six years. And this new extension provides important, long-term support for the sport as we write a new story together.
“Gallagher and its leadership have demonstrated real commitment and passion for growing the league and we could not have asked for more from a title partner,” Massie-Taylor said.
“So I speak on the behalf of everyone at Premiership Rugby and all of our clubs when I say how delighted we are to have renewed our title partnership with Gallagher. We look forward to what we can achieve in what will become a decade together in what is fast-becoming one of the most successful partnerships in sport.”
Promotion and relegation model in English rugby redefined following new MPGP deal
Taking the game of rugby to new viewers
Michael Rea, CEO of Gallagher in the UK, added: “I am delighted to renew and extend our partnership with Premiership Rugby.?Our relationship over the past six seasons has helped to take the game of rugby to new viewers and participants, from all walks of life, something which we are very proud of.?For our business, the partnership has helped us to expand the Gallagher name, interact with rugby at all levels of the game, and build a great bond with the rugby community.”
Finally, Chief Marketing Officer of Gallagher, Christopher E. Mead said the company wants to continue to help grow the game.
“We are thrilled to reinforce our commitment to English rugby by renewing our contract as title partner of Premiership Rugby for three more years. Gallagher Premiership Rugby provides action and excitement like no other game in our view and we want to continue to play our part in the future growth of the game and the aspirations for the league that the team has set out,” he said.
“In times of change trusted partnerships are fundamental to success, be that in sport or business, and we continue to support this fantastic sport with our unwavering commitment. At Gallagher, we are committed to supporting the communities in which our clients live and work and we stand shoulder to shoulder with all rugby clubs and fans as we move into the next chapter.”
READ MORE:?RFU announce ground-breaking MPGP deal to ‘stabilise and transform the professional game’