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SPONSORSHIPS

Rugby

smiling Emirates Lions rugby league players

OUR RUGBY SPONSORSHIPS

Rugby

Staying front and centre at top-class rugby events

We strive to reflect the core values of the game and enrich the experiences of rugby fans across the globe. Our commitment to rugby is showcased by our growing number of sponsorships.

We have been the Title Sponsor of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens for over 30 years, and a proud sponsor of the Cape Town Sevens. 

We first sponsored the RWC 2007 in France as a Tournament Sponsor, and have since upgraded this partnership to becoming a worldwide partner by signing an agreement for the Rugby World Cup 2011, 2015, and 2019, held in New Zealand, England and Japan respectively.

We can be found at the centre of action at every international rugby match through our sponsorship of the World Rugby elite panel of referees, who always take to the field in their ‘Emirates Fly Better’ kit.

World Rugby Referees and Match Officials

Since the inception of RWC in 1987, Emirates has been the first brand to ever feature on the playing kits of players and match officials. Through our sponsorship of the World Rugby referees, we’re at the centre of every international rugby match. The elite pool of officials who take charge of the sport’s biggest matches wear Emirates on their shirts, ensuring we are with them at the heart of the action on the pitch and on the touchlines too.

Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens

As long-term supporters of rugby in Dubai, we have sponsored the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens since 1987 as our longest ever sponsorship. The tournament is now firmly established as one of the best on the HSBC Sevens World Series circuit.

In the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens’ 50-year history, we have been the event’s Official Sponsor since 1988. As the first stop on the nine-leg HSBC Sevens World Series, the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens brings over 3,000 rugby players and over 100,000 spectators through the gates at The Sevens, Dubai’s Emirates-sponsored premier sports and events venue.

Cape Town Sevens 

The second stopover, the Cape Town Sevens delivers some of the most exciting, competitive and exciting matches you’ll find in the ten-tournament HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series. We’re proud to have been part of the action since 2016. 

Our sponsorship offers us great visibility at the Cape Town Stadium, with our branding at the venue and on tickets, as well as hospitality rights during the three-day event. 

Emirates Lions 

As one of the most established local teams in South Africa, the Emirates Lions have built up an impressive repertoire of accomplishments over the past five years, which includes qualifying for three consecutive Vodacom Super Rugby finals. They have also produced 16 capped Springbok players and continue to discover local talent.

Emirates has been title sponsor of the Emirates Lions since 2015 and our agreement also includes naming rights of the Lions home ground, Emirates Airline Park, in Johannesburg.

UAE Rugby Federation

We have a rich rugby heritage and strive to reflect the core values of the game while enriching the experiences of rugby fans in the UAE and across the globe. Our sponsorship agreement with the UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) reinforces our commitment to the continued growth of the sport in the country. 

We have been the official airline of UAERF since 2011, and also sponsor the Men’s, Women’s and Under 20’2 National 7’s and 15’s teams. The Emirates logo is proudly displayed on players’ shirts across these leagues.

Dubai Hurricanes Football Club

Formed in 1999, the Dubai Hurricanes have grown from a senior’s social club arranging friendly matches in the UAE into one of the most competitive clubs in the Gulf region and Asia. Emirates has been a principal sponsor of the club since 2016, complimenting our existing commitment to the hugely popular sport in the region. 

Spanning three seasons, our sponsorship will see our Fly Better promise on shirts of the men’s, women’s, veterans and youth squads.