World Rugby and its licensing agency IMG are on the hunt to find a global sports apparel suppliers for all World Rugby competitions up to 2024.
For the first time, IMG says the chosen supplier will have access to all of the rights and assets for every one of World Rugby’s international meets, including the World Cup in 2021 and 2023.
The most recent World Cup was held in Japan in 2019, and broke attendance and broadcast audience records. World Rugby says 1.8 million rugby fans attended the games in person, and more than 857 million people watched the action on TV. Driven by high viewership, the sale of licensed products in 2019 out performed 2015 sales revenue by more than 40 per cent.
The most recent World Cup was held in Japan in 2019, and World Rugby says the event broke attendance and broadcast audience records. Approximately 1.8 million fans attended the games in person, while more than 857 million people watched the event on TV. High viewership numbers also increased revenue from licensed product sales, growing by more than 40 per cent over reported revenue in 2015.
“We are delighted to be kicking off this important process with IMG, our global master licensee,” said World Rugby commercial director, Tom Hill. “The selection of the right apparel supplier is key to projecting the sport, engaging with fans and growing revenues for reinvestment in the sport.
“Given the prestige of the properties this agreement will cover, the success of the apparel programme at RWC 2019 in Japan, and excitement around France 2023, this is an attractive and lucrative proposition for interested parties—one that will directly support the growth of rugby worldwide.”
IMG says the property is attractive due to the rapid growth of rugby as a global sport.
“Rugby is enjoying unprecedented worldwide growth across male, female and youth participation after Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan broke a multitude of records in one of the most impactful and ground-breaking tournaments in the game’s history,” said Mickael Andreo, VP of licensing at IMG . “We are looking forward to taking this opportunity to market as we believe it represents a singular opportunity for brands aiming to position themselves as the authority in the rugby space.”
Applicants can contact Maelle.Coulon@img.com with licensing inquiries.