Turkish Airlines Partners With European Rugby

05 Nov 2015 | tshego

Share on

Turkish Airlines has been announced as the official partner of European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

The agreement between the tournament organiser of European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) and the national airline of Turkey will run for three years until the end of the 2017/18 season.

The announcement was made during EPCR’s tournament launch for the 2015/16 season at the Twickenham Stoop, which was attended by rugby and business media.

The 2015/16 European club rugby season kicks off on 12th November with the Challenge Cup meeting of Harlequins and Montpellier at the Twickenham Stoop. The Champions Cup gets underway the following evening on 13th November, when Leicester Tigers and Stade Francais Paris clash at Welford Road.

EPCR chairman, Simon Halliday, said: “The fact that we are joining forces with a truly global brand is great news for European club rugby. We believe that the new-look Champions Cup and Challenge Cup made great strides in the inaugural season, and now to have an ambitious, dynamic partner on board such as Turkish Airlines is a major boost for the tournaments.

“While this is the company’s first rugby sponsorship, Turkish Airlines have been associated with top-class sport for many years and we are certain that they will be a factor in broadening the base of club rugby in Europe and bringing the game to new, enthusiastic fans.”

Ilker Ayci, chairman of Turkish Airlines, added: “We are delighted to announce our long-term sponsorship of the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup. This partnership reinforces Turkish Airlines’ position as Europe’s Best Airline and demonstrates our continued commitment to sport in Europe and across the whole world.”

EPCR will be making another important sponsorship announcement at its tournament launch for Top 14 clubs in Lyon on Monday 9th November.