There has been “Watershed moment” for women’s rugby sponsorship after 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup

The tournament capped off with a peak TV audience of 5.8 million in the UK, making the final between England’s Red Roses and Canada the most‑watched rugby match in the UK for the year.

Nike’s new five-year partnership with the Women’s Super League is more than a logo deal—it’s a game-changer for women’s football. By supplying free boots to every unsponsored player in the top two tiers, plus gloves for goalkeepers and match balls across the competitions, Nike has removed a major cost barrier while setting a new standard for sponsorship in sport. For too long, WSL players had to pay for their own kit—an invisible friction that undermined professionalism.

Most sports marketing partnerships flop because they’re built on tactics, not truth.

In this new blog, I break down why the smartest sponsorships don’t start with logo placements or influencer decks—they start with a Venn diagram. Three circles: the sponsor, the rights holder, and the fan. The magic? It’s in the middle.

If you want partnerships that actually matter—to fans, to brands, and to the future of sport—this one’s worth a read.

Discover why a product is not the same as a brand and how understanding the difference is crucial for success. In this blog, we explore the key distinctions between product and brand, using real-life sports industry examples to show how powerful branding can elevate your offerings. Learn actionable strategies to build emotional connections, stay consistent, and deliver on brand promises, setting your business apart in the crowded marketplace.

Discover 10 actionable strategies to boost sponsorship revenue for grassroots sports clubs! From leveraging community spaces to social media shoutouts, this guide offers creative, community-focused ideas to attract local sponsors and enhance funding. Perfect for club organisers looking to make a bigger impact with limited resources. Learn how to transform your club’s assets into valuable sponsorship opportunities and build stronger ties with your local businesses. Read the full blog on First Five Marketing and start unlocking new revenue for your grassroots club today!

UK basketball is sitting on a goldmine of untapped potential—yet brands and stakeholders continue to overlook it. With its unique blend of culture, sport, and community, the sport is poised to explode, offering 24/7 engagement opportunities that other sports can’t match. But the window is closing fast.

UEFA Women’s Euro and the Rugby World Cup (Women) taking centre stage. These events offer a unique opportunity to drive fan engagement, increase sponsorship deals, and push for media coverage equality. Grassroots programmes, such as The FA's "Gameplan for Growth," are expected to bear fruit, feeding more talent into the professional ranks. As the push for equal pay and prize money gains momentum, 2025 is poised to be a landmark year for gender parity in professional sports. Are brands and broadcasters ready to fully embrace the potential of women's sports?

Discover the profound impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights on college sports, highlighting financial benefits, challenges, and future prospects for athletes in the US and UK.