Rugby League World Cup 2021 secures record-breaking sponsorship deal with Cazoo

Organisers say the seven-figure rights fee to make Cazoo, the UK’s leading online car retailer, its principal tournament sponsor is also the biggest rugby league commercial deal outside of Australia.

Cazoo generated record revenues of over £150m in its first year and, given the current economic climate, securing such a sponsor is a real high for RLWC2021 ahead of next year’s tournament in the UK.

RLWC2021 commercial director Jonathan Neill said: “Rugby League World Cup 2021 is about being bold and brave and setting firsts for the tournament.

“This is the largest sponsorship deal in Rugby League World Cup history and we are grateful for the trust Cazoo have shown in the tournament.

“RLWC2021 and Cazoo share many of the same principles and values, both have a clear ethical purpose, and we will work together to continue to be trailblazing and positively disruptive over the next 12 months.”

Meanwhile, applications for tickets to the RLWC2021 ballot – the first in the sport’s history – have far exceeded expectations with 70 per cent of applications also coming from fans who are new to the sport according to RLWC2021 chief executive Jon Dutton.

Applications came from 32 different countries across five continents and as far and wide as Brazil and Jamaica.

Interestingly, London topped the ballot demand with the most applications coming from postcodes within the capital – even overshadowing ticket requests from the North of England.

Dutton said: “The reaction to the ballot has been outstanding and shows significant confidence and excitement for the tournament.

“Despite the pandemic, people have made an early commitment largely based on anticipation, hope and optimism.”