Highlights

Australian-based Buy-Now Pay-Later brand Afterpay has taken naming rights to Sydney SuperDome in a landmark five-year deal - the brand’s first major sport sponsorship.

The Financial Services category is the biggest investor in venue naming rights, providing consistent high profile exposure in a lower-risk environment.

A win for Scout clients! Aussie (Home Loans) has entered an innovative new partnership Melbourne Victory Football Club and Western Sydney Wanderers FC.

Through the multi-club approach, Aussie benefits from both national reach, and deep community engagement, with two of the biggest fanbases in Australia’s two biggest markets. We’re proud for Scout’s data & insights to have played a role.

The NBL and WNBL have confirmed Virgin Australia as Official Airline Partner on a new three-year deal. It comes off the back of significant recent activity from the brand, signing renewals with the AFL and Carlton and a new deal with the Sydney Swans in the last 3 months.

In March, Scout Pro forecasted that Virgin might look to target a summer-based code to balance their previously winter-skewed portfolio.

From Scout Pro’s Brands to Watch in March

Get first-mover advantage with Scout Pro

Join Scout Pro for deeper insights each week, including:

  • The Hidden Market - new deals not announced publicly this week (14)

  • Expired partnerships - deals ended in the last week (3)

  • New entrants - brands new to sponsorship this week (23)

  • Brands to Watch - brands primed for activity

  • Hot Categories - the most active / fastest growing sectors

Activity this week

This Week In Sponsorship

Announcements

AFL 🎽

New

  • 🧺 Fisher & Paykel / Haier x Carlton Football Club: "We've welcomed Fisher & Paykel and Haier as a new partner across our AFL and AFLW programs and Carlton IN Business."

  • 💪 AlphaFit x Tasmania Football Club: "We are proud to announce that AlphaFit has joined as our Official Sports Supplement Supplier 🤝"

  • 🎓 Academy Movement x Essendon Football Club: "The Essendon Football Club, in collaboration with non-profit education service provider Academy Movement Inc, has finalised a grassroots partnership designed to embed structured Australian Rules Football academies within schools across the club's Next Generation Academy (NGA) recruitment zone."

Renewal

  • 🛡️ AIA Australia x Collingwood Football Club: "We're pleased to announce AIA Australia has extended its partnership with our Club 🤝"

  • ♻️ Containers for Change WA x Fremantle Dockers: "The Fremantle Football Club and Containers for Change WA are proud to announce the expansion of their ongoing association through the 2026 AFL season."

  • 🏛️ SA Attorney-General's Department x Port Adelaide FC: "Power Community Limited is proud to announce the extension of its partnership with the South Australian Attorney-General's Department, securing increased funding support for the Santos Ltd Aboriginal Power Cup over the next four years 🤝"

Rugby League 👕

New

  • 🐴 Magic Millions x Gold Coast Titans: "The Gold Coast Titans and Magic Millions are proud to announce a new three-year partnership that will see two of the city's most iconic brands join forces to support and elevate the club's NRLW program."

  • 🤠 Ringers Western x Penrith Panthers: "Ringers Western joins the Panthers family! 'When two brands built on shared principles stand side by side, it's not simply sponsorship, it's a partnership with strength and direction,' Panthers Rugby League CEO Matt Cameron said."

  • 🏟️ Rugby League Hawkes Bay x New Zealand Rugby League: "We're proud to announce, Rugby League Hawkes Bay will host the '26 NZRL Men's Premiership North pool, the National Women's Premiership, and the National Men's and Women's Championships."

  • 👗 SŚAINT x Newcastle Knights: "The Newcastle Knights have continued to push the boundaries of sport, fashion and culture, unveiling a groundbreaking merchandise capsule collaboration with Australian lifestyle brand, SŚAINT."

Renewal

  • 🪃 Deadly Choices x Gold Coast Titans: "Excited to extend our Deadly Choices partnership for a further two years 🤝🏼"

Rugby Union 🏉

New

  • 🩻 Pacific Radiology x Highlanders: "We're proud to announce Pacific Radiology are the Official Medical Imaging Partners of the Highlanders."

  • 📊 Xero x New Zealand Rugby: "New Zealand Rugby is excited to announce a new multi‑year partnership with Xero, supporting the All Blacks and Black Ferns. The partnership sees Xero become the Official Small Business Accounting Platform Partner of New Zealand Rugby, supporting clubs and rugby organisations with tools that make their day‑to‑day operations easier."

  • Swire Shipping x Fijian Drua Women: "The Men proudly remain the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua, while the Women welcome Swire Shipping as a major jersey partner."

Renewal

  • Swire Shipping x Fijian Drua (Men): "Beyond excited to confirm that our partnership with Swire Shipping continues ⛵️🌊 Vinaka Vakalevu to our founding Naming Rights Partner for their continued support of both our Men's and Women's teams."

Basketball 🏀

New

  • ✈️ Virgin Australia x NBL & WNBL: "Two huge announcements in one day 🚨 HoopsFest is heading back to Western Australia this January, and the NBL and WNBL have announced a new three-year partnership with Virgin Australia as the Official Airline Partner of both leagues 🤝"

Renewal

  • 🏋️ Revo Fitness x Adelaide 36ers: "New front-of-jersey partner = locked in 🔴⚫ The Adelaide 36ers have today announced a new three-year agreement with Revo Fitness, which will elevate the fast-growing fitness chain to be a Major Partner of the NBL club until at least 2029! ❤️"

  • 📺 Sky New Zealand x Basketball New Zealand: "Big news for basketball! We're excited to share that we have extended our partnership with Sky New Zealand, with a major step forward for the visibility and accessibility of our domestic game. From 2027, fans across the motu will be able to stream every Sal's NBL, G.J. Gardner Homes Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa and Rapid League game live and free in one place on ThreeNow, while all games will also remain available on Sky Sport."

Football ⚽

New

  • 🏠 Aussie Home Loans x Melbourne Victory & Western Sydney Wanderers: "Melbourne Victory is pleased to announce Aussie as a new new Major Partner with category exclusivity 🤝"

Renewal

  • 📺 Paramount+ / Network 10 x A-Leagues: "The APL is pleased to confirm the extension of its broadcast rights agreement with Paramount+ and Network 10 for a further three years."

Motorsport 🏁

Renewal

  • 🛞 Tyrepower x Supercars: "Fresh off a standout 2026 Tyrepower Tasmania Super 440, Supercars and Tyrepower have extended their long-standing partnership through to 2030. The extension builds on a relationship spanning more than two decades, dating back to the introduction of the Tyrepower Cutting at the Bathurst 1000 in 2006."

Surfing 🏄

New

  • 🎓 Southern Cross University x Surfing Australia: "Surfing Australia is proud to welcome Southern Cross University as Official University Partner and Major Partner."

Greyhound Racing 🐕

Renewal

  • 🎗️ Mark Hughes Foundation x Greyhound Racing NSW: "Greyhound Racing NSW has announced the renewal of its partnership with the Mark Hughes Foundation for the 2026 calendar year. The contract extension follows a highly successful inaugural campaign in 2025, which saw Greyhound Racing NSW and the wider state greyhound racing industry generate a total of $120,000 for the charity."

Venue 🏟️

New

  • 💳 Afterpay x Sydney SuperDome: "Today, we're proud to announce a landmark five-year partnership that will see Afterpay become the new naming rights partner of Sydney SuperDome."

Multi-Sport 🏆

New

  • 🪑 Felton Industries x SportWest: "SportWest is proud to announce a new four-year partnership with leading Australian manufacturer Felton Industries, reinforcing a shared commitment to strengthening sport and recreation communities across Western Australia."

Renewal

  • 🛋️ Harvey Norman x Commonwealth Games Australia: "The Australian Commonwealth Games Team today welcomes Harvey Norman as an Official Partner, joining forces to help support Australian athletes on their road to the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games. Building on the partnership first established at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the collaboration with Harvey Norman brings together two proudly Australian organisations united by a shared commitment to investing in sport, backing athletes and celebrating Australia's success on the global stage."

Get more insights with Scout Pro

  • The hidden market - new deals not announced publicly

  • Expired partnerships - deals ended in the last month

  • New entrants - brands new to sponsorship each week

  • Brands to Watch - Scout recommendations based on competitor activity

  • Hot Categories - the most active / fastest growing sectors

Are you hiring? Get in touch with our partner business, Talent Economy.

Partner with industry experts, Talent Economy, to unearth top talent across the Aussie media, sport, entertainment and marketing sectors. Head to talenteconomy.com.au, follow on LinkedIn or email [email protected].

Keep Reading