Shorts: PREM Rugby, Arsenal, Wrexham

PREM Rugby has agreed a five-year partnership extension with Defender, securing the relationship into its 25th year during the 2026/27 season.

Under the renewed agreement, Defender has become the title partner of PREM Next Gen, the recently revamped competition for club academies to develop under-18 rugby talent. Alongside this, the brand has launched the Defender Breakthrough Bursary to support the player development pathway.

Additionally, Defender has partnered with PREM Rugby on a six-part content series showcasing the academy system, which is scheduled to launch during the 2026/27 season. Interest in the academy competition has grown significantly, with the combined digital audience for the past two Finals Days exceeding 150,000.

Kelly Cooke, Commercial Director, PREM Rugby, said, “Defender has been an outstanding partner to PREM Rugby for more than two decades and we are delighted to extend our relationship for a further five years. Reaching 25 years of partnership is a remarkable milestone and reflects a shared commitment to developing young talent and investing in the future of the game. PREM Next Gen plays a vital role in the player pathway, helping to prepare the next generation of Gallagher PREM and England stars.“

Arsenal have signed a multi-year partnership with the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.

The agreement sees the Caribbean island become the official tourism partner of both the men’s and women’s teams. Through the collaboration, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has agreed to highlight the island as a travel destination to the club’s global fanbase.

As part of the deal, SLTA has secured exposure on matchday LED boards at the Emirates Stadium, alongside branding across the club’s digital and social media channels. The partnership will also involve community initiatives and exclusive fan experiences.

Juliet Slot, Chief Commercial Officer, Arsenal, said, “We are delighted to welcome Saint Lucia as our official tourism partner. Saint Lucia is a beautiful destination and we look forward to working together to showcase the island to our supporters around the world.”

Lorine Charles-St. Jules, CEO, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Arsenal. This multi-year agreement will allow us to showcase the unique beauty and warm hospitality of Saint Lucia to a global audience.”

Wrexham AFC have partnered with active play brand Nex.

Wrexham AFC have agreed a kit sleeve sponsorship deal with Nex ahead of the 2026-27 season. The agreement has secured Nex branding on the sleeve of Wrexham AFC’s playing kit, with activations planned during the club’s summer tour. Nex has also secured integration into the documentary series Welcome to Wrexham, while both organisations have committed to delivering youth sports initiatives through the Wrexham AFC Foundation and Academy.

The collaboration has coincided with the launch of the Nex Playground console.

Tom Kang, President and Head of International at Nex, said, “Wrexham AFC and Nex are both writing exciting new chapters in our respective journeys, driven by a shared commitment to community and connection. As we expand into the UK, we’re proud to partner with a club that has inspired supporters around the world while staying true to the people and families at the heart of its success. Together, we look forward to creating memorable experiences that bring families together through sports, movement, and play.”

Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds, Co-chairmen of Wrexham AFC, said, “Nex Playground and Wrexham both have big dreams and have experienced giant leaps forward in the past few years. We look forward to growing together and Nex Playground consoles also allow the esteemed but ageing Wrexham Co-Chairmen the ability to keep playing and competing but with less risk of ACL tears.“

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has signed an exclusive off-pitch management deal with Hattrick Management.

The Everton goalkeeper joins a stable of football talent at the agency, which was founded by Jonny Hatt. Pickford’s new stablemates include Manchester City duo Jack Grealish and Phil Foden, as well as Aston Villa captain John McGinn.

Ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Hattrick Management has already secured several global commercial deals for the player. These partnerships include alignments with multinational brands Hilton, Google, Unilever, and Pringles.

The announcement comes as Pickford prepares to earn his 13th World Cup cap for England this evening, representing his third international tournament as the national team’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Jonny Hatt, Founder of Hattrick Management, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Jordan to our roster ahead of such an exciting period in his career. He is an outstanding athlete with immense commercial appeal, and we are proud to have already delivered several landmark global partnerships for him.”

Hampshire Cricket have partnered with business solutions provider Barnsgate Solutions.

Under the terms of the agreement, Barnsgate Solutions will receive pitch-side branding and big screen advertising at Utilita Bowl during both domestic and international fixtures.

The collaboration will also see the rollout of a targeted content campaign across the stadium’s digital channels to showcase the brand’s services to corporate and consumer audiences.

Chris Piper, Director, Barnsgate Solutions, said, “This partnership marks an exciting step for Barnsgate Solutions as we continue to grow our presence and connect with new audiences. The opportunity to align with such a respected venue and internationally recognised sporting platform allows us to showcase our expertise on a much bigger stage. We’re particularly excited about the blend of in‑stadium visibility and digital activation, which will enable us to engage both businesses and fans in a meaningful and impactful way.”

Clash of Clans has reintroduced its Global Chat feature through a football-themed campaign featuring Thierry Henry, Kaká and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Clash of Clans has brought back Global Chat, a player communication feature, as part of a football-themed campaign featuring former footballers Thierry Henry, Kaká and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Available globally from 17 June, Global Chat allows players to find clans, connect with other users and discuss gameplay strategies. The relaunch is accompanied by a football-themed in-game event, including a special Clan War League.

The campaign comes during a period of major international football competition and features a launch film with the three former players, focusing on competition, teamwork and strategy.

“Competition is a mindset. Whether it’s on the pitch or on your phone, that desire to win never leaves you,” said Thierry Henry.

Clash of Clans is developed by Supercell and remains one of the world’s most popular mobile strategy games.