Partnership Brochure

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 2026

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF ELITE SCHOOLBOY RUGBY

Hosted by

2026 – A landmark 40th anniversary festival The Pinnacle of School Rugby For 40 years, the National Schools Rugby Festival hosted at St Joseph’s College has been one of the standout occasions in the school rugby calendar, a fiercely contested tournament that has consistently brought together some of the best young talent in the game.

Established in 1987, the Festival has grown in stature year on year and every October it welcomes 16 leading rugby schools from across the Hosted by UK and Ireland. Over four decades, it has built a reputation for high standards and as a tournament where names are made. Many of its alumni have progressed to the highest levels of the game, including international players such as Marcus Smith, Zach Mercer, Lewis Ludlam, Chris Robshaw and Mako Vunipola.

Now, as it marks its 40th year, the Festival moves into a new chapter.

A refreshed brand identity has been introduced, designed to honour its heritage while reflecting its continued evolution and ambition for the future. The 2026 Festival, taking place from 16–18 October, will not only celebrate a significant milestone in its history, it will signal the start of its next era.

Bradford Grammar School

Millfield School

Colston’s Collegiate

St Joseph’s College

Colston’s Collegiate

1993

1994

1995

1996

Millfield School

1990

1992

Arnold School

1989

Bradford Grammar School

Bradford Grammar School

1988

2

1991

Downside School

1987

Hosted by

National Schools Rugby Festival

The National Schools Rugby Festival unites the top state and independent school teams, offering young athletes a prestigious platform to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level of rugby.

The 40th Annual National Schools Rugby Festival WHERE St Joseph’s College, Ipswich WHEN Fri 16–Sun 18 October 2026 PARTICIPANTS 16 schools from around the UK (U18, U15, U11)

Partnership Programme 2026

Partner with the UK’s premier schoolboy rugby event and showcase your brand to over 2 million engaged viewers across digital and live platforms. The National Schools Rugby Festival offers unparalleled exposure, premium networking, and a chance to align with the future stars of professional rugby. With sponsorship packages to suit every level, featuring highimpact branding, VIP hospitality, and digital reach, now is the perfect time to get involved.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your brand on a national stage.

GET INVOLVED

Colston’s Collegiate

Colston’s Collegiate

Millfield School

Filton College

Millfield School

2003

2004

2005

2006

Blackrock College

2000

2002

RGS High Wycombe

1999

Colston’s Collegiate

Colston’s Collegiate

1998

2001

QEGS Wakefield

1997

Contact us today: R.Gordon-Cocker@stjos.co.uk

Hosted at St Joseph’s College

3

SINCE 1987

40 SCHOOLS HAVE 640COMPETED YEARS OF PROVEN IMPACT

FOUR DECADES OF AUDIENCE GROWTH, TALENT DEVELOPMENT AND BRAND EXPOSURE

12,000+ 150,000+ 50,000+ PLAYERS

ATTENDEES SINCE 1987 MINUTES OF RUGBY

14.3

MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UK EXPRESS INTEREST IN RUGBY, MARKING A 13% INCREASE SINCE 2023.

Millfield School

St Joseph’s College

Millfield School

Hampton School

Cranleigh School

2013

2014

2015

2016

St Joseph’s College

2010

2012

John Fisher School

2009

Dulwich College

Filton College

2008

4

2011

Filton College

2007

Source: premiershiprugby.com

National Schools Rugby Festival

A PROVEN STAGE FOR LEADING RUGBY SCHOOLS

Millfield School

Kirkham Grammar School

Millfield School

Wellington College

TBC...

2023

2024

2025

2026

Collegiate School

2022

Strathalan Millfield School (Cup changed to Trophy)

Blackrock

2021

Trinity

Covid

St Joseph’s College

2020

RGS High Wycombe

Wellington College

QEGS Wakefield

2019

Millfield

RGS Newcastle

Whitchurch

2018

Hampton School

Brighton College

Wellington

2017

Brighton College

Hosted at St Joseph’s College

5

Audience, Reach & Digital Impact The St Joseph’s Rugby Festival is a proven launchpad for future stars like Marcus Smith and Jonathan Joseph. It brings together elite state and independent schoolboy teams, families, alumni and professional scouts, delivering premium exposure.

With a growing digital audience via live streaming and social media, it’s the perfect platform to connect with a passionate, rugby-driven community.

SOCIAL MEDIA VIEWS

722,400 / 60.2%

1,200,000 334,800 / 27.9%

116,400 / 9.7%

27,600 / 2.3%

LIVE STREAM VIEWS

156,000+

WEBSITE VISITORS

25,000+

PROGRAMME READERSHIP

2,500+

FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY UPLIFT

• Increased media attention around milestone year • Expanded live streaming coverage to three pitches across three full days • Higher engagement across social platforms 6

National Schools Rugby Festival

Broadcast Partner: NextGenLive NextGenLive have covered the ’Triple Crown’ of school rugby events: • Rosslyn Park 7s • Sedbergh Super 10s • National Schools Rugby Festival (NSRF)

AUDIENCE

The platform delivers a premium ABC1 audience with a unique demographic mix of students, alumni and high-net-worth parents.

• Broadcast to 200,000+ engaged rugby fans • Coverage across UK, South Africa, Ireland • Growing markets: Australia, NZ, USA • 16% YoY livestream growth 2024

UK (primary market) South Africa (major secondary market) Ireland GROWING PRESENCE IN: Australia New Zealand

2025 0

CORE AUDIENCE DISTRIBUTION:

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

Hosted at St Joseph’s College

USA This is a global rugby network across elite rugby nations 7

Partnership Opportunities Choose from multiple packages designed to meet brand goals and budgets.

Headline Partner

Main kit sponsorship on front of shirt 4 x pitch side advertising boards 1 x Live Stream Advertisement (multiple-plays) High frequency brand exposure across digital channels: website, livestreams & social channels L Dinterview O ∙ Match commentary and mentions S ∙ Festival programme advertising (Inside Front Cover & Back Page) ∙ Banners, and visibility in hospitality areas ∙ 10 x VIP tickets Available from £20,000 ∙ ∙ ∙ ∙

Kit Sleeve Sponsor

Logo featured on players’ sleeves – visible throughout matches, livestreams and photos. Your brand featured on the shirts of all ball boys and girls – high frequency brand exposure on and off camera.

Available from £2,000

Warm-Up Top Sponsor Branding on warm-up tops worn pre-match by all players.

8

National Schools Rugby Festival

Hosted at St Joseph’s College

9

10–11. Activation & Experience Merge and upgrade your current pages: Include: • Pitch-side branding • Livestream branding • Social media exposure • VIP hospitality • Networking opportunities This is where sponsors visualise how they show up

The VIP Experience

Sponsors and guests enjoy access to the exclusive VIP Marquee: • Prime viewing pitch side on Pitch 1 • Welcome breakfast & three-course lunch • Private bar with table service • Screens to view matches live from inside • A perfect space to host clients or reward team members

10

National Schools Rugby Festival

Pitch side Advertising Boards For the upcoming academic year 2026/2027 Strategic ad placement around the pitch

• Live-stream and in-person exposure all weekend • Digital & Physical Brand Exposure Available from £475

Hosted at St Joseph’s College

11

ADVERTISING BOARDS

ADVERT IN FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

VIP TICKETS**

EXCLUSIVE HOSPITALITY TENT

PITCH SPONSOR (Logo applied to pitches 1 &2)

SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS 2026/27

HEADLINE PARTNER Logo on front of shirt

4

Full Page & Back Page

10

TIER 1 Logo on shorts TIER 2 Logo on back of shirt TIER 3 Logo across shoulders TIER 4 Logo on sleeve

Full Page

DIGITAL SPONSOR

3 2 2 1 0

Full Page

4 4 4 4 4

BALL SPONSOR

0

Full Page

2

ADVERTISING BOARD

1

✗

✗

✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

✓ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗ ✗

Full Page Full Page Full Page

D £20,000 SOL £6,500 £6,000 £6,000 £2,000 £2,750 £1,500 £475

All sponsorships are subject to VAT

ADVERT IN FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

SHIRT FRONT Logo on front of shirt

2

Full Page

£1,500

SHIRT BACK Logo on back

1

Half Page

£1,500

SHIRT SLEEVE

1

Half Page

£500

ADVERTISING BOARD

1

LEVEL

+

GET INVOLVED

BRANDED CLOTHING

ADVERTISING BOARDS

* Headline Partnership also includes a watermark on all professional photos, sponsorship of the Festival shirt includes sponsorship on First XV match kit for 26/27 season. **VIP tickets include a three-course lunch. Advertising boards remain on-site for one academic year.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✗ ✗

£475

All sponsorships are subject to VAT

We’re honoured to host one of the UK’s premier school sporting festivals, where your partnership not only elevates your brand but also supports meaningful charity work and sustainability initiatives. By supporting the National Schools Rugby Festival hosted at St Joseph’s College, whether through sponsorship or attendance, you are investing in an event that brings together excellence, tradition and a commitment to a better future. Secure your brand’s position in one of the UK’s foremost school sporting events.

Contact us today: R.Gordon-Cocker@stjos.co.uk stjos.co.uk/rugbyfestival