Rahul SahaHere are the official sponsors for this year’s Wimbledon Championships. Let’s take a look at the partnerships that grant these companies branding rights across the tournament’s physical and digital assets.
Official Suppliers
Slazenger
The Shirebrook-headquartered sports equipment manufacturer has been the Official Supplier of tennis balls to The Championships since 1902, in what is regarded as one of longest partnerships in sporting history.
Working with Loughborough University, Slazenger ensures it maintains the highest of standards with each ball supplied to the tournament every year. Apart from balls, Slazenger is also the supplier of umpire chairs, nets and canvas.
The two parties last renewed their partnership in June 2015.
IBM (International Business Machines)
The Armonk, New York-headquartered American tech giant has been the Official Information Technology Partner of The Championships and the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club (AELTC) since 1990.
IBM works with the AELTC to provide mobile and digital solutions, which include real-time statistics and unique fan experiences.
The two last extended their partnership in a long-term agreement in June 2020.
Also read: IBM brings generative AI commentary and analysis to Wimbledon
Lanson
Founded in 1760, the Reims-based Champagne brand has been associated with The Championships since 1977 and serves as the Official Champagne partner of the tournament since 2001.
The deal sees Lanson’s offerings made available throughout the tournament, with exclusive Wimbledon-themed bottles also released periodically.
The two parties last renewed their partnership in a five-year agreement in July 2018.
Ralph Lauren
The New York-headquartered American fashion company has been the Official Outfitter of all of Wimbledon’s on-court officials since 2006, with the line umpires donning navy blazers and cream-coloured trousers and the ball persons wearing navy polos and sporty skirts or shorts.
The partnership also facilitates periodic releases of exclusive Wimbledon-themed clothing ranges around every iteration of The Championships.
Evian
The Évian-les-Bains-sourced French mineral water brand has been the Official Water of Wimbledon since 2008.
The deal sees Evian’s products supplied to the fans, players and staff throughout the tournament.
The two parties last renewed their partnership in July 2017.
Lavazza
The Turin-headquartered Italian coffee brand has served as the Official Coffee to The Championships since 2011.
The deal sees Lavazza’s coffee machines installed across various venues throughout the tournament, be it bars, restaurants, corporate hospitality areas, media work rooms, or areas reserved for players and staff.
Wimbledon and Lavazza last renewed their partnership in July 2022.
Jaguar Land Rover
The Tata Motors-owned, Whitney-headquartered British luxury automobile company has served as the Official Car Partner to Wimbledon since 2015.
The deal sees Jaguar supply a fleet of over 17 vehicles for event operations throughout the course of the tournament. The two also collaborate over several marketing campaigns and digital fan experiences to keep the viewers informed and engaged.
Pimm’s
The Diageo-owned English gin-based fruit cup brand has served as an Official Partner of Wimbledon since 2017.
Already a summertime preference of the English people, the many Pimm’s products have become available across Wimbledon’s many venues—both in-ground and elsewhere—under this partnership.
American Express (Amex)
The New York-headquartered financial services corporation was announced as the Official Payment Partner of Wimbledon in July 2018 in a deal that kicked off in 2019.
Apart from providing payment services for all Wimbledon-related activities, the deal also sees Amex customers enjoy an abundance of exclusive discounts and fan experience opportunities throughout the tournament.
OPPO
The Dongguan-headquartered Chinese consumer electronics and mobile communications company became the first Asian partner and also the first Official Smartphone Partner of the Wimbledon Championships in April 2019.
The five-year deal sees OPPO’s products put up on display throughout the tournament, with its latest camera phones also employed to capture footage of the action, with the best photos being utilised in activations by Wimbledon.
OPPO also sponsors the Breakthrough Award, which is given to the young players who go on to have a major coming-of-age tournament.
Sipsmith
In September 2020, the AELTC announced that Sipsmith would become the first-ever Official Gin Partner of The Championships in a multi-year deal that would commence with the tournament’s 2021 edition.
The deal sees the Beam Suntory-owned, London-based microbrewery’s products supplied throughout the tournament. To commemorate the beginning of the deal, Sipsmith also launched a limited-edition Wimbledon-themed gin, with many more co-branded products and experiences to follow in the years to come.
Vodafone
The Berkshire-headquartered british telecom company was announced as the Official Connectivity Partner of Wimbledon and the AELTC in January 2022.
Apart from branding rights, the partnership entails Vodafone using its 5G connectivity as well as AR, VR and IoT tech to enhance the Wimbledon experience for the fans.
Vodafone has also been working with the AELTC and the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) to develop a new grassroots competition.
British tennis stars Tim Henman and Laura Robson have also served as Vodafone brand ambassadors as part of the deal.
Babolat
Babolat is a Lyon-based French sports racquet and accessories company which joined forces with Wimbledon as an official supplier of tennis shoes in 2013.
Nearly a decade later, in 2022, following a successful ten-year licensing agreement, Babolat upgraded its sponsorship agreement with the AELTC to become the Official Partner of Tennis Rackets, Strings, Bags and Shoes for Wimbledon.
As part of the deal, Babolat designs official rackets, bags and footwear for the event as part of a limited-edition collection available to fans globally. Its stringing service sees a team of international experts prepare the rackets of the top men’s and women’s players.
Barclays
Barclays, a London-based British multinational universal bank announced the signing of a multi-year partnership deal with the Wimbledon Championships in November 2022. As per the deal, Barclays became the official banking partner of the Championships, starting with its 2023 edition.
The deal entails Barclays donating an annual contribution to the Wimbledon Foundation, which is the official charity of the Club and the Championships.
This isn’t the first time the two iconic British institutions have come together. Their first partnership dates back to the 1960s, when the first sub-branch of the bank was built directly below the Centre Court of Wimbledon.
Stella Artois
Stella Artois is a Belgian pilsner beer, first brewed in 1926 by Brouwerij Artois in Leuven. It is owned by Interbrew International BV, which is a subsidiary of the world’s largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV.
The partnership between Stella Artois and Wimbledon began in 2011, when Stella Artois became the official beer and cider partner of the tournament. Since then, the brand has been a fixture at the historic AELTC each year.
Shinai Sports
Shinai Sports is a Beijing-based sports content marketing media platform. The company provides sports content marketing, all-media sports culture communication services, sports copyright distribution, and other services. Shinai Sports’ services are only exclusive to China.
Shinai Sports’ iQIYI Sports platform has exclusively broadcasted The Championships since 2019 and continues to collaborate with Wimbledon to market the event in China. In June 2023, the AELTC announced the renewal of its partnership agreement with Shinai Sports, which has led to the latter retaining its exclusive digital media rights in China for 2023-24.
Other Associates
Rolex
The Geneva-headquartered Swiss luxury watch manufacturer has been the Official Timekeeper of the Wimbledon Championships since 1978.
The deal includes Rolex providing on-court timepieces throughout the tournament, while also including a licence for limited-edition Wimbledon-themed Rolex watches.
Keith Prowse
The London-headquartered hospitality services provider’s association with the AELTC dates back to 1982.
Keith Prowse was announced as Wimbledon’s exclusive official hospitality provider in October 2017 with the extension of an initial five-year deal that would kick in from 2019. To commemorate the extension, Keith Prowse committed itself to working with the Wimbledon Foundation and its causes by donating £5 from each guest booking at The Championships.
Also read: IMG extends Wimbledon partnership
