New sponsorship deal to see England’s top flight named Gallagher Premiership

(Photo: Getty Images)
By Adam Ellis
Premiership Rugby and American insurance firm Gallagher have finalised the title sponsorship deal that will see Aviva replaced.
Starting from next season the top division in England will be known as the Gallagher Premiership, a move Premiership Rugby chief executive Mark McCafferty said would continue the league's ‘international expansion'.
The Premiership's growing influence Stateside through US broadcaster NBC Sports and recent one-off matches like Saracens clash against London Irish in New York in 2016 have led to a deal being struck by the two parties with interests on both sides of the Atlantic.
“The last decade has seen major growth in Premiership Rugby's fan base and it is a huge credit to our clubs – and the way they have grown their businesses – that we can announce this new partnership today,” McCafferty said.
“The international expansion of Premiership Rugby has been accelerated in recent years and it is fitting that we are now partnering with a global company with an equally strong presence here in the UK. Gallagher will be an excellent partner for us in terms of the group's ambition, focus on growth and shared values around both business and the community.”
The 2018-19 season will get underway on 31 August and bring an end to Aviva's eight-year partnership with the Premiership.