The ECB and Wales cricket board are looking for new Test sponsors

Editorin Industry News

ecblogo.jpgFollowing England's successful Ashes campaign, the England and Wales Cricket Board can confirm it is able to invite interest from major brands interested in sponsoring men's and women's Test match cricket across England and Wales.

This title sponsorship opportunity is available for the first time since 2001 and for only the third time in 30 years. It covers a four-year period, from 2012 to 2015, during which time the men's team is scheduled to play a total of 27 home Test matches.

This will include two home Ashes series and a five-Test series against India. The England women's team is also due to face Australia in an Ashes contest during 2013.

John Perera, ECB commercial director, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for a major brand to be at the very heart of English cricket.

"Test match cricket attracts huge interest across the country and occupies a special place in our nation's culture - it has come to symbolise the very essence of an 'English' summer.

"The Lord's Test match is an established part of the summer 'season', whilst famous grounds around the country play host to annual fixtures that attract significant levels of public and media interest."

Over the course of the English domestic season, Sky Sports broadcasts over 190 hours of live Test coverage across the UK each summer, while a 45-minute highlights show on Channel Five ensures a reach across primetime terrestrial TV.

The radio rights continue to be owned by the BBC, whose Test Match Special is widely regarded as a British institution.

Internationally, the Ashes continues to grow in popularity, especially across South East Asia where it attracts an ever-growing TV audience.

With England the only country to host Test cricket during June, July and August, there is significant interest from overseas broadcasters, such as ESS, Fox Sports, Channel 9 and SuperSport, who are keen to satisfy an increasing demand from consumers across Asia, Australasia, the USA and Southern Africa to watch live cricket.

Published: 20/01/2011
Source: http://www.ecb.co.uk/ecb/about-ecb/media-releases/test-sponsorship,312974,EN.html

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