Expo 2020 Dubai signs on as principal sponsor for IPL team Rajasthan Royals

The 2021 season of the Indian Premier League is just a few days away and all the teams are hard at work getting ready for the mega event. Last year’s bottom of the table team Rajasthan Royals has announced a new sponsor for the upcoming season – Expo 2020 Dubai.

Expo 2020 Dubai will appear on the front of the Rajasthan Royals jersey with the aim of publicising the big expo, scheduled to be held from October 1, 2021 to March 21, 2022, to people around the world. 

“To support this incredible event in bringing together some of the brightest and most inquisitive minds to seek solutions to the world’s greatest challenges, is something that resonates extremely strongly with us. We hope this partnership will excite, inspire and bring many long-lasting positive relationships to benefit society more broadly," said Jake Lush McCrum, chief operating officer, Rajasthan Royals.

The Expo is expected to attract more than 190 nations and millions of people from across the globe to Dubai. It is the first world expo to take place in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.

“The international reach of the tournament is a powerful vehicle for increasing awareness of Expo 2020 Dubai as we count down to our opening on 1 October," said Sholto Douglas-Home, chief sales and marcomms officer, Expo 2020 Dubai.

Expo 2020 Dubai had signed on with the Royals in a similar deal last year, however the association was called off due to the expo being postponed due to COVID-19.

The IPL broke viewership records during the 2020 season, which was held in the UAE due to the coronavirus pandemic, with over 550 million viewers. Millions of cricket fans from around the world are expected to watch this season as well. 

India is a key visitation market for Expo 2020 Dubai, which will also feature an India pavilion.