Cider brand Magners has agreed a two-year extension to its sponsorship of UK and Ireland rugby union competition the Magners League. The new deal will see the sponsorship through until May 2011.
The deal was agreed between Magners and Celtic Rugby, the organiser of the league which features teams from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Magners is currently in its third season as title sponsor. Celtic Rugby has confirmed a new play-off format for the end of the league season, to be introduced in 2009-10.
David Jordan, director of Celtic Rugby, said, “In the three years since Magners have come on board we have seen a dramatic increase in attendances at matches and a substantial improvement in the competitiveness and attractiveness of our tournament.”
Attendances at Magners League matches so far this season are up 21 per cent on the previous season, with 481,000 people in total buying tickets for the 60 matches played to date. The average league attendance has increased from 5,194 in 2005-06 to 6,791 last season, and currently stands at 8,020 for this season, with six rounds still to play.
