A string of big brands have signed up for the return of the 2020 Toyota AFL Premiership on Foxtel, Foxtel NOW and Kayo Sports.
The advertising partners for Australia’s most-watched sport includes Chemist Warehouse, Ford, Harvey Norman, McDonald’s, NAB, Pointsbet, KFC, Sportsbet, Toyota, and Xero.
“Ford is a long-standing partner of the footy and like most Australian sports fans our weekends have not seemed the same without the AFL," says Kay Hart, president and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand.
"We're excited to continue our support of Foxtel's AFL coverage as the 2020 season gets back into gear."
The AFL will kick off Round Two with a clash between Collingwood and Richmond at the MCG on Thursday, June 11, at 740pm.
On Friday, June 12, Geelong faces Hawthorn at the GMHBA Stadium at 750pm with the remaining matches on Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14.
AFL is one of Australia’s most followed sports. The opening Round One match of the 2020 Season on March 19 between Richmond and Carlton attracted a live audience of 339,000 on FOX FOOTY.
With matches being played in front of empty stadiums, and the AFL having been on hold since round one, large audiences are expected, according to Fox Sports Sales and Brand Partnerships Director at Foxtel Media, Martin Medcraf.
"It’s clear that Australian’s have been starved of sport, and if the reaction to the NRL matches last weekend is anything to go by, we can expect the AFL to shatter all its viewing records,” he says.
“The NRL topped the ratings, with Fox League the top-ranking channel - reaching over 896,900 national viewers last Saturday.
"And brands who 'elbow in' on the action will not only be supporting the return of our much-loved sports, they’ll benefit from the 'back to normal”'bonus of consumer goodwill.
“Foxtel is the only place to watch all of the AFL games, all of the time, and we could not be more stoked to see the beautiful game back on the field."
Another brand welcoming back AFL to Australian screens is NAB, a partner of FOX FOOTY since its launch in 2012.
Thomas Dobson, general manager of planning, performance & partnerships at NAB, says the AFL is one of Australia’s most watched sports.
"Footy fans across the country have been on tenterhooks waiting for the game to return after lockdown," he says.
"Nothing says life is nearly back to normal more than watching your team back in the fray and kicking goals.
"We are so pleased to be in the line-up of brands supporting the revival of the AFL 2020 premiership - and look forward to having the footy back on Aussie screens."
The brands with the NRL Telstra Premiership, which resumed last week, on Foxtel include Ladbrokes, TAB, eBay, Sportsbet, McDonald’s, KFC, Harvey Norman, Ford, Chemist Warehouse, Bundaberg Rum, Bailey Ladders and KingGee Workwear.
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