Broadcaster Foxtel has revealed its partner and sponsor line-up for the 2026 NRL season.
New sponsors include Red Bull, Bunnings, Club 4x4 Insurance and Youi, while returning brands include Westpac, AAMI, McDonald's, Chemist Warehouse, Sportsbet, Aussie Broadband, Harvey Norman, KFC, Ford, Toyota and Ashley & Martin.
Thirty-nine per cent of opening round advertisers are new to the network, with niche advertisers reporting a 154% uplift in ad recall over the 2025 season, according to Foxtel. Established brands posted a 12% increase in brand perception and 7% growth in consideration over the same period.
Foxtel has also expanded its programmatic inventory, with regional and niche brands including GlanEry (VIC), Vital Strength (NSW), Montgomery Homes (NSW), Bank WAW (WA), Funlab (VIC) and Toscano's Authentic (VIC) among those entering the game.
"Foxtel invests $1 billion in sports rights and production each year, which is why we are seeing a surge of new brands joining alongside our long-term partners," said Nev Hasan, chief sales officer at Foxtel Media.
The network has also introduced Fox AI across all Fox League coverage this season, in partnership with Red Bull. The technology will deliver real-time player analysis and data-driven insights across live matches, pre- and post-game shows, Sunday Night with Matty Johns and Fox League's social and editorial platforms.
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