DHL becomes World Rugby’s Official Logistics Partner

DHL and World Rugby have announced that DHL will be the Official Logistics Partner and a Worldwide Partner of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

As part of the partnership, DHL is teaming up with one of the biggest international sporting events, which will take place in host country Japan from the 20th of September to the 2nd of November 2019.

"We are very excited to be continuing our longstanding, successful partnership with the game of Rugby including again being involved in the premier event of such a dynamically growing sport," said Ken Allen, CEO, DHL Express.

"We are also thrilled that it is breaking new ground in Japan, a country with the fourth largest population of rugby players in the world and with great potential to inspire a new generation of Rugby fans with its performances both on and off the pitch. DHL has operated in Japan for forty five years and has built up an unrivalled network in the country.

“We can't wait to share all the passion and enjoyment that Rugby embodies with our customers, employees and the broader Rugby family in Japan and around the world over the next two and a half years."

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont said: "We are delighted to be extending our long-standing and highly-successful partnership with DHL, the express and logistics global leader. More than a commercial partner, DHL is a world class logistics operator and in an event where success hinges on the details, we know that we have the best possible partner."

The partnership between DHL and Rugby World Cup 2019 continues a longstanding relationship between DHL and the sport. As the Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, DHL was responsible for transporting Tournament and team equipment from around the world to locations across England.

DHL delivered over 48 tons of team freight, 1,400 official match balls, and 20 sets of uprights to the 13 match venues, and also delivered over 400,000 tickets to more than 160 countries. DHL was Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand and Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.

DHL also supports grassroots rugby across the world, at various levels. The support ranges from logistics services, sponsorship, coaching clinics with DHL ambassadors and in-kind volunteering support from DHL employees, who commit their time to run community programs and help with administering clubs.