Kappa, the renowned Italian sportswear brand synonymous with iconic sporting apparel, has announced its return to sport partnerships in the UK. Recognizing the potential in the global rugby market to blend cultural styles through product and community, Kappa has unveiled an agreement as the Official Supplier Partner to the BKT United Rugby Championship (URC) match officials, supplying their kit starting from the 2023-24 season.

The URC is a prestigious professional rugby union competition featuring teams from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, and South Africa. Known for its high level of play and nurturing future stars, this global club competition boasts the highest number of international players among all leagues. Kappa, renowned for its stylish and functional sportswear, has collaborated with top names in sports such as Juventus, Stade Français, Barcelona, Aston Villa, Alpine Racing, and Napoli.

The design of the 23/24 match officials’ kits draws inspiration from the URC’s core brand values, aiming to showcase unity in the game while embracing individuality. Kappa’s rich DNA of creativity and non-conformity aligns synergistically with the URC’s exciting styles, cultures, languages, and identities. As the teamwear brand for the URC, Kappa will develop apparel collections tailored to the league’s personnel, ensuring comfort, distinct recognition, and durability to withstand the various weather conditions encountered in this cross-hemisphere league.

Mark Ward, Kappa UK Brand Director, expressed, “This partnership is a significant milestone for Kappa UK, and we are privileged to collaborate with the United Rugby Championship. We are committed to providing the URC with the finest sportswear, and we eagerly anticipate seeing our kits on the field next season. We are excited about how this partnership between Kappa and the United Rugby Championship will propel the game forward, both in terms of the brand and the community.”

Martin Anayi, CEO of the United Rugby Championship, commented, “We believe that the URC showcases the most captivating new brand in rugby, with a richness that befits the excitement and diversity of our league. Kappa has a knack for blending heritage with modern design, and we are eager to witness their application of this approach to our match officials’ kit. Given their track record of working with renowned sports entities, we are confident that our referees and match officials will not only look good but also wear kit with a proven history of supporting elite performance.”

This thrilling partnership underscores the identified growth prospects within rugby while reflecting Kappa UK’s commitment to excellence and innovation in team sport. As the instantly recognizable brand sets its sights on seizing opportunities, this announcement marks the beginning of numerous developments in the UK market.

Kappa Rugby URC