Rugby League World Cup 2017 (RLWC2017) have appointed Match Media to assist in the promotion of the tournament to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in late 2017.

Match specialises in media strategy and buying, digital planning and buying, search, social and analytics and is tasked with raising awareness of the RLWC2017 to deliver high levels of attendance at each game. 

Rohan Sawyer, General Manager Commercial and Marketing RLWC2017 said: “We were impressed with the Match team’s knowledge and enthusiasm for Rugby League as well as their ability to offer all the media services we needed under one roof.

“It’s the aim of the Rugby League World Cup 2017 organising committee to pack the stands with over 450,000 fans, which would be an event record, and we are confident that with the assistance of Match we will deliver a tournament that will Celebrate Rugby League, Inspire Communities and Entertain the World.”

The RLWC2017 will see 14 teams play 28 games in 13 cities over five weeks between 27 October and 2 December 2017 – all hoping to be crowned world cup winners in what is the pinnacle event in international Rugby League.  In addition to playing matches in Australia and New Zealand, there will be three pool matches played in Papua New Guinea in front of some of the world’s most passionate Rugby League fans. 

John Preston CEO of Match Media said: “We are thrilled to be part of the RLWC2017 team. It’s a huge event and a great brief to work on. Whilst the actual event is a long way off, the work to create the building blocks to deliver a successful event starts now, and we can’t wait to contribute to delivering a sell-out event.”

With 11 teams already confirmed, the final three teams will come from the European Qualifying Tournament to be played in October and November this year.  The teams who are still in the race include Wales, Ireland, Russia, Serbia, Italy and Spain.