LOG IN

European Sponsorship Association

the essential and inclusive community for all professionals working in sponsorship

  • Awards
    • ESA Awards
      • 2026 ESA Awards
        • 2026 Winners & Shortlist
        • ESA Best of Europe
        • Photos
        • Judges
        • Ceremony
        • FAQ & Dates
        • Rules of Entry
        • Categories
        • Partners
      • Previous ESA Awards
        • Previous Winners
        • Case Studies
        • Videos
    • ESA Fellowship
  • Resources
    • Case Studies
    • Research & Best Practice
    • ESA Sponsorship Market Overview
    • ESA Sponsorship Trends
    • Sustainable Sponsorship
    • Premium Resources (€)
    • Policy Papers
    • Event Catch-up
    • Suppliers
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
    • ESA Member Round Tables
  • Professional Development
    • Education
      • ESA Introduction to Sponsorship
      • ESA Sponsorship Diploma
      • ESA Sponsorship Sales Certificate
      • ESA Leaders Programme
    • Jobs
    • Careers advice
  • News
    • ESA News
    • Member News
    • Blogs
    • Annual Newsletter
  • Join ESA
    • Join ESA
    • Our Members
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • What We Do
    • Contact
AWARDS
  • 2026 ESA Awards
    • 2026 Winners & Shortlist
    • ESA Best of Europe
    • Photos
    • Judges
    • Ceremony
    • FAQ & Dates
    • Rules of Entry
    • Categories
    • Partners
  • Previous Awards
    • Previous Winners
    • Case Studies
    • Videos

Asahi “Rugby Like Never Before”

Rugby is built on tradition. So is beer. But sometimes, the things that make us proud — can hold us back. 

Asahi Super Dry — a beer brand that challenges convention — brought its progressive spirit to rugby. For too long, the women’s game was harder to find, harder to watch, and even harder to celebrate. Rugby Like Never Before set out to change that — not just how much of women’s rugby people saw, but how they saw it. And how they saw Asahi Super Dry: a brand redefining what a modern, progressive beer can stand for. 

We reimagined the women’s game through culture, partnering true rugby communities with World Number One Ellie Kildunne. Together, they became the face and voice of the campaign.

Black Girls Ruck took rugby into fashion, reimagining the iconic jersey for a new generation: bold, powerful, and proudly feminine. Set Piece Social, a queer-friendly collective, helped modernise pubs through our Pub Pledge, transforming 1,200 venues into inclusive viewing spaces. The World Rugby Podcast gave diverse voices a national platform. 

Then we cross-pollinated rugby with football, airing our hero film during the Women’s Euros and uniting fans across sport and culture. 

By empowering communities instead of speaking for them, we fostered genuine advocacy and belonging. Rugby Like Never Before has become the blueprint for future Asahi activations — proof that purpose and performance can coexist. 

More than metrics, our greatest achievement was shifting perception — transforming women’s rugby and beer from male-coded traditions into symbols of modern inclusion. 

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • ESA Code of Conduct

© 2026 European Sponsorship Association · Return to top · Log in