The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) works closely with its partners to deliver a special Best of Europe award that draws together national sponsorship winners from a host of countries across Europe.
As one of the most prestigious awards to win, ESA Best of Europe is by invitation only and an independent panel of European experts judges the campaign entries, already crowned as winners in their own countries.
2026 ESA Best of Europe Nominees
Finland – SPOT Awards – Sponsorointi ja Tapahtumat Ry
Flow Festival Fine-Dine by Oatly + Kozeen
France – Trophées Sporsora du Marketing Sportif
EDF X Paris 2024 – The Moment to Shine SILVER WINNER 2026
Ireland – All-Ireland Marketing Awards: Entertainment Sponsorship Award – MII
Lovely Summer for a Guinness GOLD WINNER 2026
Netherlands – SponsorRingen
Samsung ShotControl BRONZE WINNER 2026
Norway – Sponsor- og eventforeningen
Together against cancer – Coop & Kreftforeningen
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (SES – Sponsrings & Eventsverige)
SJ – a part of Way Out West
United Kingdom – UK Sponsorship Awards: Sponsorship of the Year
Metro Bank Champion of Women’s and Girls’ Cricket
2025 ESA Best of Europe Nominees & Winners
sponsored by SPONSORIUM
Belgium – Belgian Sponsorship Awards
Soudal T-Rex Vuelta Activation
Denmark – Spot:On Activation Awards
Škoda x Tour de France “Close to the Tour”
Finland – SPOT Awards – Vuoden Sposorointiteko
Vattenfall x HAVU – It’s Always Good #GamingWeather
France – Sporsora
Renault x Roland-Garros : Spreading the French spirit worldwide
Ireland – Marketing Institute Ireland AIM Awards 2024 – Entertainment Sponsorship Award
An Post Irish Book Awards: “Centre Stage” GOLD WINNER 2025
Netherlands – Stichting SponsorRingen
Philips & PSV Eindhoven & Sanquin. Bloedverwanten (Blood Relatives) BRONZE WINNER 2025
Norway – The Norwegian Sponsor and Event Award 2024
Girls Want More – Sparebanken Vest
Serbia – SPORTO Sponsorship Award | Serbia
JAFFA CAKES OLYMPIC TEAM SPONSORSHIP
Slovenia – SPORTO SPONSORSHIP AWARD
Hisense: More Than a Brand
United Kingdom – UK Sponsorship Awards: Sponsorship of the Year
Google Pixel: Pixel FC SILVER WINNER 2025
ESA Best of Europe BRONZE winners 2025 from the Netherlands
2024 ESA Best of Europe Nominees & Winners
sponsored by SPONSORIUM
Belgium – Best of Belgium at SponsorLive (Golazo Consulting)
Hotel mama by Ethias
Denmark – Spot:On Activation Awards (Spot:On Club)
Škoda BørneTour
France – Sponsor de l’Année (Sporsora)
EDF & Paris 2024: organising the most responsible Olympic Games in History
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards [AIM Awards], Sponsorship Management Award (Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII))
Irish Life Dublin Marathon GOLD WINNER 2024
Netherlands – Stichting SponsorRingen (SponsorRingen)
Bijzondere Eredivisie – VriendenLoterij en Stichting Het Gehandicapte Kind
Norway – Sponsor- and Event Awards 2024
Gjensidige – Social sustainability for a better society
Spain – Mejor Estrategia de Patrocinio (Asociación Española de Marketing)
Espacio Ibercaja Delicias SILVER WINNER 2024
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (SES – Sponsrings & Eventsverige)
The Great Reading Challenge / Den stora läsutmaningen
United Kingdom – Sponsorship of the Year (UK Sponsorship Awards 2023)
Heineken – Cheers to all fans BRONZE WINNER 2024
ESA Best of Europe GOLD winners 2024 from Ireland
2023 ESA Best of Europe Nominees & Winners
sponsored by SPONSORIUM
Belgium – Best of Belgium (Golazo Consulting)
Prove Impossible Wrong
Denmark – Spot:On Activation Awards (Spot:On)
Made By Denmark BRONZE WINNER 2023
Special mention: Finland – Vuoden sponsorointiteko [Sponsorship act of the year] (Sponsorointi & Tapahtumat ry)
IDEAPARK & CLASSIC: Sports entertainment in the middle of a shopping centre
France – Sponsor de l’année (Sporsora)
Pacte Utile Caisse d’Epargne
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards [AIM Awards], Sponsorship Management Award (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
Guinness Never Settle
Netherlands – Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix (SponsorRingen)
Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix
Norway – «Årets Idrettssponsor» / The sportssponsorship of the year “DNB – «DNB and Para-sport» [with a focus on VM in Snowsports]” (Sponsor- og Eventforeningen)
DNB World Para Snow Sports Championship
Slovenia – SPORTO Sponsorship Award (Slovenian Marketing Association)
Laško and Slovenian Olympic Committee: “Mission: Glacier” SILVER WINNER 2023
Spain – PREMIOS NACIONALES DE MARKETING ESPAÑA (SPANISH MARKETING ASSOCIATION)
MOVISTAR TEAM, WE’RE MORE THAN A CYCLING TEAM
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (SES – Sponsrings & Eventsverige)
Night Rider
Switzerland – Sponsoring Excellence Award 2022 [Special price for Pioneership] (SPONSORING SCHWEIZ)
AXA Women’s Super League
United Kingdom – Sponsorship of the Year (UK Sponsorship Awards 2022)
eBay x EFL – Small Businesses United GOLD WINNER 2023
ESA Best of Europe BRONZE winners 2023 from Slovenia
2022 ESA Best of Europe Nominees & Winners
sponsored by SPONSORIUM
Our 2022 nominees were chosen from the top Sponsorship award winners from seven participating European countries – congratulations to all of you!
Belgium – Belgian Sponsorship Awards
ING Sponsoring Activation “Manager of the Year 2019”
Finland – SPOT – Sponsorointi ja Tapahtumat ry – Vuoden sponsorointiteko 2021
Strong Tailwind GOLD WINNER 2022
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
Eco Explorers Club SILVER WINNER 2022
Norway – Best Campagne (Sponsor og eventforeningen)
Action Now
Russia – Russian Sponsorship Awards
Russian Hub at CYBATHLON 2020
Slovenia – SPORTO Sponsorship Award (SPORTO Awards)
Lidl Slovenia x Slovenian Paralympic Committee: I’m missing nothing SILVER WINNER 2022
Spain – Asociación de Marketing de España
Iberdrola. Empowering women through sports
2021 ESA Best of Europe Nominees & Winners
sponsored by SPONSORIUM
The 2021 winners were announced at our virtual ceremony Night Two, live streamed on 25 February. See the video here.
Belgium – Belgian Sponsorship Awards
Brussels Ketjep & RSC Anderlecht: Sauce Mauve
Denmark – SPOT:ON Activation Award – Grand Prix (SPOT:ON Club)
Climate Summit in Minecraft – Microsoft, BIG – Bjarke Ingels Group and Copenhagen City
Finland – SPOT – Sponsorointi ja Tapahtumat ry – Vuoden sponsorointiteko 2020
Nordea – Don’t let money break you
France – Sponsor of the Year 2020 (Sporsora)
Jeep ELITE naming, French basketball championship BRONZE WINNER 2021
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
Team Of Us SILVER WINNER 2021
Norway – Best Campagne (Sponsor og eventforeningen)
“Practice makes perfect” by Gjensidige GOLD WINNER 2021
Serbia – SPORTO Sponsorship Award (SPORTO Awards)
Circle of Support, Vojvodjanska banka, OTP Group
Slovenia – SPORTO Sponsorship Award (SPORTO Awards)
THE RUNNING HEART
Spain – Asociación de Marketing de España
Santander Football sponsorship Strategy: “Football Can”
2020 ESA Best of Europe Nominees & Winners
sponsored by SPONSORIUM
Belgium – Belgian Sponsorship Awards (SponsorLive Conference and Awards)
Red, the official mascot of the Belgian Red Devils powered by ING
Croatia – SPORTO Awards (Marketing Association of Slovenia)
Allianz ParaBOX
Denmark – Spot:On Awards (Spot:On Club)
The Sydbank Cup: The 99% Broadcast GOLD WINNER 2020
France – Sponsorship of the Year (Trophées SPORSORA)
Accélérateur by Hyundai
Hungary – Sportmarketing Award (Hungarian Marketing Association)
Magnosolv Sport product launch campaing onto the Hungarian market
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
Aldi Play Rugby SILVER WINNER 2020
Norway – Best Campagne (Sponsor og eventforeningen)
“Norway wins – you win” – by Telenor
Slovenia – SPORTO Awards (Marketing Association of Slovenia)
Petrol’s winning service BRONZE WINNER 2020
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (SES Sponsrings & Eventsverige)
Home Swede Home by Svenska Spel & Jung Relations
United Kingdom – Sponsorship of the Year (UK Sponsorship Awards 2019)
evian Live Young at Wimbledon 2018
The 2020 ESA Best of Europe Award, comprising bronze, silver and gold trophies, was presented at our ESA Awards Ceremony in London on 26th February 2020. See all the winners here.
2019 ESA Best of Europe Nominees & Winners
sponsored by SPONSORIUM
Belgium – Best of Belgium (Sportizon)
Continental Cycling Heroes Tour
Croatia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference)
beST – be Stronger Together
Denmark – SPOT:ON Awards
YouSee eSport League – Denmark’s eSport league BRONZE WINNER 2019
Finland – Vuoden Sponsorointiteko [Finnish Sponsorship Awards] (Sponsorointi & Tapahtumamarkkinointi ry [Sponsorship & Event Marketing Association])
Alepa Bikes
France – Sponsor of the year (Trophées Sporsora)
Lidl France, fan of French handball
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
Bord Gáis Energy #HurlingToTheCore SILVER WINNER 2019
Norway – Sponsor and Event Award (Sponsor og Eventforeningen [The Norwegian Sponsor and Event Association])
The North Face and BERRE Communication Agency
Russia – Russian Sponsorship Awards
BeelineUP for Beeline
Slovenia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference)
Gorenje SIMPLYFANS
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet [Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards] (SES Sponsrings och eventsverige)
Join Us Outdoors! GOLD WINNER 2019
United Kingdom – UK Sponsorship Awards
NatWest Cricket has no boundaries. We think that’s worth protecting
2017 ESA Best of Europe Nominees & Winners
Croatia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
Motivate (PoKRENI)
Finland – Finnish Sponsorship Awards (Sponsorship & Event Marketing Association)
Neste & Freestyle snowboarder Antti Autti
Germany – ISA (International Sponsoring Award) / FASPO (Fachverband für Sponsoring-Agenturen und Dienstleister)
DKB-Livestream of the Handball World Cup 2017
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
Vodafone Ireland Irish Rugby #TeamOfUs
Norway – Sponsor og Eventforeningen (Sponsor and Event Award)
Telenor Gold SIM GOLD WINNER 2017
Serbia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
Piraeus Bank sponsorship of the Serbian Basketball Association
Slovenia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
Laško x NK Maribor BRONZE WINNER 2017
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards)
SILVA sponsoring history’s greatest adventure SILVER WINNER 2017
United Kingdom – UK Sponsorship Awards
Samsung School of Rio and Step into Rio
2016 ESA Best of Europe Nominees & Winners
Our ESA Best of Europe Gold Award is sponsored by SPORTO Magazine
Belgium – The Belgian Sponsorship Awards
ING Players Escort
Croatia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
Allianz – The missing piece BRONZE WINNER 2016
Finland – Finnish Sponsorship Awards (Sponsorship & Event Marketing Association)
Veikkaus & Apulanta cooperation
France – “Sponsor of the Year” (Sporsora)
AccorHotels Arena
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
Vodafone Centre Stage
Russia – Russian Sponsorship Awards (Russian Sponsorship Forum)
Okroshka Festival “Family secret”
Serbia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
We are the team! Olympic Card Rio 2016 (Vojvodjanska banka, part of NBG group)
Slovenia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
Together in a Battle: Paralympic athletes and Lidl Slovenija
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards)
McDonald’s – a little too proud sponsor GOLD WINNER 2016
The Netherlands – SponsorRing (SponsorRingen Foundation in cooperation with BBP media)
Amsterdam City Swim, powered by Dove Men + Care
United Kingdom – UK Sponsorship Awards
O2 Wear the Rose SILVER WINNER 2016
2015 ESA Best of Europe Nominees & Winners
Belgium – Belgian Sponsorship Awards (VAAV Communication)
ING – Mons European Capital of Europe 2015 BRONZE WINNER 2015
Croatia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
GRAWE Hrvatska d.d. – PoKRENI (to activate)
Finland – Finnish Sponsorship Awards (Sponsorship & Event Marketing Association)
Sinebrychoff – Two Strong Reds – United Brand Power
Germany – ISA (International Sponsoring Award) / FASPO (Fachverband für Sponsoring-Agenturen und Dienstleister)
Mercedes-Benz – “Bereit wie nie” (ready as never before) BRONZE WINNER 2015
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
SuperValu’s We Believe – GAA
Serbia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
Frikom Basket Project – Basketball SILVER WINNER 2015
Slovenia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
Frutabela Lab – Cycling
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards)
Tele2 Sweden – A world class Arena GOLD WINNER 2015
Switzerland – ISA (International Sponsoring Award) / FASPO (Fachverband für Sponsoring-Agenturen und Dienstleister)
Zürich – Swiss Moments
The Netherlands – SponsorRing (Stichting SponsorRingen)
Jumbo Supermarkten – Let’s celebrate Christmas together
2014 ESA Best of Europe Winners
2014’s gold winner was KPN from The Netherlands (Olympic speed skating campaign), with Ireland’s Liberty Insurance campaign (GAA All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship) taking silver and Belgium’s AB Inbev (Jupiler & Red Devils ‘We Are Ready’ World Cup) campaign receiving bronze.
