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.
ESA Best of Europe is sponsored by SPONSORIUM.
2025 ESA Best of Europe Nominees
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
GOLD WINNER: Ireland – Marketing Institute Ireland AIM Awards 2024 – Entertainment Sponsorship Award
An Post Irish Book Awards: “Centre Stage”
BRONZE WINNER: Netherlands – Stichting SponsorRingen
Philips & PSV Eindhoven & Sanquin. Bloedverwanten (Blood Relatives)
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
SILVER WINNER: United Kingdom – UK Sponsorship Awards: Sponsorship of the Year
Google Pixel: Pixel FC
2024 ESA Best of Europe Nominees
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
GOLD WINNER: Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards [AIM Awards], Sponsorship Management Award (Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII))
Irish Life Dublin Marathon
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
SILVER WINNER: Spain – Mejor Estrategia de Patrocinio (Asociación Española de Marketing)
Espacio Ibercaja Delicias
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (SES – Sponsrings & Eventsverige)
The Great Reading Challenge / Den stora läsutmaningen
BRONZE WINNER: United Kingdom – Sponsorship of the Year (UK Sponsorship Awards 2023)
Heineken – Cheers to all fans
ESA Best of Europe GOLD winners 2024 from Ireland
2023 ESA Best of Europe Nominees and Winners sponsored by SPONSORIUM
Belgium – Best of Belgium (Golazo Consulting)
Prove Impossible Wrong
BRONZE WINNER: Denmark – Spot:On Activation Awards (Spot:On)
Made By Denmark
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
SILVER WINNER: Slovenia – SPORTO Sponsorship Award (Slovenian Marketing Association)
Laško and Slovenian Olympic Committee: “Mission: Glacier”
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
GOLD WINNER: United Kingdom – Sponsorship of the Year (UK Sponsorship Awards 2022)
eBay x EFL – Small Businesses United
ESA Best of Europe BRONZE winners 2023 from Slovenia
2022 ESA Best of Europe Nominees and 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
GOLD WINNER: Strong Tailwind
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
SILVER WINNER: Eco Explorers Club
Norway – Best Campagne (Sponsor og eventforeningen)
Action Now
Russia – Russian Sponsorship Awards
Russian Hub at CYBATHLON 2020
Slovenia – SPORTO Sponsorship Award (SPORTO Awards)
SILVER WINNER: Lidl Slovenia x Slovenian Paralympic Committee: I’m missing nothing
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
BRONZE WINNER: France – Sponsor of the Year 2020 (Sporsora)
Jeep ELITE naming, French basketball championship
SILVER WINNER: Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
Team Of Us
GOLD WINNER: Norway – Best Campagne (Sponsor og eventforeningen)
“Practice makes perfect” by Gjensidige
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
GOLD WINNER: Denmark – Spot:On Awards (Spot:On Club)
The Sydbank Cup: The 99% Broadcast
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
SILVER WINNER: Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
Aldi Play Rugby
Norway – Best Campagne (Sponsor og eventforeningen)
“Norway wins – you win” – by Telenor
BRONZE WINNER: Slovenia – SPORTO Awards (Marketing Association of Slovenia)
Petrol’s winning service
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 Nominees / Winners
sponsored by SPONSORIUM
Belgium – Best of Belgium (Sportizon)
Continental Cycling Heroes Tour
Croatia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference)
beST – be Stronger Together
BRONZE WINNER: Denmark – SPOT:ON Awards
YouSee eSport League – Denmark’s eSport league
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
SILVER WINNER: Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
Bord Gáis Energy #HurlingToTheCore
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
GOLD WINNER: Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet [Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards] (SES Sponsrings och eventsverige)
Join Us Outdoors!
United Kingdom – UK Sponsorship Awards
NatWest Cricket has no boundaries. We think that’s worth protecting
2017 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)
GOLD WINNER: Telenor Gold SIM
Serbia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
Piraeus Bank sponsorship of the Serbian Basketball Association
Slovenia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
BRONZE WINNER: Laško x NK Maribor
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards)
SILVER WINNER: SILVA sponsoring history’s greatest adventure
United Kingdom – UK Sponsorship Awards
Samsung School of Rio and Step into Rio
2016 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)
BRONZE WINNER: Allianz – The missing piece
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)
GOLD WINNER: McDonald’s – a little too proud sponsor
The Netherlands – SponsorRing (SponsorRingen Foundation in cooperation with BBP media)
Amsterdam City Swim, powered by Dove Men + Care
United Kingdom – UK Sponsorship Awards
SILVER WINNER: O2 Wear the Rose
2015 Nominees / Winners
Belgium – Belgian Sponsorship Awards (VAAV Communication)
BRONZE WINNER: ING – Mons European Capital of Europe 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)
BRONZE WINNER: Mercedes-Benz – “Bereit wie nie” (ready as never before)
Ireland – All Ireland Marketing Awards (Marketing Institute of Ireland)
SuperValu’s We Believe – GAA
Serbia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
SILVER WINNER: Frikom Basket Project – Basketball
Slovenia – SPORTO Awards (SPORTO Conference & Slovenian Marketing Association)
Frutabela Lab – Cycling
Sweden – Gyllene Hjulet (Swedish Event & Sponsorship Awards)
GOLD WINNER: Tele2 Sweden – A world class Arena
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 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.
