- Another record-breaking entry results in shortlist packed with quality
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Sponsorship category proves popular
- Pearlfinders announced as Headline Sponsor of 2025 ESA Awards
Europe’s most prestigious sponsorship awards is shaping up to be a celebration of creativity, cooperative synergy and inclusivity after the shortlist was released for the 2025 ESA Awards in partnership with Pearlfinders.
For the second consecutive year, a record number of entries has underscored the value and prestige of winning an ESA Award, with a 17% increase from 2024 to 2025 resulting in a shortlist that is packed with quality and variety.
The ceremony will take place on 13 March 2025 at The Brewery in London, and tables and tickets can now be purchased with an early bird discount available until 3 January.
Following another surge of entries in purpose-based categories such as Sponsorship with a Social Purpose, the addition of an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in Sponsorship category has helped to make the 2025 ESA Awards more representative, with an impressive 15 entries shortlisted.
The shortlist puts brands, rights holders and agencies from eight countries – Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland and the UK – in the running for recognition, with the ESA Best of Europe nominees still to come.
The annual ESA Awards, with entries stretching across multiple markets and more than 50 industry sectors, provides a panoramic view of the sponsorship industry and demonstrates the power of partnerships in delivering on business objectives.
ESA Chair Sophie Morris said: “Another record-breaking response to the ESA Awards demonstrates the vibrancy of our industry, and I’m delighted that the 2025 edition will recognise exceptional work not only across multiple disciplines but in the vital area of equality, diversity and inclusion in sponsorship.
“The addition of the new EDI category helps to underpin ESA’s mission as the essential and inclusive community for all professionals working in sponsorship. The record number of entries illustrates the cachet of winning an ESA award and the 2025 shortlist is replete with high-quality, innovative work. We are delighted to have Pearlfinders as Headline Sponsor of the 2025 ESA Awards.
“My message to the sponsorship community today is simple: it’s time to congratulate yourselves on a job well done, and don’t wait too long to secure your tickets, as we are expecting another sell-out. I can’t wait to celebrate all of your achievements with you on 13 March.”
Pearlfinders CEO & Co-Founder Denese Colbourne said: “Pearlfinders is proud to be named Headline Sponsor of the 2025 ESA Awards. Our all-new, dedicated Sport & Entertainment solution enables many of Europe’s most successful rights holders and agencies to generate more sponsorship revenue faster.
“We look forward to supporting the members of ESA’s community for professionals working in sponsorship for many years to come.”
The ESA Awards is renowned for its rigorous judging, and more than 100 senior sponsorship and marketing professionals from 14 countries met across 12 groups this week to discuss the merits of the various entries.
ESA would like to thank the event sponsors whose contribution is vital to the delivery of the 2025 ESA Awards: Pearlfinders, Sponsorium, caytoo, datapowa, NoTurningBack2020, Sponsorworks, SPORTO and Wasserman Live. For sponsorship opportunities please contact opportunity@sponsorship.org.
-ENDS-
About ESA
The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) is the essential and inclusive community for all professionals working in sponsorship. We inspire more successful sponsorships, drive confidence in decision making and grow a diverse community through world-leading education, events and resources, industry connections and recognition of excellence.
A not-for-profit membership association, ESA’s reach encompasses all types of sponsorship activity from sport, broadcast, education, charity, arts and culture to environment and the community. Its members include sponsors, rights holders, agencies and consultants, professional advisors and suppliers.
Visit sponsorship.org for more information.
About Pearlfinders
Pearlfinders empowers commercial teams at Europe’s most successful sports rights-holders and agencies to generate more sponsorship revenue. Our platform provides access to Europe’s largest, most accurate and relevant database of sport sponsorship budget-holders – with analyst-generated, forward-looking intelligence on potential partners – giving you an edge when pitching partnership opportunities to key decision-makers. Better insights. Better contact data. Better results.
For media queries, please contact:
Jonathan Coates | ESA Marketing, Communications and Events Manager
marketing@sponsorship.org | +44 (0) 7788 352219
