Community, Author at iSportConnect

LDN UTD Announces HyperX As Official Peripherals Partner For 2022

LDN UTD, the tech led purpose driven esports org, today announces their partnership with HyperX, the gaming peripheral brand.

LDN UTD has become recognised as the org that utilises esports and grassroots gaming to address social issues through both online and offline events. Most recently at Samsung KX in partnership with the Mayor of London, health and wellbeing in gaming was front and centre in discussions between content creators and celebrities, including LDN UTD new Co-Owner, Connor Ball, to an audience of 130,000 on Twitch.

Simultaneously, LDN UTD plays host to a diverse roster of talented creators and esports teams, including a VALORANT roster which competes in the VCT EMEA Challengers against some of Europe’s most recognisable esports brands.

Accordingly, LDN UTD will be championing HyperX’s core message of ‘We’re All Gamers’ by targeting inclusion in esports through a variety of avenues in 2022, from grassroots tournament initiatives to community focused events, all while continuing to support their grassroots and professional esports rosters.

Additionally, HyperX will feature across LDN UTD’s 2022 jersey, be integrated into digital branding assets, and future tournaments hosted on LDN UTD’s digital economy platform. HyperX peripherals will be utilised by staff and visitors at LDN UTD’s Centre Of Excellence, including young persons attending for UTD EDN workshops, the first cohort of which began their journey with us on Monday 21st February and can be seen on our socials. The purpose driven esports venue is set to offer gamers a safe space to play video games, attend workshops on mental & physical health and fitness, and be offered opportunities relating to further education and employment prospects.

Oliver Weingarten, CEO of LDN UTD said: “Ever since establishing LDN UTD, HyperX has provided unrivalled support to ensure we could support our events by providing our community with the best in class products, whether at GrimeAgainstKnives or most recently with All Access Gaming. We look forward to continuing our long term partnership to ensure the community can continue to experience HyperX’s peripherals in our Camden Centre of Excellence.”

“HyperX is proud to partner with LDN UTD. Their work around diversity and highlighting the good in gaming is something we’ve always admired.” said Amy Ash EMEA Events Specialist for HyperX. “We’re excited to continue supporting them with our peripherals and helping to bring inclusivity to the forefront of gaming.”

PGA TOUR Names NOBULL Official Training Apparel And Footwear Of The PGA TOUR And PGA TOUR Champions

The PGA TOUR and NOBULL, a high growth athletic footwear, apparel and accessory brand, announced a new multi-year partnership designating NOBULL as the “Official Training Apparel and Footwear of the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions” and the umbrella sponsor of PGA TOUR Active through 2027.

As part of the TOUR’s Official Marketing Partner program, NOBULL will activate and create custom content within PGA TOUR Active (www.pgatour.com/active), a TOUR platform featuring health, fitness and lifestyles of professional golfers, where fans get an inside look into the techniques and activities helping the world’s best golfers perform at their peak. NOBULL products will be available on the Player Performance Centers, which are state-of-the-art mobile fitness centers that travel to PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions events and provide fitness and training equipment and recovery technology to players on-site at tournaments throughout the season.

“We are excited to partner with NOBULL to provide athletic footwear, apparel and training expertise in our Player Performance Centers,” said Brian Oliver, PGA TOUR Executive Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. “Our golfers recognize the importance of proper training in order to reach peak performance and aid with career longevity. NOBULL will provide our athletes with the resources and tools needed to achieve their training goals.”

NOBULL was founded in 2015 by Reebok veterans Marcus Wilson and Michael Schaeffer. The company sells its footwear, apparel, and accessories through its own website, permanent and pop-up stores, as well as at numerous events. NOBULL recently announced a multi-year partnership as the title sponsor of the CrossFit Games and as the Official Footwear and Apparel Brand of CrossFit. NOBULL has expanded its training offering into running, cycling and trail running, and continues to expand into new sports every year.

“We are thrilled to partner with a premier organization like the PGA TOUR and introduce our brand to the global golf community” said NOBULL Chief Marketing Officer, Todd Meleney. “NOBULL is a training brand for people who work hard and don’t believe in excuses, and we’re excited to support the PGA TOUR and golfers who put in the work off the course each and every day. Through training, this partnership will amplify the evolution of golfers as athletes.”

PGA TOUR golfer Scott Stallings, who is a NOBULL athlete, and PGA TOUR Player Performance Center trainers will work to create training and performance content for PGA TOUR Active along with hosting community workouts at TOUR events. PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions players and trainers will have access to the latest products from NOBULL to aid their training.

SX Global Unveils Plans for FIM Supercross World Championship Series

Global series promises to elevate the sport & expand global fanbase, offering unprecedented financial support for teams & riders, along with the sport’s richest prize purses.

SX Global, the Australian company that recently earned the exclusive rights to manage and promote the FIM Supercross World Championship, today unveiled plans for the comprehensive global championship series. Featuring an independent team-ownership model, unprecedented financial support for teams and riders, expanded opportunities for global and local sponsors and innovations to elevate the broadcast and in-stadium experience; the FIM Supercross World Championship represent the most progressive and ambitious platform to elevate the sport and expand its appeal across the world.

The series will feature a highly exclusive structure, with only 10 team licenses available to independent owners, and an unparalleled level of financial support for teams, including seed funding for every team entering the series, appearance fees at every event, and logistics and freight support throughout the series. In total, more than $50 million has been designated specifically for team and rider support over five years. In addition, the independent ownership model opens the door for significant sponsorship opportunities on global and local-event levels.

The global series will feature the richest prize purses in the sport’s history, with a total of $250,000 up for grabs at each event. The FIM Supercross World Championship will follow the established two-class format, with each team fielding four riders – two in the WSX (450cc) class, and two in the SX2 (250cc) class. Furthermore, every event will allow for two wild card entries in each class, providing opportunities for local riders and sponsor-driven exemptions and round out the 22-rider field. SX Global also plans to deliver an elevated experience for fans, through unique race formats, broadcast innovations, and in-stadium attractions that elevate the overall entertainment experience.

Plans for the global Championship series were underscored today by the news of Mubadala Capital’s investment in SX Global, bringing an unprecedented level of financial support and development resources on behalf of the FIM Supercross World Championship. Mubadala Capital, the asset management arm of Mubadala Investment Company, a sovereign investor with $243 billion in assets under management, brings a wealth of experience in funding the development of global business and sports ventures.

“There is a massive fanbase and untapped demand for supercross outside the United States and backed by the financial support and significant resource of Mubadala Capital, we intend to feed that, bringing the sport to new regions through the most exciting and lucrative World Championship series in the history of the sport,” said Tony Cochrane, President of SX Global. “We have created an entirely new model for supercross – one that emphasizes expanded financial support and opportunities for riders and teams, expanded opportunities for sponsorship and an elevated experience for fans.”

The FIM Supercross World Championship will annually take place in the second half of the year, ensuring a complimentary relationship to the Monster Energy Supercross Series in America. With plans for five events from September through November, 2022 will serve as a “pilot” season, allowing the series to establish itself and build momentum. 2023, and subsequent years, will see the series expand annually between June and November.

While the supercross series in the United States has firmly established itself as the preeminent platform for the sport, there has yet to be a definitive global series to lay claim to a true FIM-sanctioned World Championship. Highly successful events are held throughout Europe and Australia every year, normally around September–December. However, these events are not currently linked by any official FIM ‘championship’ status, and this remains a significant untapped opportunity for the sport’s ongoing credibility and evolution, as well as a significant opportunity for riders and teams to expand their influence and financial prospects.

“Over the years, there have been various attempts to build a true World Championship series for supercross, but none of them have succeeded, due to deficiencies in funding and resource, lack of global and regional relationships and a variety of other factors,” said Adam Bailey, Managing Director, Motorsport, for SX Global. “Our team possess the necessary supercross and international event background, relationships and expertise, and the funding to make this World Championship a reality.”

SX Global brings a team of highly qualified motorsports and entertainment executives, armed with the experience to successfully deliver a series of this magnitude. SX Global President, Tony Cochrane, spearheaded the development and success of V8 Supercars, an Australian-based auto racing series that became one of Australia’s most successful motorsports, eventually expanding with events in Shanghai, the United States, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and New Zealand. In addition, proven supercross event veterans

Adam Bailey and Ryan Sanderson have been the driving force behind Australia’s highest-profile supercross offering, the AUS-X open. The duo has promoted five years of consecutive sold out AUS-X Open events in Sydney (2015-2018) and Melbourne (2019), along with successful events in Auckland, New Zealand in 2018 and 2019.

“Our entire careers have been driven by a passion for motorsport and entertainment, and our motivations are as pure as they come – to continue to evolve and elevate our sport and its incredible athletes to new levels of global relevance and success,” said Ryan Sanderson, Managing Director, Commercial, for SX Global “Our aim is to take the amazing sport of supercross global and reveal its greatness to millions of new fans all over the world.”

Mubadala Capital Backs SX Global To Launch New FIM Supercross World Championship

Mubadala Capital, the asset management subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company, one of the world’s leading sovereign investors with US$243 billion of assets under management, today announced its investment in SX Global, an Australian company established to develop, promote, and commercialize the FIM Supercross World Championship.

Mubadala Capital has established a track record of successfully investing in category leaders across sports, media, and entertainment—including EMI Music Publishing, Endeavor Group Holdings, Reigning Champs, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network (YES Network), among others—and this investment continues its history of backing world-class management teams in building differentiated global sports, media and entertainment businesses.

Mubadala Capital’s investment will support SX Global’s expansion plans for supercross and its efforts to capitalize on the exclusive rights it has secured from the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) to manage and promote the new FIM Supercross World Championship, bringing the exciting sport of off-road motorbike racing to fans across the globe in a new competitive format.

“Our commitment to SX Global and the FIM Supercross World Championship builds on our strategy and track record of selectively investing in premier content properties with strong global appeal,” said Adib Martin Mattar, Head of Private Equity at Mubadala Capital. “We expect that our investment in SX Global will introduce the exciting sport of professional supercross to a global audience and build lasting value by delivering an authentic, exciting and fan-centric experience.”

SX Global’s President, Tony Cochrane, added, “We’re proud to partner with Mubadala Capital, a company that shares our vision and global aspirations for the FIM Supercross World Championship. With the international reach, resources, and business building experience of Mubadala Capital alongside us, we’re looking forward to establishing FIM Supercross World Championship as a leading global motorsport and entertainment property.”

Representing Mubadala Capital on the SX Global Board of Directors will be Matt Kim and Russ Pillar, who collectively bring decades of experience backing and leading global sports, media, and entertainment companies. They will be joining Tony Cochrane, SX Global’s President; Adam Bailey, SX Global’s Managing Director (Motorsport); Ryan Sanderson, SX Global’s Managing Director (Commercial); Tom Potter, Rush Sport & Entertainment; and Tavo Hellmund, Founder, Event Partners Marketing, on SX Global’s Board of Directors.

In December 2021, the FIM awarded SX Global the exclusive organisational and commercial rights to stage, manage and promote the FIM Supercross World Championship. Under the leadership of the SX Global Team, and with the financial backing and support of Mubadala Capital, Supercross will become a true global sports property, competing on a legitimate international platform for the first time in history. The FIM Supercross World Championship will commence in late 2022.

FIFA And UEFA Suspend Russian Clubs And National Teams From All Competitions, UEFA End Gazprom Deal

Following the initial decisions adopted by the FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee, which envisaged the adoption of additional measures, FIFA and UEFA have decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.

These decisions were adopted by the Bureau of the FIFA Council and the Executive Committee of UEFA, respectively the highest decision-making bodies of both institutions on such urgent matters.

Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine. Both Presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.

UEFA has also decided to end its partnership with Gazprom across all competitions. The decision is effective immediately and covers all existing agreements including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA national team competitions and UEFA EURO 2024.

eSkootr Championship Appoints Little Dot Sport To Build Global Social Media Engagement

The eSkootr Championship™ (eSC) has appointed Little Dot Sport, award-winning digital content agency Little Dot Studios’ recently launched specialist label, to help amplify the Championship’s social media content and engagement across all platforms.

Little Dot’s international presence, with offices around the world, will help build a global fan base. They have worked with some of the biggest brands, broadcasters, distributors and rights-holders in international sport, including Formula E, Eurosport, The FA and Extreme E, engaging and retaining an active audience with original and strategically re-versioned content.

As a brand-new sport, social media will play a vital role in building a fan base for eSC and driving anticipation for the upcoming season. Little Dot Sport will work with eSC’s in-house social media team to support and maximise the Championship’s Instagram, YouTube and TikTok channels, as well as looking to test and innovate on new and emerging platforms where there is an opportunity to connect with young audiences in new and interesting ways.

Little Dot has recently been verified as carbon neutral to Future Net Zero Standard since inception.

Hrag Sarkissian, eSkootr Championship™ Co-founder and CEO, said:

“As a global championship racing on different continents and with riders from all around the world, the opportunities for building an engaged international fan base through social media are incredibly exciting.

“Little Dot’s record for delivering premium and ground-breaking digital entertainment with world-famous brands makes them the ideal expert partner for eSC’s social media ambitions. Our shared vision for how we will reach, excite and educate to spread the word of eSC and the benefits of micromobility is extremely powerful, and Little Dot’s pioneering and data-driven approach will ensure long-lasting growth.”

Robbie Spargo, Director of Little Dot Sport, added:

“We’re delighted to partner with the innovative and ambitious team at eSkootr Championship™. Having seen the plans around the events, the broadcast product, and where the riders are coming from, we know we will be working at the cutting edge of sports entertainment content.

“More than this though, it is the alignment of our values that make this partnership such an exciting one for us. Having recently been certified as net carbon neutral since inception and having worked with other pioneering sports rights-holders with sustainability at their heart, we’re proud to support a sporting championship fundamentally built on this ethos.”

ATPI Acquires Australia’s The Travel Authority In Southern Hemisphere Expansion

ATPI Australia, a part of The ATPI Group, global leader in travel management and events, today announces the acquisition of The Travel Authority Group.

With a significant presence in Sydney and a raft of established corporate travel clients, The Travel Authority also has operations in Perth (Western Australia) and on New South Wales’ northern coast. The Travel Authority portfolio includes clients across the marine and energy industries and the leisure and events sector, making the respected travel management company a strong strategic fit for ATPI.

Ian Sinderson, CEO, ATPI Group said:

“ATPI’s dedicated marine and energy, and mining and resources, divisions are growing in Australia and the acquisition of The Travel Authority cements our expansion in this region. With a strong corporate presence in Sydney and the servicing of marine customers in Perth, The Travel Authority team complements our existing Melbourne and Perth based operations, as well as bringing additional support and expertise to our team. The synergies do not end there; we are also excited to add a travel management company with our shared values for specialist and expert service in the Events sector, in which ATPI is a global leader.”

Peter Hosper, CEO, The Travel Authority, adds:

“We are excited to have found a like-minded partner that shares our vision. Despite the challenges of the last two years, The Travel Authority has achieved strong performance and by joining ATPI we collectively become a stronger united business with a renewed vigour and positive outlook. There’s a lot to look forward to.”

The acquisition sees ATPI develop its largest-ever office presence in the commercial capital Sydney, and further expands operations focused on the marine and energy industries in Perth and Fremantle. ATPI Marine & Energy is the dedicated division of the Group providing specialist travel solutions to the energy and shipping sectors. The Travel Authority brings additional capacity to service more clients across these complex industries.

As part of the ATPI Group portfolio, The Travel Authority will enjoy access to world-leading specialist technology including bespoke platforms built to service the specific needs of the energy and shipping sectors.

ATPI’s acquisition of The Travel Authority in early 2022 follows expansion in Europe in 2021 via the acquisition of German travel agency Hamburg Süd Reiseagentur GmbH. In addition, ATPI has grown its international footprint extensively over the last two years with the addition of new international service locations via partners across particularly Africa, South America and Asia.

IOC Executive Board Recommends No Participation Of Russian And Belarusian Athletes And Officials

The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) discussed again today the dilemma the Olympic Movement is currently facing after the breach of the Olympic Truce by the Russian government and the government of Belarus through its support in this.

The Olympic Movement is united in its mission to contribute to peace through sport and to unite the world in peaceful competition beyond all political disputes. The Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games, World Championships and World Cups and many other sports events unite athletes of countries which are in confrontation and sometimes even war.

At the same time, the Olympic Movement is united in its sense of fairness not to punish athletes for the decisions of their government if they are not actively participating in them. We are committed to fair competitions for everybody without any discrimination.

The current war in Ukraine, however, puts the Olympic Movement in a dilemma. While athletes from Russia and Belarus would be able to continue to participate in sports events, many athletes from Ukraine are prevented from doing so because of the attack on their country.

This is a dilemma which cannot be solved. The IOC EB has therefore today carefully considered the situation and, with a heavy heart, issued the following resolution:

In order to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants, the IOC EB recommends that International Sports Federations and sports event organisers not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.
Wherever this is not possible on short notice for organisational or legal reasons, the IOC EB strongly urges International Sports Federations and organisers of sports events worldwide to do everything in their power to ensure that no athlete or sports official from Russia or Belarus be allowed to take part under the name of Russia or Belarus. Russian or Belarusian nationals, be it as individuals or teams, should be accepted only as neutral athletes or neutral teams. No national symbols, colours, flags or anthems should be displayed.Wherever, in very extreme circumstances, even this is not possible on short notice for organisational or legal reasons, the IOC EB leaves it to the relevant organisation to find its own way to effectively address the dilemma described above.In this context, the IOC EB considered in particular the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022 and reiterated its full support for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the Games.
The IOC EB maintains its urgent recommendation not to organise any sports event in Russia or Belarus, issued on 25 February 2022.
The IOC EB has, based on the exceptional circumstances of the situation and considering the extremely grave violation of the Olympic Truce and other violations of the Olympic Charter by the Russian government in the past, taken the ad hoc decision to withdraw the Olympic Order from all persons who currently have an important function in the government of the Russian Federation or other government-related high-ranking position, including the following:
- Mr Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation (Gold, 2001)
- Mr Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation (Gold, 2014)
- Mr Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office (Gold, 2014)
The IOC EB welcomes and appreciates the many calls for peace by athletes, sports officials and members of the worldwide Olympic Community. The IOC admires and supports in particular the calls for peace by Russian athletes.
The IOC EB reaffirms its full solidarity with the Ukrainian Olympic Community. They are in our hearts and thoughts. The IOC EB commits to continue and strengthen its efforts for humanitarian assistance. Therefore, the IOC EB has today established a solidarity fund. In this context, the IOC expresses its gratitude to the National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and International Sports Federations that are already supporting Ukrainian athletes and their families.

The IOC EB, assisted by the IOC Task Force, continues to closely monitor the situation. It may adapt its recommendations and measures according to future developments.

Today’s IOC statement builds on the IOC statements made on 24 February 2022 and 25 February 2022.

The IOC reaffirms the call of the IOC President: “Give peace a chance.”

NFL Reveals Designated Home Teams For 2022 International Schedule In UK, Mexico And Germany

The National Football League announced today that the Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play international games during the 2022 season.

The Buccaneers, two-time Super Bowl champions, will play in the NFL’s inaugural regular-season game in Munich, Germany, while the Cardinals will play in Mexico City, where they hosted the league’s first-ever regular-season game outside the United States in 2005.

The Packers will make their first international trip, becoming the 32nd NFL team to play in London since 2007. The Saints will play in the UK for the third time, having won on two previous occasions. The Jaguars have previously announced that they will play a home game at Wembley Stadium in 2022.

“We are very excited to be staging five games outside the United States in 2022, and thank the clubs for their continued commitment to growing the sport internationally,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive Vice President, Club Business and League Events. “Our fans in Germany, Mexico and the UK can look forward to seeing some of the most iconic names and biggest stars in the League and enjoying an incredible series of events.”

Last year, as part of the League’s expansion of the regular season to 17 games, it was determined that, beginning with the 2022 season, up to four of the teams from the conference whose teams were eligible for a ninth regular-season home game would instead be designated to play a neutral-site international game each year.

Designated international teams in 2022:

Country	Stadium	Team
Germany (Munich)	FC Bayern Munich Stadium	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mexico (Mexico City)	Estadio Azteca	Arizona Cardinals
United Kingdom (London)	Tottenham Hotspur Stadium	Green Bay Packers
United Kingdom (London)	Tottenham Hotspur Stadium	New Orleans Saints
United Kingdom (London)	Wembley Stadium	Jacksonville Jaguars

Details of the dates, matchups and kickoff times will be confirmed as part of the full 2022 schedule announcement later this year.

As previously announced, Munich and Frankfurt were chosen to stage regular-season games in Germany over the next four years. The first game will feature the Buccaneers.

“We look forward to participating in the first regular-season NFL game in Munich, Germany later this fall as part of the International Series,” said Buccaneers Owner/Co-Chairman Joel Glazer. “This historic game will play a crucial role in the NFL’s efforts to grow its international footprint while allowing us to directly engage NFL fans in Germany.”

In Mexico, the Cardinals last played at Estadio Azteca with 103,467 fans in attendance, the eighth largest crowd in NFL history.

“In 2005 when the Cardinals hosted the first NFL regular-season game played outside the United States, we experienced first-hand the extraordinary support and incredible passion of our fans in Mexico,” said Arizona Cardinals Owner Michael Bidwill. “We know that has increased exponentially in the years since and are thrilled to return to Mexico City and Estadio Azteca in 2022.”

The Packers will become the 32nd NFL team to play in London since 2007.

“The Green Bay Packers are excited to make our international debut during the 2022 season,” Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy said. “Our fans in the UK and elsewhere in Europe have been eagerly awaiting an opportunity to see the Packers play in their backyard, and we know that many of our fans in the United States will travel to London. It will be an honor to represent the NFL, as well as Green Bay and the state of Wisconsin, internationally. This will be a great opportunity to introduce the Packers, as well Green Bay and our area, to an international audience and encourage fans in the UK to visit us in person at Lambeau Field.”

The Saints will return to London to play their first game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after having played at Wembley Stadium in 2008 and 2017.

‘It’s always an honor when we are selected to play in the United Kingdom,” said New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis. “We have enjoyed successful trips in the past and look forward to representing New Orleans and our fans from around the globe. Clearly a lot goes into the planning and the logistics of a trip of that magnitude and we have already began making the necessary preparations and will continue to do so in the coming months.”

The Jacksonville Jaguars, who played at Tottenham last season, will return to Wembley Stadium for the first time since 2019, having played there for seven straight seasons.

“London has served as the Jaguars’ home away from home since 2013 but, traditionally, home field in London has meant Wembley Stadium,” said Jaguars Owner Shad Khan. “Wembley is a significant part of our identity and brand in London and throughout the UK. Most important, Wembley is where our Union Jax fans want us to play. Wembley is where our fans, including those making the trip from the US, want to be. After a three-year absence, the Jacksonville Jaguars are coming back to Wembley Stadium. We’re looking forward to the homecoming!”

“We have a great lineup of teams coming to the UK and Germany this year,” said Brett Gosper, NFL Head of Europe and UK. “Having the Packers become the 32nd team to play in London is tremendously exciting for the fans and a great sign of the League’s commitment to international games. The Saints have been long-time supporters of the UK, having volunteered to be the home team in the second year of London games in 2008, and we welcome them back. We are very excited to have a recent Super Bowl champion in the Buccaneers playing in Munich and thank them for ensuring that it will be a memorable launch of our series of games in Germany.”

First Ever IRONMAN Middle East Championship To Be Held In Israel This Year

The IRONMAN Group announced today that it will add to its 2022 IRONMAN global race calendar with the IRONMAN Israel Middle East Championship triathlon in Tiberias, Israel. This will be the first full distance IRONMAN event to take place in the Middle East and will be held on November 25, 2022.

With 75 qualifying slots available for the 2023 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i, the race is set to attract age group competitors, as well as elite level pros battling it out to be crowned the first ever Middle East IRONMAN Champion.

The course is fast and flat, also making it perfect for first timers or those who are going for a personal best.

Honorary President of the Middle East Championship, Sylvan Adams noted, “After the success of the IRONMAN 70.3 event last year, I am pleased to announce that the follow-up will see Israel host the full distance IRONMAN Middle East Championship in Tiberias, overlooking the spectacular and historically significant Sea of Galilee. As it is a regional championship, IRONMAN Israel will attract the finest athletes from all across our region and beyond. We are looking forward to welcoming thousands of athletes from neighboring countries to the beautiful Galilee for what will surely be an historic event.”

Course description

Starting and finishing in Tiberias, the race offers athletes a unique bucket list experience, steeped in historic and religious significance, and set against the breathtaking landscape of northern Israel.

Athletes will enjoy a warm 3.8km swim course in the Sea of Galilee with the sun rising from the east, over the Golan Heights, making it a picture-perfect setting for an unforgettable swim.

The 180km bike course, consisting of two laps, will lead athletes through the magnificent Sea of Galilee landscape, south of the city of Tiberias to Tzemach junction. From there they continue to the east and north side of the Sea of Galilee to Kfar Nahum.

Finally, athletes will run in the footsteps of ancient historical figures as they take on a fast and flat 42.2km run course, comprised of four laps. They will run along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, from Tiberias to Migdal and eventually back towards the red carpet and onto the finish line. With multiple opportunities to spot your athlete, this course is a spectator’s dream, adding to the electric atmosphere of the race.

IRONMAN Israel Middle East Championship will take place on the same day as IRONMAN 70.3 Tiberias, which was held for the first-time last year.

Cazoo To Become New ‘Main Partner’ And ‘Shirt Sponsor’ Of Valencia CF

Valencia CF and Cazoo have signed a multi-year agreement, that will see Europe’s leading online car retailer, which makes buying a used car as simple and seamless as ordering any other product online, become Main Partner and Shirt Sponsor of the club from the start of next season. From July 1st, 2022, Cazoo branding will feature on the front of the Valencia CF men and women’s shirts and throughout the Mestalla Stadium, obtaining significant visibility on televised football coverage on matchdays and on all digital platforms.

Cazoo currently sponsors other clubs such as Everton and Aston Villa in the Premier League and this deal will form part of an extensive marketing campaign by Cazoo when it launches in Spain in the first half of 2022 as it continues to rollout across Europe, following its recent launches in both France and Germany and its acquisition of Barcelona-based Swipcar.

Cazoo owns and reconditions its cars to the highest standard before offering them for delivery in just a few days and has thousands of cars available at any time. With customers able to purchase a car entirely online and have it delivered directly to their door, Cazoo has been referred to as the ‘Amazon of the used car market’.

Cazoo was founded in 2018 by renowned British entrepreneur Alex Chesterman and has already sold over 50,000 cars in the UK since its launch as consumers have embraced the selection, value, transparency and convenience of buying used cars fully online.

Cazoo has grown its team to over 4,000 across the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal, and has been one of the fastest growing businesses in Europe. Over the past two years, it has been pioneering the shift to online car buying, and recently listing on the NYSE in August 2020, and has raised over $1.4bn to build out its brand and infrastructure as it looks to continue to transform the car buying and selling experience across the UK and Europe.

Alex Chesterman, Founder & CEO of Cazoo:

“We are very excited to be partnering with Valencia CF. We have been in talks with the club for a few months, and we’re pleased to be able to announce the partnership with such an historic club. They have a very passionate supporter base and following across Spain and have had great success in Europe and we are looking forward to engaging with the fans and local community to deliver the best car buying experience in Spain in 2022.”

Anil Murthy, President of Valencia CF:

“We are looking forward to partnering with Cazoo next season. Valencia CF will bring Cazoo to a large audience in Spain and beyond. This agreement positions Valencia CF even more as an international club that is attractive for big brands. We look forward to this exciting journey together.”