Emirates ushers in Rugby World Cup 2023 excitement with renowned referee, Jaco Peyper

Emirates, the Official Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2023 (RWC 2023), has kicked-off the coveted tournament with a playful video featuring renowned South African referee, Jaco Peyper. The campaign comprises of a fun video which sees Jaco Peyper usher the airline’s iconic A380 with bespoke RWC 2023 livery to the tarmac, ready for take-off. Jaco sprints past the aircraft and blows a whistle to signal push-back. The Emirates A380 is then cleared for take-off, heading to Paris to kick-start Rugby World Cup 2023. 

Click here to watch the video, which will run across the airline’s social media channels starting today. The light-hearted video follows the success of the award-winning ‘Whistle Watch’, a World Rugby content series presented by former international referee Nigel Owens and sponsored by Emirates. Throughout the tournament, rugby fans can look forward to special episodes filmed across France. 

Emirates and Rugby World Cup 

As a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2023, Emirates enjoys significant branding presence throughout the tournament, including Television Match Official branding, as well as hospitality and ticketing rights.

The airline will also roll out a fan activation zone this year in Paris, Lyon and Marseille with exciting “fly better” initiatives. Emirates Cabin Crew will capture special moments for rugby fans with an instant camera, printed in a limited-edition RWC 2023 photo frame. At the airline’s world-class hospitality chalet, guests can look forward to exclusive tasting sessions of luxury champagne brand Dom Pérignon and cognac, in partnership with LVMH.

Rugby World Cup is one of the world’s biggest and most popular events, taking place once every four years. This year, the tournament will take place from 8 September to 28 October across nine cities in France. Jaco Peyper is set to kick-off the Rugby World Cup 2023 opening match between host nation, France, and New Zealand at Stade de France (Saint-Denis) on 8 September.

Emirates’ partnership with World Rugby traces back to 2007 when the airline first sponsored Rugby World Cup 2007 in France as a Tournament Sponsor. The airline then became a Worldwide Partner for Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand; the first Worldwide Partner to sign an agreement for both England 2015 and Japan 2019 in Japan; and currently, Worldwide Partner for Rugby World Cup France 2023; and Rugby World Cup Australia 2027.

Emirates also sponsors the Emirates Match Officials, with the world’s best referees taking to the field in their Emirates Fly Better kit when officiating in test rugby – a partnership that started back in 2013.

Earlier this year, the airline played a pivotal role with transporting The Webb Ellis Cup from South Africa to Paris, via Dubai onboard its iconic A380 with bespoke RWC 2023 livery, with South African rugby legend, Tendai Mtawarira who was part of the winning team at Rugby World Cup 2019.

Staunch supporter of rugby

Emirates continues to be a staunch supporter of rugby worldwide. The airline has been a Title Sponsor of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens for over 30 years; a proud sponsor of the Cape Town Sevens; partner of the South African Emirates Lions and their home venue, Emirates Airline Park; sponsor of the Dubai Hurricanes Rugby Football Club; and Official Airline of UAE Rugby Federation (UAERF) since 2011.

Serving France with 35 weekly flights 

Emirates conveniently connects rugby fans to RWC 2023 through its 35 weekly flights to/from France, including three daily A380 flights to Paris; daily flights to Lyon; and daily A380 flights to Nice. The airline’s extensive network of 140 destinations offers French customers access to an array of onward connections to Asia, the Indian Ocean, the Middle East, Africa and Australasia.

Passengers onboard will spot branded menus, drink coasters, cake toppers, and headrests featuring the RWC 2023 logo. Rugby fans won’t miss a moment of action onboard as matches will be aired live on Sport 24 and Sport 24Extra on selected flights – available on the airline’s award-winning ice entertainment system – and across dedicated Emirates airport lounges around the world. 

Customers will also enjoy gourmet meals and premium beverage selection, including 37 different varieties of French wines and champagnes, as well as an enticing Spirits menu on board.