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Nations Championship loses title sponsor on eve of inaugural London climax
Qatar Airways has withdrawn as title sponsor of the Nations Championship and cancelled its agreement to host the 2028 finals in Qatar, leaving the inaugural competition’s London climax without a sponsor. The decision is a reported £15m blow to rugby and raises questions over future hosting plans and funding for the sport.
The 2028 finals had been pencilled in for the United States, with Doha due to host again in 2032; the article says each Qatar-hosted edition could have brought the top 10 nations a collective £80m. The London event is a three-day festival featuring six matches, with about 70 per cent of tickets sold despite fixtures being confirmed only a week beforehand. Thousands of tickets remain for Wales’ games against Japan, New Zealand and Australia, potentially costing the Welsh Rugby Union millions in revenue.
In short
- Qatar Airways has ended its Nations Championship sponsorship.
- Qatar cancelled its deal to host the 2028 finals.
- Around 70 per cent of London finals tickets have sold.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The withdrawal may be a prudent commercial decision if the agreement no longer offers Qatar Airways sufficient value or if hosting plans have become impractical. Rugby organisers and participating nations should plan on secure, sustainable funding rather than rely on a sponsor and overseas host whose commitments may change.
The case against
Losing the title sponsor and the 2028 hosting agreement on the eve of the final is a serious setback for a new competition that depends on investment and predictable income. The cancelled Qatar events could also mean substantial lost revenue for participating nations, while uncertainty over future hosts may make it harder to build the tournament’s profile and sell tickets.