Qatar Airways becomes Airline Partner of the United Rugby Championship

The URC is one of three major professional rugby leagues in Europe, involving teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Wales and now South Africa. The most successful teams from each league also go on to compete in the [Heineken] Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup against teams from the domestic leagues in England and France. For the first time in history both competitions, organised by EPCR, will include South African teams.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “At Qatar Airways, we bring the world and communities together – through travel, of course, but also through sport. Today, we continue that mission by providing greater access to fans to watch their favourite teams compete, and supporting URC players and coaches and South African teams competing in EPCR competitions as they make cross-hemisphere trips via Doha to match destinations.”

The three-year partnership kicked-off today with a celebration at Hamad International Airport in Doha. Inside the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker was joined by Martin Anayi, Chief Executive Officer of the URC, Anthony Lepage, Chief Executive Officer of the EPCR, Mark Alexander, President of the South Africa Rugby Union, Ali Price, scrum-half of the Glasgow Warriors and Johannes Goosen, full-back of the Vodacom Blue Bulls, to commemorate the partnership.

Martin Anayi, chief executive officer of the United Rugby Championship, said: “Our league has greatly broadened its horizons in the past 12 months and we are honoured that Qatar Airways have become one of our key partners.

“Travel is at the heart of all of our competitions and this partnership will allow us to tap into the incredible expertise and knowledge available at Qatar Airways as they support our teams and fans on their journeys to some of the biggest games of the season.”