Aon becomes Irish Rugby premium sponsor after 12 years backing women’s team

Aon has extended and broadened its relationship with the IRFU, becoming a Premium Sponsor of Irish Rugby after 12 years as one of the women’s game’s most prominent commercial supporters, a move that shows a sponsorship launched around women’s rugby growing into a wider partnership across the whole union. The firm first partnered with the IRFU in 2014 as inaugural Principal Sponsor of the Ireland Women’s team, and the latest agreement maintains its commitment to developing the women’s game.

The growth over that period has been substantial: more than 79 per cent of rugby clubs across Ireland now field women’s or girls’ teams, and a record 31,294 attended Aviva Stadium for Ireland’s 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations match against Scotland.

Aon is a global professional services firm listed on the New York Stock Exchange and headquartered in Dublin, serving clients in more than 120 countries across risk and human capital. It reported 2025 revenue of $17.2 billion (€15.4 billion), up 9%.

The IRFU is the governing body for rugby union on the island of Ireland, overseeing the men’s and women’s national teams as well as provincial and club competitions.

Rachael Ingle, CEO of Aon in Ireland, said the 12 years of the partnership had brought more girls into grassroots rugby, more women’s teams, larger audiences and stronger fan engagement, and that although Aon’s presence may look different as a premium sponsor, its commitment to the players, the team and the growth of the game is undiminished.

Billy Murphy, chairperson of the IRFU Commercial & Marketing Committee, said Aon has been an incredibly supportive long-term partner and, as first principal sponsor of the Ireland Women’s team, has helped support the growth of the women’s game over twelve years.

The shift in status follows the arrival of consumer-facing partners: Vodafone became main sponsor of the Ireland Women’s team this year, according to LBBOnline, and Dublin Airport has since joined as an official sponsor, according to Sport for Business.

For the sector, the move shows an early women’s sport investment broadening into a union-wide premium sponsorship, with participation and attendance records giving sponsors evidence for longer relationships.

Source: Sport for Business / LBBOnline / Aon