Mighty Macron makes it official as a partner for the URC

Europe’s mighty sportswear giants Macron are the Vodacom United Rugby Championship’s kit partner for the match officials for the 2025/26 season.

Macron, partners of the Keo & Zels Rugby Podcast, have massively grown their global footprint in the rugby landscape, partnering with the USA’s National Teams, as well as the country’s professional competition, the Major League Rugby (MLR).

Macron, who are apparel and kit partners for seven of the 16 teams in the URC, are aligned to the South Africa’s Lions and also the Cheetahs, who will play in the EPCR Challenge Cup.

They are also the kit partner of several of the best rugby performing schools in South Africa, including Paarl Gimnasium, who finished the 2025 year as the No 1 ranked rugby team in South Africa.

Cardiff, Connacht Edinburgh, Glasgow, Ospreys, Zebre and the Lions make up the Macron Seven in the URC.

Macron also sponsor national teams Italy, Georgia and Portugal, in addition to the famous Barbarians FC, and their rugby footprint, through World Rugby, Scottish Rugby, Italian Rugby and USA Rugby totals 36 global rugby partnerships.

South African sporting fans are also familiar with Macron because of their partnership with the Proteas National squads and junior national teams, men and women.

Gianluca Pavanello, CEO of Macron, said: “The Vodacom United Rugby Championship is one of the most prestigious and exciting competitions in world rugby, and we are honoured to support all match officials taking part in this tournament. This partnership further strengthens our global leadership in rugby and reflects our constant commitment to developing innovative and high-performance products, tailored to meet the specific needs of those who carry the responsibility of officiating at the highest level.”

Martin Anayi, CEO of the United Rugby Championship, said: “We are delighted to welcome Macron as the official kit partner for our match officials. Our officials are central to the integrity of the Vodacom URC, and it is vital that they are supported with the very best apparel. Macron is already a valued partner to many of our clubs, so this collaboration feels like a natural fit. At the Vodacom URC, we place huge value on partnerships that share our vision for excellence, innovation and growth, and Macron will bring all of those qualities to this important role.”

MACRON PARTNERS WITH KEO & ZELS

The 2025/26 Vodacom United Rugby Championship season kicks off on Friday, September 26, featuring 151 matches across 21 weekends, 16 teams, five territories and two hemispheres.

• Vodacom URC Fixtures: click here
• Populate the Vodacom URC Fixtures directly to your calendar: click here
• Tickets for the opening rounds of the Vodacom URC available hereAbout Macron

  Macron is an iconic Italian brand in high-performance sportswear and a key player in an extraordinary growth journey over the past 20 years. Its success is rooted in an unwavering passion for innovative design, superior quality, and cutting-edge technology. With a deep understanding of the needs of teams, athletes, and sports enthusiasts, Macron creates products that inspire people to give their best, foster team spirit, and help everyone become the best version of themselves.

  The name Macron originates from the Greek prefix “μακρο” (makro), meaning “great.” Therefore, ambition and the commitment to growth are embedded in the brand’s identity. The company’s logo, the Macron Hero, symbolizes an athlete celebrating the achievement of their goal and embodies the brand’s philosophy: #BecomeYourOwnHero. This tagline emphasizes that everyone should always strive to become their best self.

  Macron operates through three main business lines:

  • Technical Sponsorships: strategic partnerships with sports teams, federations, and organizations. Macron provides high-performance sportswear, equipment, and apparel tailored to each partner’s specific needs, prominently featuring the Macron brand. This business stream not only increases brand visibility but also strengthens Macron’s position as a leading innovator in sportswear
  • Teamwear: high-quality, customizable collections of sports apparel and equipment designed for teams at every level—from professional to amateur—and across a wide range of sports. The Teamwear collections offer complete solutions for match days, training sessions, and leisure time. These products are distributed globally through a dedicated network of over 170 Macron Sports Hubs and selected multi-brand stores
  • Individual: this business line includes the Padel and Activewear collections, as well as the new Clubhouse collection. Clubhouse represents the perfect fusion of sports and lifestyle, combining the excellence of high-performance technical fabrics with the allure of fashion and iconic Italian style

  About The United Rugby Championship

  The Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) is a leading professional rugby competition featuring 16 teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales.

  Since 2021 the Vodacom URC has set the benchmark for digital growth and engagement in rugby, reaching a broadcast audience of over 175 million and generating close to 1 billion digital video views.

  With an 18-round regular season followed by the Play-Offs and Grand Final, the Vodacom URC combines global competitiveness with deep community connections, delivering world-class rivalries, derbies, and entertainment to fans worldwide.

  The Vodacom URC is proud to be a challenger brand in global rugby — diverse, dynamic, and unpredictable — while maintaining deep connections with its communities and supporters.

  For more information, visit www.unitedrugby.com or follow @URCOfficial across social media.