Sponsorship boost to cricket's Twenty20 Cup

County cricket's new Twenty20 Cup competition received a major boost with the announcement of new commercial sponsors for the tournament.

At the Twenty20 Cup launch at the Kensington Roof Gardens in London today, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced that Philips has entered into agreement to sponsor the competition while Nectar, the UK-wide loyalty card programme, has become a marketing partner. The two brands join npower, which was announced as the competition's first `Official Partner' in April, and which will, as the UK's premier energy provider to business, take the lead in marketing the competition through the workplace channel.

Tim Lamb, ECB Chief Executive said, "This new competition has been devised not only to help to drive new audiences to cricket grounds in the summer, but also to bring a range of new commercial partners into cricket. Philips and Nectar come into this category and we are confident that more will follow before the start of the tournament. I am delighted that npower has also recognised the unique potential of the Twenty20 Cup by further extending its support of cricket."

Philips has committed to the Twenty20 Cup for an initial two year period with a substantial six figure investment. In addition to actively promoting the Twenty20 Cup, Philips will be a central part of the unique entertainment experience at Twenty20 Cup matches this summer, with Philips Vidiwall LED replay screens being used to provide in-stadia match audiences with replays of all the action.

These state-of-the-art replay screens will also be used by the ECB at all international matches to enhance the in-stadia experience for spectators. The ECB and Philips are exploring other areas in which Philips' world-leading technologies can help the development of cricket in England and Wales.

The ECB's link with Nectar will help to drive awareness and interest in Twenty20 Cup. Customers will be able to gain entry to Twenty20 Cup matches by redemption of three Nectar vouchers (1,500 points). The offer will be promoted to Nectar collectors via a targeted e-mail and by inclusion in marketing materials.

This is the first time ECB tickets have been redeemable via a loyalty programme and will assist counties in attracting a family audience to Twenty20 Cup matches. Further competition details and a fixtures list will appear on the Nectar web-site.

Nectar customer offer

• One adult entry to any Twenty20 Cup match = 1500 points (3 vouchers)
  
• One U16 entry to any Twenty20 Cup match = 500 points (1 voucher) or free (if counties are not charging for U16)

Philips
Philips is Europe's largest electronics company with global sales in 2002 of over £20 billion (EUR 31.8 billion). Philips employs 166,000 employees including 6,600 in UK and has 60 global businesses covering consumer electronics, medical systems, semiconductors and Philips Lighting which lights 55% of the world's soccer stadia.

In sport, Philips is an official sponsor of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany and has been involved with the Wimbledon Tennis Championships for 25 years, one of the longest sponsor associations in global sport.

Ticket information

• Tickets are now available for all Twenty20 Cup matches - details here
• Tickets for the opening game at the Rose Bowl can now be bought Tel: 0870 243 0291. Ticket prices are £15 for adults and £10 for under 16s.
• Tickets for the Finals Day at Trent Bridge go on sale on Monday 19 May. Tel. 0870 168 8888. Ticket prices are £20-30 for adults and £10 for juniors accompanied by an adult.