UK gambling firm Betfred has announced that it is ending its long-standing title sponsorship of British rugby league's Super League this year.
Betfred has put its name to the 14-team Super League since 2017 but said it will not renew its contract when it ends at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
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Betfred owner Fred Done cited the UK government's most recent budget and the ensuing combination of tax rises and wage inflation that has forced the company to reevaluate its spending.
The most recent deal between the pair was struck in October 2023 and was valued at around $2 million per year at the time, according to GlobalData Sport.
Done commented: "We look back with great pride and fondness at our partnership with Rugby League, which began in 2017.
"This fantastic sport made us welcome from the outset, and our involvement forged some great friendships.
“Regrettably, following last year’s extremely disappointing Budget, and the ensuing combination of tax rises and wage inflation that led directly to the 132 shop closures we announced in July, it has been necessary to review all Betfred spending."
The Super League has not confirmed any new partners to replace Betfred, but has said it has made "big steps" towards securing those new sponsors.
Rhodri Jones, managing director of RL Commercial (and interim chief executive of the Rugby Football League body as a whole), commented: "Betfred have been an outstanding partner across rugby league for nearly a decade.
“We are extremely grateful to Fred Done and the entire Betfred team for their backing, passion and dedication to our sport.
"But, on the back of a record-breaking Super League season, we’re also excited for this next chapter as we prepare to soon welcome in new partners to continue the successes we’ve seen across Super League and all our major assets."
August saw a formal investment proposal from the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), the body behind the National Rugby League in that country, finally cross the Super League's desk.
The Super League – made up of 14 clubs split between England and France – has been in discussions with the 17-team NRL and the ARLC since 2025 around potential investment opportunities.
The 2026 Super League season got underway on February 12, and will come to an end with the Grand Final in Manchester on October 3. Of the 14 sides, 12 are from Northern England, with the other two representing Southern France.
Betfred, meanwhile, is also a sponsor of top-tier darts action through 2030, through a deal with the Professional Darts Corporation.
However, last year it also let its deal covering golf's British Masters expire, with Swedish robotic lawnmowing specialist Husqvarna then taking its place in February.
