The NRL has announced a partnership with Kia Australia, making the car manufacturer the naming-rights partner of Thursday Night Football.

The three-year deal will also see Kia take on key media assets throughout all ARLC events, including Premiership matches, State of Origin and Magic Round Brisbane.

Commenting on the partnership, NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo, said: “We’re delighted on a number of levels by the partnership.”

“Kia have done a remarkable job with their growth, and it’s a credit to Damien and the management team to deliver in the way they have over the past seven years.

“They are up there with the best performers in the country and have won a number of awards around design and the quality of their vehicles, which is a wonderful story.

“We’re delighted because it’s such a strong brand, but we’re also delighted because Kia have a track record and history of going hard and bringing to life sponsorships within sport,” he said.

Kia Australia COO, Damien Meredith, added: “The NRL and its avid supporter base was central in our desire to partner with the NRL for the next three years.”

“Kia Thursday Night Footy will be tentpole viewing for more than 20 weeks of the year in 2023.

“This allows us to connect with the NRL fanbase throughout the entire regular season across both the Nine and Fox broadcast.

“It also provides us with a consistent and high reaching marketing and media platform to further the Kia brand and launch new vehicles into the Australian market,” he said.

The announcement comes after the NRL entered a landmark partnership with Westpac.