Queensland Rugby Union and Gullivers Extend Partnership for 2026 Italy Tour

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU) and Gullivers have officially announced a one-year extension of their partnership, naming the sports travel specialists as the Official Travel Partner of the Queensland Reds for the 2026 season.

A centerpiece of the extended agreement is the upcoming November 2026 Supporter Tour to Italy, where fans will follow the Queensland Reds as they face an Italy XV and Benetton Rugby in Treviso. This follows the commercial success of the 2025 UK and Ireland tour, which saw high engagement from Reds members and corporate partners.

Gullivers chairman, Kevin Maloney, noted that the partnership aligns with the company’s next phase of growth, focusing on “seamless and memorable” supporter tours that support both the professional team and the broader rugby community.

QRU head of commercial & consumer, Pete Fairbairn, highlighted the “stellar reputation” Gullivers has built within the Queensland rugby heartland.

“I witnessed the terrific UK & Ireland tour firsthand in February 2025 and know that there will be significant interest in our Italy tour when we launch in coming weeks,” Fairbairn said.

Gullivers general manager of events, Mike Jones, pointed to the massive appetite for rugby travel, citing the 4,500 supporters the company managed during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

“As ground operator, Gullivers is arranging a lot of the hotels and touring elements for overseas agents, so we already know next year’s World Cup is going to be huge for rugby and Australia,” Jones added.

Strategic Rebranding and Market Expansion

The partnership coincides with the unveiling of a bold new identity for Gullivers, centered on a “LIVE It” spirit.

The re-energised brand aims to move beyond traditional logistics to offer tailor-made journeys across sport, culture, and discovery.

• Enhanced Visibility: Fans will see the new Gullivers livery across Suncorp Stadium signage during Super Rugby Pacific home games.
• Diversified Offerings: Beyond rugby, Gullivers is expanding into culinary and cultural journeys, including high-demand events like the Hong Kong Sevens and Super Round in Christchurch.

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