Heritage that lives on long after the final whistle.
Fan Connect turns rugby shirts, season cards and matchday moments into tap-to-open fan portals. Supporters get closer to the club all season; clubs and unions get to know the people behind a lifetime of loyalty.
- 1Tap or scan
- 2Open the portal
- 3Build the relationship
The loyalty is deep. The connection is occasional.
- A season of loyalty is known only through ticket scans.
- Shirt buyers and tournament crowds can stay strangers to the club.
- Heritage pieces lose their stories as they change hands.
The rugby supporter's year, connected.
01 · Season launchWear the colours. Join the season.
Scan a new shirt for the kit story, a squad introduction and an invitation to the supporter community.
02 · MatchdayFrom the team sheet to the final whistle
Open a match pass for the starting XV, a winning-margin prediction and the Player of the Match vote.
03 · Between fixturesThe club beyond the first team
A member coin opens training explainers, women's and academy updates, and community rugby events.
04 · Season closeA season worth keeping
Scan a commemorative programme for your collected match moments, a try-of-the-season vote and membership renewal.
Portal ideas built for rugby.
Inside the training paddock
Tap a training top for approved session footage and a coach's explanation of the lineout.
What fans tap.
An NFC tag or QR code turns rugby kit, a season card or a member keepsake into a portal entry point. No app download needed.
- Club and international shirts
- Commemorative editions
- Member coins and pins
- Hospitality passes
Partners connect with a loyal, engaged audience across club, union and tournament moments.
Shirt and club partners
Training stories, match predictions and relevant offers that continue beyond the logo on the shirt.
Matchday and hospitality partners
Guest information and chosen activities across concourses, fan zones and hospitality.
Community and tournament partners
Clubhouse watch parties, community events and tournament moments, with clear participation reporting.
Turn lasting loyalty into new opportunities.
Heritage and anniversary releases
Offer commemorative shirts and club-history collections to known supporters first, with a story that continues after purchase.
Membership and season renewal
Bring renewal into the place members already visit for team news, match moments and available benefits.
Available hospitality experiences
Invite interested supporters to explore a hosted matchday or an available premium upgrade.
Club and tournament keepsakes
Connect pins, member coins and commemorative programmes to collected moments and the next release.
Relevant partner offers
Put partner offers beside activities supporters choose to open, with clear terms and optional participation.
Four ways in for rugby.
Built on SmartLinks, the platform behind every tap. Explore the platform.
Rugby fan engagement FAQs.
How does Fan Connect support rugby fan engagement?
Fan Connect links rugby shirts, season cards and matchday QR codes to a supporter portal. Fans open team news, predictions, votes and offers; clubs build a more connected relationship with supporters who choose to take part.
Does it work for rugby union and rugby league?
Yes. Each club can shape its content and activities around its code. The starting-XV and lineout examples on this page illustrate rugby union; rugby league experiences can use a starting XIII and code-specific match content instead.
Can away supporters and fans watching at home take part?
Yes. Supporters can open the portal through connected merchandise or a shared QR link wherever they follow. Predictions, votes and club stories need not be limited to people inside the ground.
What is connected rugby merchandise?
A rugby shirt, commemorative edition or member keepsake with an NFC tag or QR code that opens digital content on a phone. The physical item becomes an ongoing entry point rather than the end of the transaction.
Will it replace our season-ticket or membership system?
No. Fan Connect is a supporter experience alongside your existing scheme, with member content, benefits and onward renewal links. Any integration with ticketing or membership systems is scoped to the club's setup.
How can rugby sponsors see participation?
Partners can support activities such as match predictions, clubhouse quizzes and chosen offers. Reporting focuses on participation in those experiences rather than treating shirt visibility as a direct fan relationship.
Other sports
Turn fan datainto sponsor value.
Reach fades. Known fans stay — and keep creating value for the club and its partners. Talk to our team about Sport, Music, or Entertainment, and we'll map your products and sponsor inventory to the loop to show you the fan data — and the commercial story — you should already own.