Rugby World Cup 2019, Japan - Sponsor and Commercial Hospitality Programme
Agency: TBA Japan
Clients: IMG, STH, World Rugby, Japan Rugby 2019, Heineken, Mastercard, Societe Generale, Jaguar Land Rover, Tudor Watches, Emirates
Locations: Nissan Stadium (Yokohama, Tokyo), Ajinimoto Stadium (Chofu, Tokyo), Showa Denko Dome (Oita), Ecopa Stadium (Shizuokoa)
Date: 20th September – 2nd November 2019
Role: Technical Director Japan
Delivery of all Commercial and Sponsor Hospitality Programme across 4 stadiums for the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan. Sponsors included Heineken, Mastercard, DHL, Tudor Watches, Societe Generale, Jaguar Land Rover and Emirates. We worked closely with World Rugby, Japan Rugby 2019 (local organising committee), and our clients, IMG (Sponsor Hospitality) and STH (Commercial Hospitality), to deliver the design and installation of full fitout including all walling, graphics, scenic construction (bars, catering stations), rigging, lighting, mains distribution, audio visual, flooring, furniture and soft furnishings. The largest of the three spaces was an external concourse, open to the elements, which wrapped around half the perimeter of Nissan Stadium in Yokohama spanning 1500sqm. Once complete, the space, which catered for a maximum of 1000 guests consisted of four private sponsor lounges (each with its own client and specific design requirement) and a shared central communal space, all of which with appropriate quantity of catering stations, bars and furniture to accommodate guests. Also installed a centrally controlled AV system with scheduled content which consisted of match information, sponsor content, match highlights, live camera and live feeds. Based on varying pre-determined capacities across the tournament, the space had to be flexible to allow walling turnarounds in between matches so at any time the space felt comfortably busy.
Spending a year in market was a challenge to say the least, integrating our approach with Japanese culture and ways of working, while maintaining the quality expectation of the international audience and our clients.
