Coca-Cola Euro-pacific Partners (CCEP) has been announced as a premier partner of the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, the country’s planned National Rugby League club, which is due to enter the competition in 2028.

Chiefs CEO Lorna McPherson said the Coca-Cola brand will appear on the sleeves of the men’s NRL jersey from 2028. CCEP will also become the club’s exclusive partner in the non-alcoholic ready-to-drink beverage category.

The agreement is expected to extend beyond the playing kit, with the partnership featuring match-day activities, media, digital channels, and hospitality.

McPherson said work would begin before the team’s first NRL season, using CCEP’s nationwide distribution and community reach to connect with supporters across Papua New Guinea.

She described the Chiefs as a national institution intended to represent people throughout the country, and said the partnership reflected confidence in the club and its ambitions.

She also noted that Coca-Cola joins BSP and Studies as partners publicly announced by the Chiefs. The club is scheduled to make its NRL debut in March 2028.

McPherson said the occasion would represent a long-held national dream and bring Papua New Guinea’s team onto the competition’s stage for the first time.

CCEP Country Director, Tim Solly described the partnership announcement as a proud and historic moment for the company. He said it represents more than a logo on a jersey, expressing a commitment to stand alongside a team that will carry Papua New Guinea’s hopes, pride and identity onto the international stage.

Soli said Coca-Cola’s connection to Papua New Guinea is grounded in its local operations and communities. The company’s beverages are produced and packaged locally, supported by local workers and customers, and distributed throughout the country.

He noted that Coca-Cola has been part of everyday life in PNG for generations, including family gatherings, cultural celebrations, community events, and rugby league.

He said rugby league’s values of teamwork, resilience, ambition and shared purpose align with those of CCEP and Coca-Cola. The partnership, he adds, builds on the company’s longstanding support for the sport, from community competitions to elite development pathways, and reflects the power of sport to unite and inspire people.

Soli thanked PNG Chiefs chief executive Lorna and the club’s team for their trust, and said Coca-Cola was proud to be involved from the beginning. The company hopes to help bring supporters closer to the team and create memorable experiences both on match days and beyond.

He invited customers and fans across Papua New Guinea to stand with the Chiefs, celebrate the team’s milestones and share in its journey as it prepares to make history in the NRL.