Europe

Japanese automotive firm Nissan has signed a four-year global partnership with the Uefa Champions League club football competition.

Specsavers has become the official optometry and hearing partner of the England and Wales Cricket Board and the principal partner of the Association of Cricket Officials under a three-year deal.

The European Sponsorship Association launched a new policy document on ambush marketing at its annual Sponsorship Summit held in London on April 3.

Chinese telecommunications company Huawei has broadened its portfolio of European football club partners by agreeing a deal with French Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain.

Golf equipment manufacturer Lynx has signed a deal to sponsor the Women's British Open for the next three years.

US sportswear firm Nike has added to its portfolio of national team football partners by agreeing a new deal with the Football Association of Finland (SPL).

Alcoholic drinks company Diageo has reached a deal for its Guinness brand to become an official partner of Aintree Racecourse for the 2014 Grand National horse racing showpiece.

Windows manufacturer Profine has sealed a one-year sponsorship agreement with German Bundesliga football team Mainz 05.

Online motorcycling store Bike Nation has agreed to become the new title sponsor of the 2014 Lightweight TT Race, a road race that is part of the annual Isle of Man TT Races festival.

This Thursday’s ESA Sponsorship Summit in London will see 150 professionals gathering to discuss and debate the critical issues affecting the industry.

UK sportswear manufacturer Umbro has sealed a four-year kit deal with French Ligue 1 football club Nantes.

English Premier League football club Manchester United has announced a three-and-a-half year agreement to make Thai company EuroFood its official confectionary partner in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

English county cricket team Sussex has announced a kit sponsorship deal with UK food wholesaler Palmer and Harvey ahead of the 2014 domestic season.

Mitsubishi Electric, the home electronics arm of Japan’s Mitsubishi Group, has become an official partner of the European Tour’s PGA Championship golf tournament at Wentworth.

Online gambling company Betfair has agreed a two-year deal with the Chester Race Company to become the official Wi-Fi and digital gaming partner of Chester Racecourse.

The Sony PlayStation gaming console brand has a limited sponsorship budget in Europe because of its Uefa Champions League commitment, but is open to additional regional or national sponsorship deals – even outside of its core areas of football and motorsports.

Outdoor clothing brand Dare 2b has reached a three-year deal to become the official clothing partner and jersey supplier to the Tour of Britain cycling race.

German Bundesliga top-tier football club VfB Stuttgart has extended a sponsorship deal with the Mercedes-Benz Bank.