Russia

Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer Hisense has agreed a deal to become an official sponsor of next year's Fifa World Cup national team football tournament, which will take place in Russia.

The ZA Sport arm of Russian designer ZA Group has entered into a partnership with the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC).

Russian financial services group VTB has signed as title sponsor of the country’s round of the Formula One motor-racing championship.

Russian UCI WorldTour cycling outfit Team Katusha has agreed a new sponsorship deal with German hair products manufacturer Alpecin that will result in it being renamed and registered as a Swiss squad.

Fifa, football’s global governing body, has named Russia’s Alfa-Bank as the first-ever regional supporter of its World Cup national team tournament.

Czech automotive manufacturer Skoda has extended a deal to remain as the main sponsor of the International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Championship.

Russian telecommunications company MegaFon has returned as a general sponsor of the Russian Football Union after signing a new three-year deal with the governing body.

Norilsk Nickel Mining and Metallurgical Company (MMC Norilsk Nickel) has signed on as a general partner of the 2019 winter Universiade multi-sport event.

Payment services brand MasterCard became the first international payment company to sponsor the Kontinental Hockey League in December having emerged from a damaging period of western sanctions in early 2015.

The Coca-Cola Russia division of the soft drinks producer has sealed a partnership deal with the Kontinental Hockey League European ice hockey competition.

UCI WorldTour cycling team Tinkoff-Saxo is on the lookout for a new main sponsor after owner Oleg Tinkov said his Russian banking group Tinkoff Credit Systems will withdraw its backing at the end of the 2016 season.

The Russian Football Union has renewed its partnership with the country’s leading independent natural gas producer Novatek.

Russian financial services group VTB has said it will not extend its top-tier sponsorship deal with the International Association of Athletics Federations, but has denied the decision is connected to the Russian doping scandal currently engulfing the sport.

Russian cybersecurity company Kaspersky Lab has agreed a five-year extension to its sponsorship deal with Formula One motor racing team Ferrari.

Russian nickel and palladium mining and smelting company Norilsk Nickel has agreed a sponsorship deal with the Russian Football Union.

The Kontinental Hockey League has unveiled a series of commercial partners ahead of the start of the European ice hockey tournament today (Monday).