Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) delivered two successful procurement workshop events this week, which welcomed more than 200 businesses to these innovative events in Manchester and London.

The tournament, which will take place across England in 2021, will be advertising more than 30 supplier opportunities to help support the delivery of this world-class event. Attendee businesses were taken through the vision and aspirations of the tournament, as well as the process of being involved via registering on a specifically built portal. Once registered, businesses will be communicated on proposals for tender.

Following the conclusion of the first workshop, an RFP on esports was announced, a project that is key to the tournament's extensive and ambitious digital targets. The RFP, which will go live in June, will search for a partner to develop an esports strategy for the RLWC2021 to coincide with the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments – which, for the first time ever in 2021, will take place alongside one another.

Focused on driving new audience engagement, innovation and inclusivity, the successful partner will help develop and deliver impactful esports activity alongside RLWC2021's existing digital strategy.

Jonathan Neill, the tournament's Commercial Director, said: 

"The procurement launch and events this week have been really promising with some very engaged attendees who are interested in playing their role in helping to deliver the biggest and best tournament yet.

"Our esports RFP will be launched next month and we’re looking forward to receiving creative proposals from the industry. We believe that strategically exploring esports could support our aim to transcend the sport and engage new audiences, so the right strategic partner to help us deliver this is crucial."

Jon Dutton, the tournament’s Chief Executive, added: 

"We have set out bold targets for this tournament, we want to make it the biggest, most digitally connected and most inclusive RLWC ever. The response we have had in the last two days has been fantastic and I look forward to working with chosen suppliers and partners over the next two and half years to deliver our vision."

If you are interested in providing services to the tournament, you can register for the portal here: www.RLWC2021.com/procurement