Cygames has secured its first UK horse racing sponsorship by partnering with the Surrey Stakes at the 2026 Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom Downs. This marks the company’s entry into the UK market, complementing its existing international racing portfolio in France and the US. The sponsorship aligns with the Derby Festival’s status as a key British racing event and fosters ongoing collaboration between the UK and Japan’s horse racing industries, with hopes for increased Japanese participation in UK races.

Separately, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has launched legacy plans for the Barclays Knight-Stokes Cup, a new national T20 competition for state secondary schools, backed by over £0.5m in fundraising. The competition, founded by Michael Vaughan and Mark Nicholas, has attracted over 1,100 teams and will culminate in Finals Day at Lord’s, where winners’ names will be added to a new Honours Board. Additionally, Kukri Sports has appointed four new ambassadors to support England Athletics’ youth, talent, and Masters programmes, reinforcing its commitment to athlete development and grassroots engagement across the UK.