Kia is now a proud partner for the inaugural season of the new professional Surrey women’s cricket team, colloquially known as the Three Feathers.
The partnership comes after 15 years of Kia sponsorship of the Surrey County Cricket Club (Surrey CCC) men’s team. Kia has provided long-standing support for women’s cricket, which started in 2013 with the supply of cars to the National England Women’s Cricket Team.
Since 2011 Kia UK has been the headline sponsor of Surrey County Cricket Club and its home-turf, the iconic Kia Oval. The latest overall sponsorship was extended for five years, to 2029. This makes Surrey CCC and Kia UK’s partnership one of the longest brand associations in English sport; and the biggest in the club’s 180-year history.
Kia’s logo will take pride of place front-and-centre across the new women’s cricket team official kit, just like it has over the past 15 years for Surrey’s teams and for the National England Women’s Cricket Team between 2014 until 2021.
Pre-existing sponsorship deals with Surrey CCC and England Women has seen more than 260 brand-new Kia vehicles provided to the club and team in support (95 for Surrey CCC and more than 160 for England Women). As part of the sponsorship agreement, Kia UK will be providing eight cars per season to the Surrey side.
Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK said: “Our partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club over the last 15 years is something we at Kia are incredibly proud of. I am even prouder to be supporting the club as the women’s team enters a new era of professional cricket. Inclusion and equality lie at the centre of our brand values, and I am delighted that we can promote these values through our partnership with the team; who I wish the best of luck for the upcoming season.”
Emma Calvert, Director of Women’s Cricket, Surrey County Cricket Club: “We are thrilled to welcome Kia UK as the official sponsor of our new, professional women’s side at the club, and we are looking forward to starting this new and exciting chapter of women’s cricket, with Kia, our familiar and supportive partner, alongside us. We are immeasurably grateful for Kia’s unending support of our club, our iconic location, and the women’s cricket team.”
Surrey’s team will make their debut as a newly formed professional side in an ECB One-Day Cup against Somerset women at The County Cricket Ground in Beckenham, on 23 April 2025. The Three Feathers will then make their home season debut at the Kia Oval on 5 June 2025 against Hampshire, in the 2025 Vitality Blast.
Kia’s longstanding support
Since 2011, Kia UK has shown unwavering support for cricket through strategic sponsorships, including the iconic Kia Oval and Surrey County Cricket Club (Surrey CCC). Kia’s journey in women’s cricket sponsorship has been marked by several significant milestones.
On 09 September 2013, Kia first supported the National England Women’s Cricket Team during the Women’s Ashes Series, providing the team with Kia pro_cee’d GT cars, and helping to contribute to England’s triumphant 12-4 points victory in the Series.
Less than a year later, in July 2014, Kia UK announced a groundbreaking two-year sponsorship deal and became the official partner and car of the England Women’s Cricket Team. The brand provided a fleet of 19 Kia Sportage cars for the team’s use throughout the cricket seasons. This first-ever standalone commercial agreement for the team granted Kia sole title sponsorship of England Women’s Home Test matches against India and Australia.
Following this, in March 2016 the Women’s Cricket Super League was officially launched as the Kia Super League. This marked a first-ever standalone title sponsorship for a domestic women’s cricket competition in England. The league elevated standards for the England Women’s Cricket Team and inspired more women and girls to play cricket, with the formation of six new women’s teams connected to their local communities.
A couple of years later, in April 2016, Kia UK further extended its partnership with the England Women’s Cricket Team until May 2018. The company also provided a fleet of 24 Kia Sportage cars, more than in previous years and reflecting the enhanced profile of women’s cricket.
In September 2017, Kia UK further extended its partnership with the England Women’s Cricket Team and the Kia Super League for another two years until 2020. One year later, Kia UK continued its already strong ties with cricket as the Kia Super League entered its third year, culminating in a sell-out Finals Day on 27 August 2018.
The Kia Summer Smash was launched by Kia UK in partnership with The Cricketer magazine the following year, consisting of a new T10 competition for recreational women cricketers in the UK. The competition bridged elite and recreational cricket, and featured family activities and coaching masterclasses to further broaden its appeal.
Just last year, in January 2024, Kia UK and Surrey CCC announced a partnership extension for another five years until the end of 2029. This makes it the longest partnership in the club’s 180-year history. The partnership includes headline sponsorship of the Kia Oval and a commitment to sustainability, such as switching the facility to energy-efficient LED floodlights. Both Kia and Surrey CCC have ambitious environmental goals and are targeting significant carbon reductions: Kia’s Net Zero target is 2045 across its global value chain.