Edinburgh Rugby welcomes LNER as new Community Impact Partner

The collaboration will see LNER help power the club’s community initiatives, directly impacting those who need support the most across the capital and wider region.

As part of the agreement, LNER will also sponsor Scotland international forward, Dylan Richardson.

The partnership has already seen both organisations collaborate on exciting initiatives, including a recent competition in partnership with Edinburgh’s Christmas, giving fans the chance to win a ride on the city’s ‘Big Wheel’ and tickets to December’s highly anticipated 1872 Cup match against Glasgow Warriors.

Edinburgh Rugby Managing Director Douglas Struth said: “We are proud and excited to welcome a renowned and prestigious organisation like LNER into the Edinburgh Rugby commercial family as a Community Impact Partner.

“Securing the support of a company with LNER’s reputation is a testament to the club’s growing profile and the significant value we place on our community work. Their commitment will be instrumental in allowing us to expand and enhance our vital community initiatives, directly supporting those most in need.

“It’s really exciting to see our commercial family continue to grow with partners who share our values and commitment to making a positive difference.”

David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER said, “At LNER, the communities that we serve are incredibly important to us, so we are proud to be working with Edinburgh Rugby as their Community Impact Partner. Working directly with them, we hope to inspire and make a real difference to those in the city who need it most.”

LNER has joined the club as a key Community Impact Partner, whose support will help power community programmes, including the important ‘Tickets to Inspire’ initiative.

This programme is aimed at bringing the excitement of the 1872 Cup to local charities across Edinburgh. Over 20 charities – covering causes such as homelessness, social housing, veteran support, food inequality, and youth work – will receive complimentary tickets to the highly anticipated 1872 Cup clash against Glasgow Warriors at Scottish Gas Murrayfield on Saturday 27 December (kick-off 3pm).

Developed in collaboration with the City of Edinburgh Council and Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC), this initiative aims to inspire and uplift individuals from all backgrounds with the unique opportunity to experience a major rugby event.

About LNER

LNER, which is publicly owned by DFTO, is on a mission to transform rail travel. Our new modern Azuma fleet of trains continue more than a hundred years of LNER tradition – setting new, higher standards in comfort, reliability and customer experience.

LNER calls at more than 50 stations along almost a thousand miles on the East Coast route, including major towns and cities between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland.

In 2025, LNER joins the wider rail industry in a year full of celebrations to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway. Railway 200 honours the past, present, and promising future of rail transport.