Next signs as London 2012 Games sponsor

Next has become the 27th domestic sponsor of the 2012 London Olympics.

The clothing chain will be a tier three sponsor of the Games after agreeing a deal with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (Locog).

The retail firm will provide uniforms for technical officials at the Games and suits for London organising committee staff. It will also design opening and closing ceremony outfits and formal suits for Team GB athletes as well as supply linen for the athletes’ village.

Next joins GlaxoSmithKline, Ticketmaster and Holiday Inn as a third tier sponsor. There are currently 14 third-level sponsors paying about £10m for the status

Top tier sponsors include BMW, Airways, British Telecom and Lloyds TSB. Tier two sponsors include Adecco, Cadbury, Cisco, Deloitte and UPS.

Chris Townsend, Locog’s commercial director, says: “Next is a great brand and I’m confident Next will create a great look for the athletes, officials and staff as well as helping us to make  London 2012 product available across the country.  We welcome them aboard.”