ROYAL® EXTENDS PREMIUM PARTNERSHIP WITH SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS FOR THIRD SEASON

• Royal®, the #1 brand of Authentic Basmati and Sona Masoori rice in the U.S., has extended its Premium Partnership with the San Francisco Unicorns for a third consecutive year
• The continued collaboration includes prominent apparel branding, Family Day and stadium activation, and player-led content throughout the 2026 Major League Cricket season.

The San Francisco Unicorns have announced that Royal®, the #1 brand of Authentic Basmati and Sona Masoori rice in the U.S., has extended its partnership into the 2026 Major League Cricket (MLC) season, marking not only a continued investment in the sport but a broader cultural moment for the brand.

The extension, now entering its third consecutive season, reflects the growing alignment between leading consumer brands and Major League Cricket’s rapidly expanding U.S. audience.

As Royal® deepens its connection with cricket fans and South Asian audiences across the U.S., the 2026 season also serves as the launchpad for its new Royal® Basmati Jute Bag and Royal® Chef’s Secret range brand refresh campaigns, rooted in a renewed commitment to sustainability, heritage, and authenticity.

Royal® is designated as the Unicorns’ Premium Partner for the duration of the MLC season, and will receive prominent branding opportunities across Unicorns’ apparel, media channels, and matchday signage and screens.

The Royal® brand will see its logo positioned on the San Francisco Unicorns’ upper leading arm of its matchday jersey, with similar placements on training kit, staff polos, and various merchandise. 

Royal® will once again return to host an activation area at what has become the go-to event for cricket fans in the Bay Area, the Family Day, using its household name recognition to connect with local communities and further champion cricket across Northern California.

By showing up in cricket, a space that authentically connects with South Asian audiences, Royal® is creating a 360° cultural moment. From stadium experiences to digital storytelling, the brand is weaving together food, sport, and sustainability into one cohesive narrative.

Throughout the season, Royal® will have a strong matchday presence, with prominent branding across the San Francisco Unicorns’ jerseys, training kits, and stadium signage. Beyond visibility, the partnership comes alive through fan-first engagement moments: from the return of the highly anticipated Family Day activation, to in-stadium experiences like jute bag and rice sample giveaways, branded foam fingers, and big-screen fan interactions.

Through matchday activations, giveaways, and creator collaborations tied to MLC, the Royal® Jute Bag is becoming a symbol of reuse and reinvention. Fans aren’t just taking the bag home and cooking meals for the family; they’re turning it into tote bags, storage pieces, and everyday fashion statements.

What was once a pantry essential is now part of a broader cultural and fashion moment, driven by a new generation that values both sustainability and self-expression.

David White, CEO of the San Francisco Unicorns, said: “We are honored to continue our relationship with Royal® for a third consecutive season. Their brand has become an integral part of our community and matchday experience, and we have bigger plans for MLC 2026 to maximise the impact of this collaboration.

“Between successful activations at previous Family Day events and ongoing content collaborations with our world-class talent, Royal® has been a top-tier partner in connecting us with local communities and the loyal buyers of its own products, and we look forward to yet another successful partnership this summer.”

Abhinav Arora, President at LT Foods America, added: “Royal® has always been a part of the South Asian household, from everyday meals, to moments of celebration. With the launch of our new Royal® Basmati jute bag campaign and refreshed brand identity, we’re bringing sustainability and storytelling to the forefront in a way that deeply resonates with our community. Cricket, much like food, is a powerful unifier for South Asian audiences around the world. Through our continued partnership with the San Francisco Unicorns, we’re proud to celebrate that shared passion — connecting culture and community, both on and off the field.”

San Francisco Unicorns’ MLC season begins on Friday, June 19, 2026 against LA Knight Riders at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, near Dallas, Texas, with the tournament culminating at Ashwin’s new home ground, the Oakland Coliseum, on Saturday, July 18, 2026.