As part of the match between the Chilean national team and Hong Kong, China, in the 2026 World Rugby U20 Challenger, Chile Rugby and Marca Chile signed a partnership agreement aimed at strengthening the country’s international profile through rugby and its players.
The partnership includes outreach and content creation initiatives, along with support from Marca Chile through audiovisual material and its various platforms and communication channels. In this way, the competitions and activities in which Chilean rugby participates also serve as opportunities to introduce the country to new international audiences, at a time when the sport has been achieving strong results.
To name just one example, the Chilean national team, also known as Los Cóndores, climbed to 17th place in the World Rugby global rankings (its highest position ever) and was officially promoted to Tier 2, which includes the most developed nations in emerging rugby.
In addition, milestones such as consecutive qualifiers for the 2023 and 2027 World Cups, hosting the 2026 Americas Rugby Championship, and winning the silver medal in rugby sevens at the 2026 Odesur Games in Santa Fe—among other achievements—will help promote the Chile brand to a wide international audience.
Enzo Abbagliati, acting executive director of Marca Chile, stated: “This agreement is of the utmost importance for promoting Chile around the world, as Chilean rugby is one of our ambassadors—not only in the sporting arena but also in terms of the image we want to project internationally, with values such as resilience, sacrifice, and collaboration. In some cases, Chile’s only point of contact with international audiences is through sports, which is why we believe this new partnership is so important.”
For his part, Cristian Rudloff, president of Chile Rugby, said : “We are very happy and proud of this partnership and of being part of Chile’s image. Sports are a force for social cohesion that unites us and represents us. That is why we are delighted to partner with Marca Chile, which also gives us a great responsibility to continue showcasing our country to the world and to ensure that our athletes continue to proudly defend the red jersey.”
The Flight of the Condors
The international reach of this sport extends beyond the participation of national teams. Hosting international competitions has also allowed Chile to demonstrate its capabilities as a sports host, from the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago to the 2026 Americas Rugby Championship and the current World Rugby U20 Challenger.
In the coming years, Chilean rugby will face new challenges on the global stage. Among these is the participation of Los Cóndores in the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, marking the national team’s second consecutive appearance at the sport’s premier international event. The tournament will provide a new opportunity for national players and teams to expand their international presence and for Chile to once again be represented before a global audience.
This connection is also reflected in“Somos Chile,”the permanent exhibition organized by Marca Chile and the Santiago Airport, where Los Cóndores are among the first group of individuals and organizations recognized for their achievements, dedication, and contributions to the country.
