St George Illawarra will need a new major sponsor on the famous Red V in 2027, with renewable energy company Squadron Energy bringing its three-year partnership with the Dragons to a close.
The club confirmed the end of the deal on Sunday, with chief executive Tim Watsford thanking Squadron Energy as the two prepare for one final Regional Blitz through southern NSW on October 26-27, according to the Dragons.
The three-year, $3.6 million deal ends on November 1, and the Dragons will be seeking at least $1.2 million a season for the front of their jersey, Fox Sports reported.
What the Dragons said
“Squadron Energy has been far more than a name on our jersey over the past three years. As our major partner, they’ve embraced the opportunity to make a genuine difference through rugby league, and we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together,” Watsford said.
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“As we conclude this chapter of our partnership, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone at Squadron Energy for their support and contribution to the Dragons,” he said.
Squadron Energy chief executive Rob Wheals said the deal had given the company a chance to connect with communities “in a way that went beyond traditional sponsorship”.
“We’re grateful to the Dragons for the partnership and proud of the impact we’ve made together,” Wheals said.
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Race to fill the Red V
The Dragons will be looking for only their fourth major sponsor in nearly 30 years, following a long stint with St George Bank, according to Fox Sports. The club is confident of locking in a new partner before the end of the year, but won’t rush into a deal unless the right one comes along, Fox Sports reported.
With 2027 jerseys due out before Christmas, the commercial team is under pressure to get a deal done. If it can’t, the Dragons would be the first club to run out without a major sponsor since Canterbury-Bankstown in 2020, B&T reported.
Squadron Energy gave up its front-of-jersey branding in 2026 so the club’s Indigenous jersey artwork could be shown in full. Across the partnership, the club and Squadron Energy delivered 82 school engagements reaching 6,431 students, the Dragons said.
Rebuild under Dean Young
The sponsor search comes after a horror 2026 in which the Dragons finished with the wooden spoon. Dean Young was appointed head coach in July, and Keaon Koloamatangi, Scott Drinkwater, Luke Metcalf, Kodi Nikorima, Connor Watson and Phil Sami are among the players joining the club for 2027, Fox Sports reported.
The club’s final Regional Blitz with Squadron Energy will run from Darlington Point to Deniliquin, taking in 10 schools and the partnership’s seventh Win the Morning Walk.
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