Kia Celebrates 25 Years of Partnership and Innovation at Australian Open 2026 with World Advertising Initiatives

Kia Company right this moment introduced the launch of its international ‘Transfer Completely different’ marketing campaign to have fun the twenty fifth anniversary of its partnership with the Australian Open (AO26). The initiative highlights Kia’s management in electrification, introduces PV5 Cargo, and delivers unique fan experiences that includes Kia’s international model ambassador Rafael Nadal.

What’s Kia celebrating at AO26?

Since 2002, Kia has been the Main Accomplice of the Australian Open, supporting its development into one of many world’s most prestigious sporting occasions. To commemorate 25 years of partnership, Kia unveils the worldwide ‘Transfer Completely different’ marketing campaign with the Kia EV4 because the hero mannequin. The model will launch a digital content material collection titled ‘25 Years of Motion’ spotlighting Kia Ballkids, official fleet drivers, and tennis legend Rafael Nadal, whereas delivering interactive EV experiences throughout Melbourne Park.

Ho Sung Track, President and CEO of Kia, stated: “This yr marks a major milestone for Kia as we have fun 25 years of partnership with the Australian Open— one of many world’s most iconic and inspirational sporting occasions.

We’re proud to commemorate a quarter-century of collaboration that displays our shared dedication to innovation and excellence. This event shouldn’t be solely a possibility to have fun the Australian Open’s unimaginable journey of development as a worldwide occasion, but in addition to reaffirm Kia’s mission to allow our clients to maneuver in another way by means of the availability of sustainable mobility options.”

Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia CEO, stated: “Kia has been an integral associate of the Australian Open for 25 years, a milestone that represents far more than simply longevity. This can be a really collaborative relationship constructed on shared values, and collectively we’ve regularly pushed the boundaries of innovation, efficiency, and fan expertise, each right here in Melbourne and all over the world. From taking part in an important position in our match transport operations, to creating new methods for followers to attach with the occasion globally, Kia has performed a pivotal position in serving to us develop the Australian Open into the world‑class sporting and leisure spectacle it’s right this moment.”

How is Kia selling sustainable mobility?

Kia gives 130 official participant match automobiles for AO26, reinforcing its electrification technique and the occasion’s sustainability objectives:

• 55 electrical automobiles (EVs); 30 models of EV9 and 25 models of EV5
• 75 hybrid automobiles; 50 models of Carnival Hybrid and 25 models of Sportage Hybrid

The official handover ceremony came about right this moment earlier than the finals of qualifying for the AO 1 Level Slam Pushed by Kia, a sudden-death tennis competitors held throughout Australian Open Opening Week the place every match is set by a single level.

This yr’s participant fleet represents the best EV proportion in Australian Open historical past, with EVs surpassing 40%. Kia first launched EVs to the AO official fleet in 2024. In 2025, the fleet comprised solely EVs and hybrids. For 2026, Kia expands EV presence additional, signaling regular progress towards sustainable mobility at main international occasions.

Kia has additionally provided extra operational automobiles to help the rising scale of the Grand Slam Occasion.

Which automobiles and improvements are featured?

Kia showcases the PV5 Cargo in Australia—the model’s first all-electric Platform Past Automobile (PBV) designed for versatility and sustainability. The PV5 was named the 2026 Worldwide Van of the 12 months (IVOTY), essentially the most prestigious award for mild business automobiles.

Alongside PV5 Cargo, Kia shows its core EV portfolio—EV4, EV5, EV6, and EV9—at Melbourne Park. Guests can discover EV showcase cubicles that includes interactive know-how shows and sustainability insights. The marketing campaign highlights the EV4, Kia’s newest international electrical automobile, reflecting the model’s dedication to increasing sustainable mobility choices.

How is Kia partaking followers and international audiences?

The Australian Open 2026 principal draw runs from January 18 to February 1, that includes males’s and girls’s singles, doubles, and blended doubles competitors. The match culminates with the ladies’s singles ultimate on January 31 and the lads’s singles ultimate on February 1.

Kia’s fan engagement facilities on milestone experiences and international storytelling:

• January 31: Kia presents Rafael Nadal with a bespoke EV9 Artwork Automobile impressed by his AO championship years (2009 and 2022). The Artwork Automobile stays on show at Melbourne Park all through the match.
• February 1: Nadal joins Ash Barty and Dylan Alcott at Kia Enviornment for ‘Night time of Legends,’ an unique fan occasion that includes interactive periods and dwell discussions. This particular occasion celebrates Kia’s 25-year partnership with the Australian Open, honoring the model’s legacy and ongoing dedication to tennis followers.
• Kia and AO launch ‘25 Years of Motion’, a digital collection that celebrates their shared journey and options tales from Nadal, Kia Ballkids, and official fleet drivers.

Kia will invite over 150 company from over 25 international locations, together with EV clients, influencers and enterprise companions, to expertise the Australian Open and Kia’s model activations.

• 90 Kia clients who’ve test-driven and bought a Kia EV, chosen by means of promotional actions, will view AO26 matches and luxuriate in excursions of Melbourne.
• 15 influencer groups from 12 international locations will obtain Kia EVs for collaborative content material creation in the course of the occasion.
• 20 Ballkids chosen from kids of Kia clients in Korea will take part as official Ballkids of AO26 and expertise Melbourne tradition excursions.