Bristol Bears and Foot Anstey unite in groundbreaking Principal Partnership deal

Leading national law firm Foot Anstey is proud to announce a landmark, long-term partnership with Prem Rugby Club Bristol Bears, marking a new era of collaboration both on and off the pitch.

Foot Anstey will become the club’s new Principal Partner from the 2026/27 season, with shirt branding for both the men’s and women's teams.

The multi-year agreement represents one of the most progressive partnerships in the club’s history, aligning two ambitious organisations with shared values around growth, high performance and team delivery, together with their vision for excellence, innovation, and meaningful community engagement.

In a significant expansion of the Principal Partner relationship, and in line with the firm's focus on responsible business, Foot Anstey will also become the Principal Partner of the Bristol Bears Foundation - the club’s award-winning charitable arm - reflecting a shared commitment to creating positive social change.

Off the pitch, Foot Anstey also becomes the Bears' preferred exclusive provider of legal services, providing a full range of legal solutions to the club and its players over the term of the partnership.

Foot Anstey Managing Partner, Martin Hirst, said: 'Our partnership with Bristol Bears is built on a shared belief in the impact individuals can have when they come together as a team.

'From our earliest conversations, it was clear this is more than sponsorship, it’s about bringing together two ambitious organisations to drive performance, support our communities and create lasting impact. This reflects how we work as a firm: building strong relationships, working collaboratively and focusing on what really matters to our clients and to the communities around us.

'Sport has a unique ability to bring people together and create momentum. We’re excited about what we can achieve, alongside Bristol Bears and the Bristol Bears Foundation, over the coming years.'

Bristol Bears Chief Executive Tom Tainton said: 'This is a groundbreaking moment for the club and we are delighted to welcome Foot Anstey into the Bears family. From the beginning of this process, Foot Anstey has been an excellent partner – collaborative, engaging and genuinely excited about using the power of sport to leave a lasting legacy.

'Having Foot Anstey's name on our shirts is about far more than a business agreement; it is a statement of intent about our aligned growth journeys. This authentic partnership represents a shared set of values and a long-term commitment to driving success across our men's, women's and community programmes.

'Foot Anstey's support of the Bristol Bears Foundation is particularly significant, enabling us to expand our reach and deepen our impact within the communities we serve.

'We look forward to achieving great things together over the coming years.'