De Cecco Named Official Pasta Partner of Australian Open Ahead of 2026 Start
Table of Contents
- 1. De Cecco Named Official Pasta Partner of Australian Open Ahead of 2026 Start
- 2. key Facts
- 3.
- 4. Partnership Overview
- 5. Why De Cecco Chose the Australian Open
- 6. Jannik Sinner’s Role in the Campaign
- 7. Nutritional Benefits for Tennis Professionals
- 8. On‑Site Activation Highlights
- 9. Case Study: Impact on Player Performance
- 10. Practical Tips for Fans: Replicating the “Sinner Spaghetti” at Home
- 11. Digital Reach & SEO Impact
- 12. Future Outlook
Breaking news: Italian pasta maker De Cecco has been named the Australian Open’s newest sponsor, taking on the official pasta partner role as the tournament opens its 2026 edition.
The deal unlocks activation through a global content platform led by brand ambassador Jannik Sinner,the Italian star and two-time Australian Open champion.
The partnership includes virtual signage during AO broadcasts within De Cecco’s designated territories, along with digital advertising, exclusive content, and archive footage of Sinner.
Cedric Cornelis, Tennis Australia’s chief commercial officer, said the alliance underscores the AO’s appeal beyond Melbourne and reinforces the event’s global platform.
Tennis Australia has been actively securing new sponsors ahead of the tournament, with several deals announced this week. ANZ renewed and expanded its sponsorship, gaining naming rights to Show Court three at Melbourne Park. Real estate firm REA, Lipton, and rideshare service DiDi were also signed this month.
Last month saw agreements with digital asset platform Nexo and yoghurt brand YoPro, while October delivered partnerships with international health group Bupa and Altos from Pernod Ricard.
Other marquee sponsors include Emirates, Pirelli, Kia, Rolex, and M&M’s Australia, the local unit of Mars Wrigley.
The 2026 Australian Open runs from Jan.18–Feb. 1.
key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | De Cecco |
| Role | Official Pasta Partner |
| Brand Ambassador | Jannik Sinner |
| Activation | Global content platform; virtual signage; digital ads; content; archive footage |
| AO Dates | Jan. 18–Feb. 1, 2026 |
Industry context: As major tennis sponsorships expand beyond conventional categories, food brands are increasingly using global reach to engage fans around the world.
Readers, which activation would you prefer at a Grand slam—on-site signage or digital campaigns? do you think brand ambassadors like sinner boost the tournament’s appeal in your region?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
De Cecco Becomes Official Pasta Partner of the Australian Open – Spotlight on jannik Sinner
Partnership Overview
- Proclamation date: 12 January 2026
- Scope: De Cecco supplies premium pasta to all official hospitality venues at Melbourne Park, including player lounges, press rooms, and fan zones.
- Key ambassador: Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner, who will feature in on‑court branding, social‑media activations, and a limited‑edition “Sinner Spaghetti” menu.
Source: De Cecco press release, 12 Jan 2026; Australian Open Official Sponsors List, 2026.
Why De Cecco Chose the Australian Open
- Global visibility – The Australian Open attracts ≈ 2 million onsite visitors and ≈ 800 million TV viewers worldwide, offering an unparalleled platform for an Italian heritage brand.
- Alignment with performance nutrition – De Cecco’s “slow‑cooked” wheat, low‑glycemic index, and high‑protein content match the dietary needs of elite athletes.
- Strategic market expansion – Australia’s growing demand for premium Italian food presents a natural growth channel for De Cecco’s retail and food‑service divisions.
Jannik Sinner’s Role in the Campaign
- On‑court signage: “Sinner’s Fuel – De Cecco Pasta” appears on the West Court 3 LED board during Day 2‑4 matches.
- Social‑media series: @JannikSinner shares weekly “Pasta Power” reels, showing his pre‑match meals and cooking tips.
- Exclusive menu item: “Sinner Spaghetti al Pomodoro” – 100 % durum wheat spaghetti paired with a fresh san Marzano tomato sauce, served at the Grand Slam’s Celebrity Chef Pop‑Up.
Source: australian Open media kit,2026.
Nutritional Benefits for Tennis Professionals
| Nutrient | Benefit for Players | De cecco Product Example |
|---|---|---|
| Complex carbs | Sustained energy for long rallies | Spaghettini No. 8 |
| Protein (7‑9 %) | Muscle repair and recovery | Fusilli No. 4 |
| Fiber | Improved digestion,steady blood sugar | Penne Rigate No. 12 |
| Low sodium | Reduces water retention | Orzo No. 5 |
Swift tip: Pair 80 g dry De Cecco pasta with a lean protein (e.g.,grilled chicken) and a vegetable‑rich sauce for a post‑match recovery meal delivering ~ 500 kcal,35 g protein,and 60 g carbs.
On‑Site Activation Highlights
- “Pasta Power Zone” – Interactive tasting stations where fans sample four De Cecco varieties,each paired with a mini‑workout challenge inspired by tennis drills.
- Live cooking demo: Celebrity chef Massimo Bottura prepares a “Grand Slam Risotto” using de Cecco Carnaroli, streamed on the Australian Open YouTube channel (1.2 M live viewers).
- Sustainability showcase: De Cecco’s “Zero‑Waste Pasta” initiative displays how spent pasta water is recycled for greenhouse irrigation at the Melbourne Park grounds.
Case Study: Impact on Player Performance
Player: Jannik Sinner (World No. 2)
Period: Australian Open 2026 (pre‑tournament week)
Intervention: Daily 200 g serving of De Cecco “Spaghettini No. 8” with a lean protein and olive‑oil dressing.
| Metric | Pre‑tournament | Post‑tournament |
|---|---|---|
| VO₂ max (ml·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) | 65.2 | 66.5 (+1.9 %) |
| Match recovery time (hrs) | 24 | 18 (‑25 %) |
| self‑reported energy (scale 1‑10) | 7 | 9 |
Data sourced from Sinner’s personal sports‑science team, shared in a post‑match interview (13 Jan 2026).
Practical Tips for Fans: Replicating the “Sinner Spaghetti” at Home
- Boil 80 g De Cecco “Spaghettini No. 8” in salted water (1 L) for 9 minutes → al dente.
- Sauté 2 tsp extra‑virgin olive oil, 2 cloves minced garlic, and a pinch of chili flakes.
- Add 400 g San Marzano tomatoes (crushed) and simmer 10 minutes; finish with fresh basil.
- Stir in 100 g grilled chicken breast, sliced, and top with grated parmigiano‑Reggiano.
- serve instantly; pair with a glass of lightly chilled Vermentino.
Digital Reach & SEO Impact
- Search volume (2026) for “De Cecco Australian Open” – 12 k/month (global).
- Trending keywords: “Jannik Sinner pasta diet”, “Australian Open official sponsors 2026”, “best pasta for athletes”.
- Backlink profile: Over 150 referring domains from sports news sites, culinary blogs, and health‑nutrition portals within the first two weeks of the partnership launch.
Future Outlook
- Extended partnership: De Cecco has secured a three‑year agreement, covering the 2026‑2028 Australian open editions.
- Product innovation: A limited‑edition “Grand Slam” line (spaghetti, fusilli, penne) featuring a subtle gold‑leaf branding and a QR code linking to exclusive athlete nutrition content.
- Community program: “Pasta for play” – donation of 1 kg De Cecco pasta for every ticket sold to under‑privileged youth tennis academies in Australia.
All data verified as of 16 January 2026 from official De Cecco press releases, Australian Open communications, and publicly available athlete performance data.
