PHILADELPHIA (JAN. 29, 2026) – The Penn Relays, one of the most historic and prestigious track & field events in the world, today announced a multiyear renewal of its partnership with Swiss premium sportswear brand On. The agreement reaffirms On as the Exclusive Footwear and Apparel Sponsor of the Penn Relays, as the event celebrates its 130th running at historic Franklin Field on the University of Pennsylvania campus from April 23-25, 2026.
 
Each year, the Penn Relays bring together more than 100,000 fans and 17,000 athletes across youth, high school, Special Olympics, college, masters, and Olympic Development competition, creating one of the largest gatherings of the running community anywhere in the world. Building on a successful partnership initially launched in 2022, the multiyear renewal extends through the lead-up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, a period of heightened attention and momentum for the sport. By joining forces again, the Penn Relays and On extend a relationship that combines top-tier competition and visibility with a performance-driven brand, reinforcing the natural alignment of both within the track & field landscape.
 
"We are thrilled to continue our outstanding partnership with On as the Exclusive Footwear and Apparel Sponsor of the Penn Relays," said Scott Ward, Executive Director of the Penn Relays. "The Penn Relays bring together athletes of all levels from all over the world. By combining two brands deeply committed to performance and the track & field community, this partnership continues to elevate the onsite experience while celebrating the sport at its very best."
 
On's renewal strengthens integration across brand activations, athlete engagement, and community initiatives, building on the success of the previous partnership to deliver an even richer experience for fans and competitors alike. Central to the agreement is an expanded retail footprint, featuring two large-scale activations: one in the Carnival Village for fans and another in the Athlete Zone at Penn Park, where competitors warm up, prepare for, and recover from the intensity of competition.
 
Matching partnership with performance, On's involvement extends beyond activation through its elite On Athletic Club (OAC), a collective of world-class professional athletes who regularly compete on the Penn Relays stage. OAC's presence reflects On's deep integration within the Penn Relays and reinforces the brand's credibility as a performance-driven company developing products tested and proven at the highest levels of the sport.
 
"The Penn Relays is one of those special events in sport that has the power to unite generations of athletes across ages, disciplines, and origins," said Dan Schade, GM of the Americas at On. "Stepping onto historic Franklin Field is a lot like reaching back through time, where you can feel the presence of the thousands of runners who have competed there since Penn was founded. Since partnering with Penn, we have seen the incredible impact this event has had, and are thrilled to continue inspiring and supporting the next generation of athletes as they build their own legacies."
 
Beyond the Penn Relays, On's partnership will also extend across additional Penn Relays-owned events including the annual Winter Showcase (January 31, 2026), Summer Showcase (July), and Homecoming Run (November). These touchpoints provide year-round visibility and engagement with a highly passionate and loyal Penn Relays running audience.
 
Developed in collaboration with JMI Sports – the exclusive multimedia rights partner of Penn Athletics and the Penn Relays, operating locally as Penn Sports Properties – the partnership will also include a range of integrated multimedia assets to bring the brand to life in unique ways and connect with athletes and fans.
 
"Over the last three years, our partnership with On has developed into an onsite experience that athletes and fans eagerly look forward to," said Adam Donaldson, Senior Vice President, JMIS Properties at JMI Sports. "From listening to DJs at the retail activations, to watching OAC's pro athletes compete on the track, to trialing the latest performance wear, On shows up in ways that authentically integrate its brand into the energy and excitement of the weekend. This partnership is a blueprint for true brand integration, and we are thrilled to see them return."
 
Tickets for the 2026 Penn Relays will be available starting February 9, 2026. For more information on how to purchase, click here. 
 
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About On
 
On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Sixteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On's award-winning CloudTec® and LightSpray™ innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.


On is present in more than 80 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.
 
About the Penn Relays
 
 The Penn Relays is part of the Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of  Pennsylvania which is a broad-based division comprising 33 intercollegiate teams, 35 club sport teams, and expansive intramural sport and campus recreation programs, all taking place within 22 athletics and recreational facilities. The facilities are contained within a contiguous 24-acre footprint at the eastern end of campus, commonly thought to be one of the best athletics infrastructures among urban campuses, with assets such as Franklin Field, the Palestra, and Penn Park.  The Penn Relays, the oldest and largest relay competition held in the US, typically attracts more than 17,000 competitors and 100,000 spectators each spring during the last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in April.  
 
About JMI Sports
 
JMI Sports is a leading media rights and venue development company that provides management of collegiate multimedia rights, sponsorship sales agency representation, and project management expertise for the development of collegiate and professional sports facilities. The company serves to maximize each client's economic potential through customized initiatives, from marketing and branding solutions to facility design strategies.
 
JMI Sports' signature collegiate multimedia rights partnerships include the University of Kentucky, the University of Utah, UCLA, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, Harvard University, DePaul University, Columbia University, San Diego State University, University of California at San Diego, University of San Diego, and joint-venture properties at the University of Georgia (with Learfield) and University of Notre Dame (with Legends). JMI Sports also represents multimedia rights for several conferences, including the Ivy League, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, the Patriot League, and the Atlantic 10, and serves as third-party sales representation for premier sports properties, venues, and events including the Breeders' Cup, Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center, the Rose Bowl, and the Penn Relays.
 
JMI Sports was founded in 2006 by CEO Erik Judson and technology entrepreneur John Moores, former owner of the San Diego Padres. To learn more, please visit www.jmisports.com.
 
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