Is Subway sponsoring Love Island Australia? Details explored

Subway Logo In Mexico City - Source: Getty
Subway Logo In Mexico City - Source: Getty

Subway has officially partnered with Love Island Australia for the first time, joining several other brands in sponsoring the hit Nine reality dating series. Subway’s jumping into the Love Island Australia chaos with its first-ever villa collab, and it’s honestly kind of genius. There’s a full-on Subway Pool Party, complete with a game called Spin the Sub and even a beauty pageant twist dubbed Mr. Sublime. Specsavers also joined the fun for the first time, turning up with contact lenses all over the villa and a cheeky optometry challenge called I Can See Clearly Now. Between the sandwiches and the sight tests, this season’s basically serving love, drama, and 20/20 vision.

Returning sponsors Rimmel and LYNX have expanded their presence this season, while beverage brands Besa and NEFT provide drinks for villa parties. The sponsorships come as the program sees record-breaking popularity, with the season 7 opening episode receiving 658,000 viewers, which is an 18% rise year on year and the highest-rated debut in franchise history on 9Now. The first four episodes attracted more than one million Australians, with approximately 60% of viewers under the age of 40. Sarah Stewart, Nine's director of content partnerships, stated that the program provides marketers with exclusive access to hard-to-reach consumers via influencer cast members who effortlessly incorporate goods while extending brand effect across social platforms.

Love Island Australia’s sponsorships and integrations explored

Subway's first-ever Love Island Australia partnership features multiple touchpoints throughout the season. The sandwich chain is hosting a specially branded Subway Pool Party where contestants will participate in a custom game called Spin the Sub. The brand is also putting its name behind the Men's Pageant, an annual villa event now rebranded as Mr. Sublime. This integration allows Subway to become part of one of the season's most anticipated moments.

Adding another layer to the Love Island Australia partnership, host Sophie Monk is providing voiceover work for Subway television commercials. These spots will air during Love Island Australia's broadcast timing, creating cohesive brand messaging.

Specsavers' Contact Lenses division has secured prominent placement throughout the villa spaces. Their products will be visible in various scenes as contestants go about their daily routines. The eyewear company is also sponsoring a themed challenge titled "I Can See Clearly Now." This optometry-focused competition allows Specsavers to integrate its brand message into villa activities naturally. First-time sponsorships from both Subway and Specsavers demonstrate the show's growing appeal to major Australian brands seeking youth audience engagement.

Besa mi vino, wine seltzer, and NEFT Vodka have signed on to provide drinks for villa parties. Love Island Australia contestants will enjoy their cocktails during steamy poolside gatherings featured throughout the season.

Rimmel returns for its second season with products displayed in the Girls' Glam Room. The makeup brand has introduced Get Ready Cam segments where female contestants demonstrate how they use Rimmel products in their beauty routines. LYNX has elevated its presence beyond last season's appearance. While the men's fragrance brand still occupies space on the boys' bedroom dresser, it now features more prominently before dates and challenges.

Why the sudden brand interest?

The season 7 premiere delivered impressive numbers for Nine. Last Monday's launch episode recorded 658,000 total TV viewers, marking an 18 percent increase compared to the previous year.

This premiere became the highest-rated launch episode on 9Now in the franchise's entire history. The first four episodes collectively reached over one million Australian viewers. The audience demographic proves particularly valuable for advertisers. Nearly 60 percent of viewers fall under age 40, representing the notoriously difficult-to-reach younger demographic.

Season 7 viewership on 9Now has surged 65 percent year-over-year. This massive growth explains why brands are eager to secure integration opportunities within the show's content and across cast members' social media platforms.


Watch Love Island Australia streaming now on 9Now in Australia and on Hulu in the U.S.

Edited by Sroban Ghosh