Sprite is taking its branding beyond conventional advertising formats, with the beverage brand securing naming and branding rights for the Lucknow–Delhi–Lucknow Tejas Express.
Under the arrangement with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), Train 82501/82502 will be announced as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ from August 19, 2026. The branding arrangement is for six months, with station announcements carrying the new name during the period.
As per media reports the move makes the Tejas Express the first train in India to be named after a commercial brand, according to a senior Railway official.
The advertising rights were awarded to Sprite through a Letter of Acceptance issued by IRCTC.
Unlike conventional train advertising, where brands typically use exterior wraps or other advertising spaces on coaches, the Sprite deal takes the branding a step further by making the brand part of the train’s public identity.
The train will be announced as the Sprite Tejas Express at its originating and en-route stations in both directions. The arrangement also creates a new form of visibility for Sprite, placing the brand across a passenger journey rather than restricting it to a conventional advertising placement.
The branding applies to the Lucknow–Delhi–Lucknow Tejas Express, an air-conditioned superfast service operated by IRCTC.
The train was launched in December 2021 and operates between Lucknow and New Delhi. It offers onboard food and beverage services, infotainment and group-booking options for occasions including corporate meetings, weddings and other social gatherings.
As an IRCTC-operated train, the service uses Indian Railways’ infrastructure, including tracks and stations, for which IRCTC pays applicable hauling charges.
With the Sprite Tejas Express set to begin operations under its new name from August 19, the deal could also open the door for more brands to explore naming and identity-led partnerships across India’s transport infrastructure.
FAQs
- Which train is being branded as the Sprite Tejas Express?
The Lucknow–Delhi–Lucknow Tejas Express will operate as the ‘Sprite Tejas Express’ under the branding arrangement. - When will the Sprite Tejas Express start?
The train will begin using the Sprite branding from August 19, 2026. - Is the Sprite Tejas Express a privately owned train?
The Tejas Express is operated by IRCTC. The Sprite arrangement is a commercial branding and advertising partnership, not a transfer of train ownership. - Why is the Sprite Tejas Express significant?
It marks the first time an Indian train is being named after a commercial brand as part of a branding arrangement. - How long will the Sprite branding continue?
The branding rights have been awarded for six months, with the train scheduled to be announced as the Sprite Tejas Express from August 19 to November 11, 2026, according to railway communications reported by afaqs!.
