Sprite Partners with India’s First Private Train for Six-Month Brand Association

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has awarded train branding advertising rights for the Lucknow–Delhi–Lucknow Tejas Express to Sprite for six months, making it the first train in India to be named after a brand.

As part of the arrangement, the IRCTC Tejas Express, operating as Train 82501/82502, will be announced as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express at originating and en-route stations on both sides of the journey. The branding will be in place from August 19 to November 11, 2026.

The advertising rights have been awarded to Sprite through a Letter of Acceptance (LoA). The initiative marks a new format for brand visibility within the Indian Railways ecosystem, where exterior advertising wraps have previously been permitted on regular trains as an income-generating measure.

Lucknow–Delhi Tejas Express

The Lucknow–Delhi Tejas Express was flagged off in December 2021 and is an air-conditioned superfast train operated by IRCTC.

The service offers onboard food, beverage and infotainment facilities, along with group booking options for events including corporate meetings, marriages and social gatherings.

First Train to Be Named After a Brand

According to a senior Railways official, this is the first time a train is being named after a brand.

While the Tejas Express is operated by IRCTC, the company pays Indian Railways hauling charges for the use of railway infrastructure, including tracks and stations.

The Sprite association represents a new opportunity for brands to integrate themselves into the railway travel experience, combining train branding with visibility across stations and the wider passenger journey.