The Royal Ballet will take to the world stage in 2026 with Bank of America as its Official Touring Partner, in a landmark collaboration designed to expand the Company’s international reach and deepen cultural ties across Asia.
Announced today by Royal Ballet and Opera, the partnership will support a major overseas tour spanning Singapore and Japan, bringing British ballet at its finest to global audiences.
The 2026 programme opens with four gala performances at the Esplanade in Singapore (26–28 June), before moving to Tokyo. There, Frederick Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée will be staged at Lilia Hall (3–5 July), followed by Peter Wright’s celebrated production of Giselle at NHK Hall (10–12 July).
The agreement marks Bank of America’s first partnership of this kind with a leading European dance company. It reflects a broader alignment between public and private investment in the arts – combining government backing with corporate philanthropy to strengthen cultural exchange between the UK, Japan and Singapore, where the bank has long-established operations.
For The Royal Ballet, the tour represents more than a series of performances. It is an opportunity to present a company widely regarded as a global benchmark for classical and contemporary dance – from cherished British repertory to newer commissions that continue to test the art form’s boundaries.
The partnership also carries a community focus. In collaboration with Bank of America, the Company’s Learning and Participation team will work with young people from disadvantaged communities in Japan, offering workshops and engagement opportunities designed to make dance more accessible and to nurture future creative talent.
Kevin O’Hare, Director of The Royal Ballet, said the support was critical to the Company’s international ambitions.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bank of America as our Official Touring Partner. Their support ensures we can continue to bring the beauty and excellence of The Royal Ballet to audiences worldwide, while also creating meaningful opportunities for communities to engage with the arts.”
Arts Minister Ian Murray welcomed the announcement as an example of philanthropy strengthening Britain’s cultural footprint abroad.
“As a government we are clear that philanthropy plays a vital role in complementing public funding and supporting our finest institutions to thrive,” he said.
“Alongside the £1.5 billion we’ve already committed to UK arts and culture across this parliament, we’re growing the impact of British culture on the world stage – showcasing the talent and expertise of UK performing arts professionals and promoting our values, all while supporting jobs at home.”
Andrea Sullivan, International Executive in Bank of America’s Global Community Opportunity Group, said the partnership aligned with the bank’s commitment to cross-cultural engagement.
“Our new partnership with The Royal Ballet, to support their 2026 Tour in Singapore and Japan, reflects Bank of America’s commitment to supporting meaningful cross-cultural exchange. We are proud to champion a creative sector that drives growth and transforms lives – and to align with public investment to maximise sector-wide impact.”
For The Royal Ballet, the 2026 tour will be both a showcase and a statement: British dance travelling confidently outward, backed by a partnership that underscores the growing interplay between culture, diplomacy and investment.
