Emirates buys naming rights to UK sports arena

Emirates Airline has announced a major sponsorship deal in Glasgow, Scotland that includes naming rights for the city's new £113m world class sports arena.

The multi-million pound sponsorship with Glasgow City Council will see the sports facility being named the Emirates Arena. 

The ten-year partnership will enable the airline to strengthen its presence in Glasgow with prominent branding on and throughout the Emirates Arena, the Dubai airline said in a statement.

The indoor arena will have 6,500 spectator seats when set up for sporting competitions, while the velodrome will have a permanent capacity for 2,000 seated and 500 standing spectators viewing the 250-metre cycle track.

The facility will be a national training centre for athletics, basketball, netball, track cycling and volleyball, and will include Scotland’s first dedicated indoor velodrome, providing elite training and an international competition standard venue.

Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ senior vice president Commercial Operations Europe, said: "We are committed to connecting people and cultures and this new sponsorship in Glasgow is a true reflection of this commitment.

"We sponsor a number of the world’s most prominent international sporting and cultural events and this multi-million pound agreement will not only help to inject significant funds into the Glasgow economy, but will also highlight Glasgow’s place on the international sporting stage."

The Emirates Arena will open its doors for the first time on October 5 and in its first four months of operation, will play host to eight Scottish, European and world level sporting events.

Emirates has a long history of supporting sport both in the UK and worldwide, including The International Cricket Council, the FIFA World Cup, the 2012 Ryder Cup and the Arsenal Football team at the Emirates Stadium in London.

"This is a fantastic deal for the people of Glasgow,” said Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow City Council.

“Many of the world's top sports venues already enjoy the considerable benefits and prestige secured through a naming rights agreement and this partnership with Emirates puts us firmly in that elite group... Over the next 10 years this multi-million pound deal will leave a lasting legacy."