Sport

Liberty Stadium becomes Swansea.com stadium in new seven-figure naming rights deal

Published

2 years ago

9th August 2021

Editor

Swansea City football club has announced a brand new naming deal for its stadium with the Liberty Stadium name being dropped.

The new 10-year agreement sees Swansea.com take over from Liberty Properties plc as the stadium’s title sponsor. The deal will see Swansea City and the Ospreys represent our city and region by stepping out to play at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The stadium has been known as the Liberty Stadium since its opening in 2005.

Swansea.com is a trading company based in Swansea. It has several investments across different sectors including travel, hospitality, real estate and sports. Swansea.com is proud to be based in Swansea, employing local people in the city in which it invests, and has done for the last 30 years.

It is the latest chapter in the relationship between the two companies. Many of Swansea.com’s businesses have been involved with the club over the last two decades and more.

This began with the sponsorship of a stand at the Vetch Field in 1998, through to appearing on the front of the club’s shirt from 2001 to 2009, with Swansea.com itself holding that position from 2007 to 2009.

The club has been looking for a new naming rights partner for the stadium since it signed a 37-year lease for the stadium in February 2018 with the aim of growing the club commercially.

A number of global businesses, including those in the travel, gambling and cryptocurrency sectors were reported to have been interested in the naming rights.

The club has instead moved to a more local focus in their partnerships, including having Swansea University as front of shirt sponsor.

The new seven-figure Swansea.com deal gives the club additional financial security at a challenging time.

**The swansea.com stadium** (Image: Swansea City FC)

Swansea City chief executive, Julian Winter said: “I am delighted that we, as a club, are able to announce this naming rights deal for the stadium,”

“I am proud of the work we have done as a club when it comes to focusing on our local area and community.

“This football club prides itself on its place at the heart of the community it represents, and adding to our portfolio of local business sponsors and partners is another indicator of our commitment to our city.

“We welcome Swansea.com as our new naming rights partner, and we look forward to a successful period – on and off the pitch – over the next 10 years.”

“From a commercial point of view the main focus has been to drive the commercial longevity of the business and financially futureproof the football club,” said Swansea City’s head of commercial, Rebecca Edwards-Symmons.

“A key part of that has been to find a stadium naming rights partner whose values match our own, and a deal that represents a significant commitment and financial boost to the club following what has been a difficult time at all levels of the game amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

“That we have been able to reach agreement with a Swansea-based company makes total sense for us as a football club, and aligns with our desire to accentuate the links we already have with numerous businesses and partners within our city and surrounding area.

“We look forward to what we hope will be a successful future with Swansea City playing at the Swansea.com Stadium.”

**The stadium has been known as the Liberty Stadium since 2005** (Image: Swansea City FC)

Swansea.com’s group managing director Jacob Hughes said: “It is an honour and privilege to continue our investment into Swansea City with this 10-year commitment through the stadium naming rights.

“With many of our businesses being based in Swansea, employing local people, we feel the opportunity to further our partnership with the club is amazing. Over the last 20 years the business has worked hard to invest in the city and its surrounding areas.”

Ospreys CEO, Nick Garcia added: “Competing in the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup takes the Ospreys and our supporters around the world, with matches in seven countries across two hemispheres.

“However, nothing makes us happier than hosting global rugby supporters and clubs, where they can meet our supporters and partners at our home in Swansea. Swansea.com is a great brand that aligns with our roots and will be familiar to many of our supporters.

“We’re delighted to have them as the new title partner of the stadium and look forward to working with them to build the best rugby matchday experience across the two competitions.”

Cllr Rob Stewart, leader of Swansea Council, said: “I’m delighted our stadium has a name that reflects our wonderful city and a company that has invested in Swansea and its people.

“This long-term commitment will ensure we continue to grow the relationship between the stadium, its football and rugby teams and the people of Swansea.”

(Lead image: Geograph / Jaggery)