Sponsorship deal agreed for renaming of Headingley Stadium

A sponsorship deal has been agreed for the renaming of Headingley Stadium.

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Leeds Rhinos have announced that Bingley-based Emerald Group has acquired the naming rights to the stadium, in addition to a range of commercial, community and charitable benefits.

The deal kicks in on November 1, 2017 and gives the publishing group a naming rights partnership with the two sporting Clubs.

This will see the unique complex, home to rugby league side Leeds Rhinos, rugby union side Yorkshire Carnegie and The Yorkshire County Cricket Club, renamed as the Emerald Headingley Stadium. The stadia will also be named independently as Emerald Headingley Cricket Ground and Emerald Headingley Rugby Stadium.

For Emerald Group, this agreement includes stadium naming rights and opportunities for charities to engage with cricket and rugby for the benefit of the local community.

The deal also includes the naming of the new North-South stand as the Emerald Stand upon completion of its redevelopment in 2019.

The 450-seater banqueting suite will be called the Emerald Suite.

The agreement supports the start of major redevelopment plans.

Leeds Rhinos have also revealed that demolition will now begin on the iconic South Stand at the end of August this year followed by the Main Stand at the end of the current Super League season.