Bookmaker Hollywoodbets has agreed a five-year deal with the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union (KZNCU) to acquire naming rights to Kingsmead Stadium, one of South Africa’s leading cricket venues.
Hollywoodbets has been involved in cricket sponsorship in the province for the past four seasons and the new agreement will extend this association until at least August 2024.
The deal has been struck as the 25,000-capacity ground has been undergoing a major revamp ahead of a 2019-20 season in which the Durban venue will host one-day international and Twenty20 games between South Africa and England, as well as domestic cricket for local teams the Dolphins and Durban Heat, the former of which it also title sponsors.
Kingsmead, which will now be known as Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, has a rich history which includes the famous ‘Timeless Test’ between South Africa and England in 1939, as well as being the first ground in South Africa to host a Test match, post-isolation, when South Africa played India in 1992.
Hollywoodbets media and communications executive, Devin Heffer, said: “Our first step into cricket started in the 2015-16 season as associate sponsors of the then Sunfoil Dolphins, and then becoming title sponsors the following year. The decision to take over naming rights of Kingsmead has a lot to do with the incredible team at the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union.
“Led by CEO Heinrich Strydom, KZNCU in the last two years has seen positive and dramatic changes in the running of the union, as well as welcome upgrades to the stadium and its facilities. We want Test cricket back at Kingsmead. But most importantly, we want the fans back at Kingsmead. Our goal is to make Kingsmead the place to be for every cricketing occasion.
“This stadium is indisputably one of the most iconic grounds in world cricket. There is also a lot of work going into reviving and showcasing the history of Kingsmead.”
Image: KZNCU
Share this