DHL is reported to have secured the naming rights to Cape Town Stadium ahead of the arrival of the Western Province and Stormers rugby teams in 2021.
The deal between the multinational logistics and delivery operator and the stadium built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup is believed to be worth R111m ($6.8m), effective for four years from January 1, 2021.
While no official statement has yet been made, Ian Neilson, Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor, told Netwerk24 that a deal had been struck. The arena will be known as DHL Stadium.
DHL currently holds the naming rights to the historic Newlands stadium, which is due to be demolished next year. It is already the title sponsor of the DHL Stormers, who play in the Super Rugby international club competition.
Western Province and its Stormers sister club both currently play at Newlands. The former have played at the 52,000-capacity arena since the late 19th century.
The 58,000-seat Cape Town Stadium was built at a reported cost of $600m and completed shortly before South Africa 2010. It hosted eight games, including the semi-final between the Netherlands and Uruguay, Germany’s quarter-final defeat of Argentina and England’s 0-0 draw with Algeria in the group stages.
In the years since it has been the home ground of South African top-tier football team Cape Town City, although average crowds have been just a fraction of the stadium’s huge capacity. It is scheduled to host a Lions versus South Africa game next year and has staged the South Africa Sevens since 2015.
The stadium has also staged concerts featuring U2, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Eminem in the 10 years since it opened.
In January, it was revealed that Cape Town Stadium last year cost R79.6m to maintain, with the City of Cape Town doubling its contribution.
Image: SCAPIN (Pixabay)
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