Financial solutions provider Q2 has acquired naming rights to the new home of Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise Austin FC.
The multi-year deal officially names the venue, which is scheduled to open in the spring, as Q2 Stadium. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Q2 Stadium will have a capacity of 20,500 and will be one of 20 soccer-specific stadiums in MLS in 2021. As well as serving as the home of Austin FC, the $260m (£190m/€214m) venue will host concerts and other events.
Austin-based Q2 will also take on naming rights to the Q2 Field Club, a premium seating and club experience adjacent to the players’ benches and locker rooms. Q2 will benefit from prominent brand exposure inside and outside of the venue, including a signature interior position above the Supporters Section in the south end of the stadium, as well as rooftop signage above the East and West canopy.
Q2 also becomes the official community partner of Austin FC, with the two parties to work together on an annual campaign that will see around $150,000 donated to local non-profit organisations. Q2 will also work with Austin FC on the Dream Starter Competition, which will give locals the chance to compete for seed funding for the launch of an entrepreneurial venture.
Additionally, Q2 becomes the official financial experience partner and official technology sponsor of Austin FC, further strengthening the connection between the company and Austin’s first and only major-league team.
Austin FC president Andy Loughnane said: “Establishing a long-term stadium naming rights partnership with an Austin-based company that is committed to using this platform to give back to the community was the club’s top priority. Q2 Stadium holds the distinction of being the first and only major league venue in Austin, and Austin FC is exceptionally proud to begin our MLS journey with Q2 as our partner and Q2 Stadium as our home.”
Matt Flake, president and chief executive of Q2, added: “Q2 is an Austin-born company with a mission to build strong and diverse communities by strengthening their financial institutions. Our partnership with Austin FC shows we are doubling down on our commitment to our mission in our own community.
“As one of Austin’s fastest growing companies and a regular on the best places to work list, our partnership reinforces to our employees and top talent that Q2 is committed to everything that makes Austin special – culture, community and now, world-class professional sports sure to bring a diverse, global audience to our community.”
The partnership was sourced and negotiated by Excel Sports Management’s Properties division, Austin FC’s commercial strategy partner.
Q2 Stadium was designed by architecture firm Gensler and is being built by Texas-based Austin Commercial. The stadium broke ground on September 9, 2019 and remains on schedule to open in the spring.
Austin FC has sold 15,500 season tickets for the 2021 MLS campaign, which begins on April 3.
Image: Q2 Stadium
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