The new 16,000-capacity Olympique Lyonnais Groupe indoor venue in Lyon is to be called LDLC Arena through an eight-year naming rights partnership.
The computer and technology stores owner will take the name of the event hall – which is backed by Live Nation – from the start of construction, which is due to begin at the start of 2022. A statement from Olympique Lyonnais Groupe (OL) said LDLC Group’s expertise in terms of use and new technologies would inspire a “spirit of innovation” at the venue.
LDLC Arena is expected to host between 100 and 120 events per year, including Olympique Lyonnais’ Euroleague basketball matches, esports competitions, large-scale seminars and trade shows. The recently signed commercial agreement with Live Nation will see international artists play the arena.
LDLC already backs Olympique Lyonnais’ basketball team, LDLC ASVEL, and the Team LDLC OL esports team.
Jean-Michel Aulas, President of OL, said: “With the LDLC Arena, we are going to build the new reference hall in Europe. For this, we needed the expertise and exemplary nature of the LDLC Group, whose formidable entrepreneurial history is an inspiration to all of us.
“Through this naming agreement, two major institutions in the region are joining forces to offer a venue that will reconcile both the requirements in terms of sport and entertainment as well as those on the aspects of employment, the environment and integration.”
Lyon awarded the contract to design and build the new arena to architectural firm Populous and Citinea, which is a subsidiary of Vinci Construction. Owner and chairman of the Ligue 1 club Jean-Michel Aulas first announced the club was planning to develop a new arena in February 2019.
Laurent de la Clergerie, chairman and founder of the LDLC Group, said: “Our attachment to the Lyon region is strong. For many years, we have supported the well-being of everyone, culture and entertainment in all its forms.
“We are very proud to be the partner of equipment of this quality. We are sure that the LDLC Arena will be the place of all the emotions and all the passions.”
Image: Populous
