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Acrisure Arena adds Stand Together as founding partner

Philanthropic community group Stand Together has agreed a deal to become the exclusive social impact partner of Acrisure Arena, a new venue in Palm Springs, California that will be owned and operated by Oak View Group.

Stand Together will also serve as one of eight founding partners of the 11,500-seat arena, which will serve as the home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds American Hockey League team.

Additionally, Stand Together will be the music series title sponsor of the new arena. Stand Together and Acrisure Arena will use the partnership to create a space to support activations that give musicians, fans and members of the community an opportunity to make a difference on challenges facing the US.

Acrisure Arena is scheduled to open in December during the 2022-23 AHL season, which will mark the Firebirds’ debut in the competition. The Firebirds are owned and operated by NHL team the Seattle Kraken, which moved into the OVG-operated Climate Pledge Arena last year.

Tim Leiweke, chief executive of OVG, said: “There is no denying the remarkable power of music to bring people together. With the launch of Acrisure Arena and our partnership with Stand Together, we will harness the power of music to bring people together and create movements that affect change.

“I’m honoured to have Stand Together join us as the exclusive social impact partner of the Acrisure Arena. Together, I know we can transform the positive impact sports and entertainment facilities can make within our communities.”

Brian Hooks, chief executive of Stand Together, added: “Music brings people together. And musicians have been an essential part of the most important changes in our country – inspiring people to make progress on issues that otherwise seemed impossible.

“Music has always been a bridge to a better tomorrow. It’s hard to think of movements for change without the songs that inspired and sustained them. That’s why Stand Together is committed to partnering with musicians and the country’s most effective changemakers to tackle the root causes of our society’s biggest challenges. We’re excited to be taking this important step forward with Acrisure Arena.”

Stand Together joins Verizon, Alaska Airlines and Spotlight 29 Casino as founding partners of Acrisure Arena. Financial technology company Acrisure acquired naming rights to the arena in January as part of a 10-year deal with OVG.

Acrisure Arena, which will be the first venue of its kind in the greater Palm Springs area, has a partnership with event promoter Live Nation and is set to host a number of high-profile music concerts when it opens.

Image: OVG