Allianz SE (ALV.XE), Europe's biggest insurer by premium income
and market capitalization, Tuesday said it signed two naming-rights
contracts this week for stadiums in the southern French city of
Nice and in London.
MAIN FACTS:
-Allianz France signed a long-term naming rights contract for
the new "Allianz Riviera" arena in Nice.
-Allianz in the UK signed a partnership agreement with Saracens
Rugby Club including rights to name their entirely refurbished
stadium in London "Allianz Park."
-The addition of the two new partnerships brings the Allianz
family of stadiums to four members, when including the Allianz
Arena in Allianz' home town of Munich, which opened in May 2005,
and the Allianz Stadium in Sydney, Australia, which was adopted the
name earlier this year.
-Nice's brand-new football stadium, which it is building in the
run up to the 2016 European Football Championship, will open in
2013 and will have a 45,000 seating capacity. It will host football
matches as well as other sport and cultural events, such as
concerts and shows.
-It will also be home to a French National Sports Museum.
-Allianz France has partnered with an original and eco-aware
architectural team for this project. The technology and materials
used will meet the highest environmental standards, or "HQE," which
is a recognized green building standard in France. The building
will use geothermal energy and has a photovoltaic roof to offset
energy consumption.
-Allianz Park, the home of the Saracens Rugby Club, and
previously known as the Copthall stadium, will become a venue for
rugby, athletics and community sport in 2013. The existing stadium
will be renovated to include incorporating an artificial turf pitch
and an indoor training area.
-Allianz is also a long-term partner of Formula One, the
Paralympic Movement and St Andrews Link golf, in addition to being
involved in active naming rights agreements and partnerships with
football and rugby clubs.
-Write to the Frankfurt Bureau at
djnews.frankfurt@dowjones.com
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