Clearer Group-Windsor Park ‘clear’-cut deal

Article posted by Coliseum, May 19^th, 2025

Image: Irish FA

The premium mixers brand Clearer Twist is the proud new naming partner of the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast, Northern Ireland (UK).

‘IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION’ stated that for the next eight years the famous Belfast stadium will be known as the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park and the naming rights deal builds on the strong existing relationship between the Irish Football Association (the governing body for association football in Northern Ireland [UK]) and the Larne-based Clearer Group. The Clearer Group enjoys a strong, honest image.

Clearer Twist is a brand of premium mixers including tonic water, ginger ale and French pink made with high alkaline water (pH 9.4). This formulation results in naturally low sugar and low-calorie mixers. Clearer Twist aims to offer a refreshing, clean taste and is known for supporting local and community values. It has a presence in Northern Ireland.

Larne (UK)-based the Clearer Group, co-founded by Ross Lazaroo-Hood and Sitki Gelmen, has a distinctive mission within the bottled water market. The company aims to stand out with its unique ethical proposition centered on clearer principles, values and outcomes throughout the entire journey from source to consumption.

The 18,500-capacity National Football Stadium at Windsor Park (officially the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park for sponsorship reasons), or the National Football Stadium, also known as the Windsor Park, is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

‘IRISH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION’ further stated that the Clearer Group prides itself as a socially responsible employer and champions a mixed ability workforce providing training and career development for additional needs and socially disadvantaged young people.

Commented Conrad Kirkwood, Irish FA President, “Our stadium is a place we are proud to call home. This new naming rights deal marks a new era for it and will help us maintain it to ensure we continue to strive for a first-class experience for the fans and the guests not to mention the many teams that play here from right across our footballing community. The Clearer Group has strong, honest values which align with ours and, as a local company, we hope Northern Ireland’s wider football family will see the value in this partnership and really get behind it.”

Put in Patrick Nelson, Irish FA Chief Executive, “We have sought a naming partner for our beloved home for many years. But a partnership which met all the requirements wasn’t available until now. Our relationship with the Clearer Group is already one of collaboration and teamwork and this new partnership enhances that. And the Irish FA, as a non-profit organization, will invest these vital funds back into football at all levels of the game in Northern Ireland.”

Remarked Ross Lazaroo-Hood, Global Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/Co-Chairman/Owner of Clearer Group, “I grew up in Larne and I am passionate about Northern Ireland, a place which is, and always will be, close to my heart. And I always strive to give back to the local community whenever and wherever I can. When the opportunity arose to rename the national stadium in the country of my birth it made perfect sense. Over the coming year we’ll be supporting the national team while also investing in grassroots initiatives and the local sporting events across Northern Ireland. Our goal is to bring the fans an exciting new chapter – one that embraces a new twist while honoring the proud traditions of Northern Irish football. The Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park will be a community, a shared space and we look forward to celebrating the next game and season as well as welcoming everyone in Northern Ireland – both home grown talent plus those international players – to compete in our national stadium.”

In September 2023 the group, under its Clearer Water brand, became the official water partner for the Northern Ireland national teams and the exclusive water supplier to the National Stadium for 10 years.

Under the naming rights deal for the stadium it will also become the official mixer partner of the Northern Ireland senior men’s and women’s teams.

Additionally, in September 2023 the company agreed to become the main sponsor of the Irish Football Association’s Challenge Cup, more commonly known as the Irish Cup, for 10 years.

The Irish Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly referred to as the Irish Cup (currently known as the Clearer Water Irish Cup for sponsorship purposes), is the primary football knockout Cup competition in Northern Ireland.

And the Clearer Water was a sponsor of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Under-19 Men’s EUROS when they were staged in Northern Ireland last year.

Nyon (Switzerland)-based the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is one of six continental bodies of governance in association football. It governs football, futsal and beach football in Europe and the transcontinental countries of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Kazakhstan as well as the West Asian countries of Cyprus, Armenia and Israel. The UEFA consists of 55 national association members. Since 2022, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the FIFA and the UEFA suspended all Russian national teams and clubs from any FIFA and UEFA competitions.

The UEFA European Under-19 Championship, or simply the EURO Under-19, is an annual football competition contested by the European Men’s Under-19 national teams of the UEFA member-associations.

Continue to follow Coliseum for latest updates on venues business news. Coliseum is dedicated towards building the best global community of sports and entertainment venue executives and professionals creating better and more profitable venues.

Become a member of the only Global Sports Venue Alliance and connect with stadiums, arenas and experts from around the world. Apply for membership at coliseum-online.com/alliance and make use of the 365Coliseum Business.

Watch 420 member-exclusive videos with valuable tips for your venue