French mutual insurer Groupama has renewed its partnership with Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon) and will retain naming rights to the club’s stadium.
Financial Promoter said that with the contract expiring at the end of July, Groupama signed a five-year extension, keeping the official name of Groupama Stadium until 2030.
The renewed deal also covers naming rights for the club’s training facility, which will continue to be known as the Groupama OL Training Centre.
Olympique Lyonnais, commonly referred to as simply Lyon or OL, is a French professional football club based in Lyon in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (region in France). It plays in France’s highest football division Ligue 1.
Parc Olympique Lyonnais, known for sponsorship reasons as Groupama Stadium, and in some competitions as Grand Stade de Lyon or Stade des Lumières, is a 59,186-seat stadium in Décines-Charpieu, in the Lyon Metropolis (France). The home of French football club Olympique Lyonnais, it replaced their previous stadium, Stade de Gerland, in January 2016.
Francis Thomine, Chief Executive of Groupama Rhône-Alpes Auvergne, said, “We’re showing that we’re loyal. It’s the company’s culture and an example of sustainability. We don’t let them down, even when the context is uncertain.
“On the contrary, it’s precisely in these moments that it’s important to be present, to reaffirm our commitment and to show that our partnership is based on solid values.
“This stadium is about much more than football. It’s an event venue with incredible power. It brings together thousands of people, from all generations, to experience powerful emotions, and where our brand comes to life.
“Our signature then takes on its full meaning: Groupama, always there for me. Because being there for the big moments is also our commitment.”
Groupama first partnered with Lyon in 2017, marking the beginning of its naming rights to the Stade Décinois.
Over the past eight years, the agreement has been extended multiple times, including in 2020 and again in 2022, to ensure the Groupama name remains on the stadium.
When the initial deal was signed, it generated €5.5 million per year for Lyon. According to Football Benchmark, the most recent agreement was valued at €6.9 million annually.
The sponsorship renewal comes as Lyon continues to face financial challenges. In June, the club was relegated to Ligue 2 following a decision by the National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG), the body responsible for monitoring the finances of French professional football clubs.
The DNCG had initially issued a provisional demotion in November, and after the club was unable to demonstrate sufficient financial improvement, the relegation was upheld.
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