Atletico Madrid’s new stadium will be called Wanda Metropolitano after Chinese property company Dalian Wanda, a 20 per cent shareholder in the Spanish giants, won the naming rights.
Wanda acquired the 20 per cent stake in the Champions League finalists for €44.98 million in April 2015, as Chinese firms and businessmen plough cash into some of European football’s biggest clubs.
Atletico plans to move into the new ground on the northeast side of Madrid from next season after 50 years at the Vicente Calderon. However reports suggest that having already been postponed numerous times, the new stadium is now set for opening no sooner than in September 2017, meaning it won’t even be ready in time for the 2017/18 season opening. Atletico have already applied to play two first games away.
While Wanda was anticipated, the second part is more surprising. Metropolitano is a name associated with Atletico’s former ground, where they played in 1923-1966, prior to moving to the Calderon. This way the commercial name is both unique and provides a link to club tradition.
It was previously announced that Atletico are looking for at least five-year long naming rights contract, worth no less than €10 million annually. The details of the final contract with Wanda have not yet been made public.
More on Wanda Metropolitano at Coliseum Summit EUROPE, March 29-30, 2017, Budapest, Hungary.
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