Aviva Stadium Unveiled

12th February 2008

10 year deal with Hibernian Aviva secures naming rights of stadium 
Aviva to support grassroots programme for FAI and IRFU

Hibernian Aviva, Ireland’s largest insurance company, has secured the naming rights to what will now be called Aviva Stadium in what is one of the most significant sponsorships in Irish history. The deal sees Hibernian Aviva take on the naming rights for a ten-year period and provide investment support to the IRFU and FAI for their grassroots programmes. Details of the sponsorship were unveiled earlier today, Thursday, 12 February, 2009, at a function in Dublin.

In making the announcement, Philip Browne, Chairman of the LRSDC and Chief Executive of the Irish Rugby Football Union said that he was delighted to welcome Hibernian Aviva on board. From the outset the IRFU and the FAI stated that the naming rights would be an important element in the funding of the €400 million stadium which will be a home for both Irish rugby and soccer.

He said it is important to understand that the funding provided by Hibernian Aviva for the naming rights would generate both current and future investment in the development of both sports. He said in that context he is delighted that Hibernian Aviva will also be investing in the development of grassroots programmes for both the IRFU and the FAI right across the country.

The IRFU and FAI are confident that in Aviva Stadium they have a model that will sustain both of their sports well into the future. Browne added it would be wrong, however, only to dwell on what Aviva Stadium means for the two sports. 

“We believe that in the difficult economic conditions we are now going through, Aviva Stadium will be of huge benefit to the economy as a whole. Previous research

shows that the weekend of an Ireland v England rugby international has an economic impact of up to €90 million on the local economy. While that may be at the top end of the spectrum it needs to be remembered that in any given year Aviva Stadium will host around ten major international sporting occasions not to mention concerts and events such as the UEFA Final which the FAI has already secured or a future Heineken Cup Final which we will undoubtedly get.  Even taking the most conservative view I do not think it would be exaggerating to say that Aviva Stadium could have an impact of some €250 million on the local economy each year.  Hibernian Aviva’s support will drive both our sports and the economy at a time when it needs it more than ever. We are delighted to welcome them to the team.”

Speaking on behalf of Hibernian Aviva, Stuart Purdy, Group Chief Executive said the company is delighted to be a partner in such a major sponsorship and contributor to the Irish economic and sports landscape. “Hibernian Aviva has a strong Irish heritage built up over the last one hundred years of service to Irish consumers and as we rebrand under our parent company name Aviva, we will continue to build on this business strength. Contributing to the economy and to the communities in which we operate are vitally important to us and I can think of no better way to demonstrate this than by supporting Aviva Stadium and IRFU and FAI grassroots programmes. 

Purdy continued, “In addition to the brand awareness opportunities that come with a sponsorship of this scale and stature, as a company with a network reaching all over the country, the national and local reach of this sponsorship are important to us. We are looking forward to working with Aviva Stadium, the IRFU and FAI on this partnership.”

Commenting on this investment, John Delaney, chief executive FAI said he echoed all that had been said before and that the FAI was looking forward to working with Hibernian Aviva on strengthening football grassroots programmes which encourage participation in the sport among children and young adults. 

He said the recent announcement that the 2011 UEFA Europa League Final would be played at the Aviva Stadium is a fantastic start for the partnership. “It really is a tremendous endorsement of just what is being achieved.  I think it is fair to say that everyone in UEFA could see the potential of what we are developing. One has only to think of some of the other stadia that were in line for the Final to see just how world-class the facility we are building is going to be.”

Photography and images are available online at www.avivastadium.ie or www.lrsdc.ie

For media interviews / further information please contact:

LRSDC: Roddy Guiney 01 669 0030 or 087 2523 095
Hibernian Aviva: Julian Davis 086 253 1269 / Ruth Burnside 087 9967496
IRFU: Karl Richardson   086 6477 874
FAI: Peter Sherrard  086 0485 812
 

Note to editors

About Aviva Stadium
Work on Aviva Stadium commenced in May 2007 with the demolition of the old stadium on the same site. Work is continuing apace with the first elements of the roof steel being put in position since early January.  Currently work is continuing on the roof on the glazing of the exterior of the stadium and on many of the interior elements.  Work on the cladding which will eventually give Aviva Stadium its unique characteristic will start in spring. 

Aviva Stadium is on schedule for completion in April 2010. It is expected that the first rugby and soccer games will take place there later in the year.   Once completed Aviva Stadium will be a 50,000 all seater stadium designed to provide a world-class experience for players, spectators, media and all other personnel working at events.  Aviva Stadium has been constructed in such a way to allow access/egress from every side.  The creation of a podium over the DART line along with underpasses under the DART line will allow the DART to run on match days without any disruption. 

The underground car park, which has been created as part of Aviva Stadium, will allow for 100 fans with disabilities to park under the stadium on match days.  A state-of-the-art media facility will cater for 200 journalists while a high-tech communications centre will ensure the smooth running of Aviva Stadium at all times.

About Hibernian Aviva
Hibernian Aviva has been part of Ireland’s insurance industry for the last hundred years and has grown to become one of the largest and most successful organisations in the country with businesses in General Insurance, Life & Pensions and most recently the health insurance sector.  Part of the world’s fifth largest insurance group Aviva plc, the company has approximately 1.2 million customers in Ireland and offices in Dublin, Cork and Galway with a branch network in 27 other locations.

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