Distraught fans say ‘the game’s gone’ as iconic stadium to be renamed after mega-money partnership with Riyadh Air
FANS are up in arms after Atletico Madrid announced their new stadium sponsor.
The Spanish giants moved into the 68,456-capacity Metropolitano Stadium in 2017 after leaving the iconic Vicente Calderon Stadium.
AlamyRiyadh Air will sponsor the Metropolitano stadium[/caption]
The state-of-the-art venue hosted the 2019 Champions League final, when Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-1.
Now Atletico’s stadium will undergo a rebrand after the club agreed a deal with Saudi company Riyadh Air, according to AS via Expansion.
The sponsorship means the venue will be renamed the Riyadh Air Metropolitano until at least 2033.
The deal is reported to be worth in the region of £210-250million, and will see Riyadh Air increase their involvement in Atletico, having already sponsored their shirts.
Chinese company Wanda group sponsored the ground for the first five years before Civitas took over in 2022 in a deal worth £7m a year to Atletico.
Fans are unhappy at the switch with some declaring the “game has gone”.
One supporter reacted to the news saying: “Riyadh Air Metropolitano” not even remotely feels like their home ground name ”
Another added: “Woke nonsense.”
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
What we know about the ‘new’ Old Trafford
MANCHESTER UNITED plan to build a new stadium rather than redevelop Old Trafford.
The decision was made after a number of fact-finding missions to other stadiums including the Bernabeu and Nou Camp.
The cost of the project is expected to be a staggering £2billion.
A capacity of 100,000 is expected.
It is felt that a club of United’s standing should have a new state-of-the-art facility.
The new stadium will be built on land adjacent to the Red Devils’ current home.
United are looking to not only build a stadium but regenerate the area of Trafford where the ground will stand.
There had been plans to KEEP Old Trafford rather than demolish it, and use it as a scaled down second venue.
However, it’s looking increasing likely that it will in fact be entirely demolished.
The club consulted with 30,000 fans about what to do and believe there is roughly a 50-50 split on staying or moving.
The club have appointed the architects Foster + Partners to come up with a “masterplan”. The company were behind Wembley Stadium.
Old Trafford has been United’s home since 1910.
The target is for completion by 2030.
A third wrote: “They’re coming for absolutely EVERYTHING.”
And another commented: “Atletico and Barcelona are selling their souls for money it’s embarrassing.”
