Lansdowne Road to be renamed Aviva Stadium

Lansdowne Road is to be renamed Aviva Stadium for a 10-year period, it was announced today.

The deal sees insurance company Hibernian Aviva provide investment to the IRFU and FAI for their grassroots programmes, in a deal reportedly worth around €40m.

In making the announcement, Philip Browne, chairman of the Lansdowne Road Stadium Development Company (LRSDC) and chief executive of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) said that he was “delighted” with the deal.

“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,” he said.

“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 €250m 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.”

FAI chief executive John Delaney, said the move would strengthen grassroots programmes which encourage participation in football among children and young adults.

He said the recent announcement that the 2011 UEFA Europa League Final would be played at the stadium is a fantastic start for the partnership.

“It really is a tremendous endorsement of just what is being achieved,” he said. “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.”