By In a strategic move aimed at bolstering the club’s financial standing, Arsenal has sold the naming rights to their esteemed London Colney training ground. The training facility will now be known as the Sobha Realty Training Centre, following a multi-million-pound agreement with Dubai-based luxury real estate developer Sobha Realty.
The lucrative deal also includes the prominent placement of the Sobha Realty logo on the sleeve of Arsenal’s training kit, further solidifying the partnership between the football giant and the esteemed real estate developer. As part of the long-term collaboration, Arsenal will tap into Sobha Realty’s expertise in property development to enhance the training ground’s facilities.
Arsenal Sporting Director Edu expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “This is a very exciting agreement that will help us develop the best possible environment for our men’s and women’s players, coaches, and support staff for years to come. Our training centre is a big part of our people’s lives. It’s not just about working hard on the pitches, but also working in our office spaces, learning, relaxing, and spending time with teammates, colleagues, and their families.”
The Sobha Realty Training Centre will serve as a hub for the Arsenal team, emphasizing the importance of creating optimal conditions for player development, teamwork, and overall well-being. The collaboration is not solely financial but extends to leveraging Sobha Realty’s experience in property development to enhance the training ground’s infrastructure.
Juliet Slot, Arsenal Chief Commercial Officer, commented on the groundbreaking partnership, stating, “Our exciting new deal is a strong sign of our commitment to building mutually beneficial partnerships which support the objectives of both Arsenal and our partner. This is a groundbreaking agreement for both of us, with Sobha becoming our first-ever training ground naming rights partner, supporting their global growth ambitions as they seek to establish a stronger presence worldwide.”
The collaboration with Sobha Realty extends beyond the training ground, making them a Principal Partner of Arsenal and the official training kit sleeve partner for both men’s and women’s teams. This strategic alliance is set to propel Sobha Realty towards its vision of becoming a truly global real estate player, with expansion plans in the UK and US.
Ravi Menon, Co-chairman of Sobha Realty, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “From securing the naming rights at The WM club to becoming a Principal Partner and renaming the club’s training ground as Sobha Realty Training Centre, highlights the evolution of our collaborations and our commitment to fostering excellence.”
The Sobha Realty-Arsenal partnership, which began in September 2023, has already made its mark with Sobha Realty securing naming rights to The WM Club, a premium match-day hospitality suite at Emirates Stadium. The latest move with the naming rights to the training ground signifies a deepening and mutually beneficial relationship between the two entities, showcasing their commitment to excellence in real estate and sports on a global scale.
