Blundstone extends partnership with Bellerive Oval
The home of Tasmanian cricket will continue to be known as Blundstone Arena for a further three years, following an extension of the current naming rights deal with the brand.
The iconic Tasmanian-based footwear brand was announced as the first commercial naming rights partner of the Hobart ground in October 2011, with Blundstone Arena becoming the first Australian international cricket venue to offer the naming rights of a venue.
The initial naming rights deal was for five years, but the partnership has now run for ten years, and today is being officially confirmed for another three years, until October 2024.
“It’s a really exciting time for Tasmanian cricket at the moment,” said Cricket Tasmania CEO, Dominic Baker, “and the announcement of this ongoing partnership between Cricket Tasmania and Blundstone is just one of the many reasons why.”
“Both of our organisations represent iconic Tasmanian brands, and we look forward to continuing to work together to not only build our own organisations, but to continue to put both Tasmania and Blundstone Arena ‘on the map’ so to speak.”
For Blundstone, the naming-rights agreement remains about supporting the Tasmanian community and facilitating access to invaluable sporting programs for all levels.
“As an iconic Tasmanian family-owned company with a global footprint in over 70 countries today, to support a world-class sporting facility in our hometown is a no brainer for us,” said Blundstone Australia joint-CEO, Adam Blake.
“Seeing the BBL and WBBL, the Hobart Hurricanes, as well as AFL fixtures being hosted at the Blundstone Arena certainly makes us proud, but the true value for us remains to be able to support grassroots sport across the state for all levels and abilities and provide Tasmanian’s access to world-class events.”
Blundstone Arena will host the opening nine matches of the WBBL season from October 14 after matches were relocated from Sydney and Melbourne due to Covid, before the action moves to Launceston, with Tasmania hosting the first 20 games of the upcoming women’s season.
The 19,500-capacity venue is still scheduled to host a Test Match between Australia and Afghanistan from November 27, however the fixture is in doubt due to political issues. While six AFL matches were played at Blundstone during the 2021 season, more than usual due to relocated fixtures.
