New Scottish Venue to be Named Hydro Arena in USD24m Naming Rights Deal

A planned US$205m arena to be built alongside the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) development in Glasgow has been renamed the Scottish Hydro Arena after the energy supplier agreed a 10-year naming rights deal worth $24.6m.

It is hoped the 12,000-seater venue, set to be opened in 2013, will host 140 events annually and attract audiences of one million per year, attracting major sporting events such as ATP tennis tournaments and international basketball matches.

The to-be-built stadium is already expected to stage gymnastics for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and is also set to host the Mobo awards.

Ian Marchant, chief executive of SSE (Scottish and Southern Energy), stated: “We’ve supported music events that people have enjoyed for some time. Now we’re involved on a larger stage, it means we can bring the experience to many more people.”

John Sharkey, chief executive of the SECC, added: “To be partnering with a successful and established FTSE top 30 UK brand with Scottish roots is part of our commitment to working with the best in the business. Scottish Hydro shares our vision for the new arena that will position Glasgow and Scotland at the forefront of the global events and entertainment industry.”