Starting next year, the new stadium in Zabrze will be called Arena Zabrze. This simple changed is considered a prelude to the venue’s first naming rights deal.

Stadion w Zabrzu, public subsidiary responsible for construction of the new stadium in Zabrze, announced earlier today that the venue will be called Arena Zabrze from 2016 onwards.

The decision didn’t enjoy good reception from football fans of Górnik Zabrze. The new name replaced that of Stadion Ernesta Pohla, removing the former football legend Ernest Pohl from naming without any explanation.

As if this wasn’t enough, the branding is dominated by blue, colour most associated with local derby rival Ruch Chorzów. And finally, the new logo depicts a complete, enclosed bowl. However, the stadium has only three grandstands and very thin chances of being enclosed within several years.

Criticism is unlikely to change the plans of Stadion w Zabrzu. Municipal company in charge of operating the new 24,000-capacity ground will seek a naming rights partner to balance the budget.

Opening of Arena Zabrze is scheduled for March 2016, though some features of the stadium will not be ready until the 2016/17 Ekstraklasa season.