USA: MLS champions LAFC agree $100 million stadium naming rights deal with BMO
source: StadiumDb.com; author: StadiumDB.com
LAFC swept to glory in 2022, with the recently retired Gareth Bale forming part of their squad as the biggest prize in American soccer made its way to the Banc of California Stadium. Penalty shootout glory was savoured in a thrilling final showdown against the Philadelphia Union, with Los Angeles’ finest prevailing. Said trophy will now be defended with the club’s home venue taking on a different name. It has been revealed that a record-setting agreement for naming rights has been struck with the Bank of Montreal (BMO).
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Kings
That deal is the biggest in MLS history, which is fitting given that LAFC are the reigning kings of that competition. They have enough talent at their disposal to get back-to-back victories in 2023, with plenty of favour set to be earned in the numerous bet on football markets relating to individual matches and outright winners.
The newly named BMO Stadium welcomed supporters through its door for the first time in a new guise when the United States took in a friendly date with Serbia, with the USMNT counting down the days to a co-hosted World Cup in 2026 that they are currently 18/1 to emerge victorious in.
LAFC’s deal with BMO is due to span the next 10 years, with Banc of California walking away from a 15-year sponsorship agreement that saw them pump around $36 million into the club across three campaigns.
BMO’s chief strategy and operations officer, Cameron Fowler, has said: BMO is thrilled to forge this partnership with LAFC, which reinforces our bank’s commitment to growing the game of soccer across North America.
The company already works with Toronto FC, CF Montreal and the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Bennett Rosenthal, LAFC’s lead managing owner, has added on fresh investment and partnerships being embraced in California: We’re sold out for games, we get a bigger social media following, we have a bigger impact. More impressions from what we do on the pitch leads to tangible value for sponsors. Sponsors pay more for sponsorships. That leads to more revenues for us to reinvest in the club.
LAFC, who joined MLS as an expansion side in 2018, have sold out every regular and post-season game since they joined the elite ranks of American soccer, with a passionate fan base buying into the vision that has been drawn up for long-term success.
Spectators
BMO Stadium, which is one of the most “millennial” venues in the United States, catering to every whim of a modern-day fan, has previously played host to Gold Cup games but will not be involved in the 2026 World Cup as LA-based fixtures are passed over to SoFi Stadium – the home of the NFL Los Angeles Rams and Chargers franchises.
A popular arena will, however, continue to play host to LAFC alongside Angel City FC. The first professional women’s soccer team in the Los Angeles area averages around 19,000 spectators for their home games – the highest in the NWSL – and will also have welcomed the news of BMO becoming a new partner for the most ambitious of outfits.
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