Manchester United have decided to change the name of their stadium. It will no longer be called Old Trafford! Fans are absolutely furious with the decision! 😠
Manchester United’s shirt sponsor, Snapdragon, is reportedly keen on acquiring the naming rights for Old Trafford or any new stadium the club might build in the future. The club has formed a task force to assess whether to redevelop their historic stadium or construct a new one.
This initiative comes amid concerns about the limitations of Old Trafford, particularly the challenges presented by the railway line behind the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand and the nearby Bridgewater Canal.
The goal is to create a 100,000-seat stadium, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe envisioning a “Wembley of the North.” This could be realized through either renovating Old Trafford or constructing a new stadium on land the club already owns adjacent to the current location.
To finance this ambitious project, Manchester United is considering selling naming rights, which could generate tens of millions of pounds.
Snapdragon, a brand owned by Qualcomm, recently took over from TeamViewer as Manchester United’s shirt sponsor. Qualcomm’s Chief Marketing Officer, Don McGuire, has expressed interest in extending their involvement with the club by exploring stadium naming rights.
McGuire noted that while “Old Trafford is Old Trafford” and should retain its historic name, there might be a partnership where the stadium is branded with Snapdragon or features additional branding.
He also hinted at a deeper partnership, mentioning Qualcomm’s ongoing collaboration with Manchester United to reimagine Old Trafford from a technology and innovation perspective, and their work on improvements at the club’s training facility, Carrington.
While the current shirt sponsorship deal is significant, Qualcomm is open to furthering their partnership with Manchester United if mutually beneficial.
Selling naming rights is becoming more common in modern football, though it is still relatively rare in the Premier League. As of the 2024/25 season, only six Premier League clubs have sold naming rights: Arsenal, Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester City, and Manchester City. Tottenham Hotspur, who moved into their new stadium in 2019, continue to seek a long-term naming rights partner, keeping the official name as Tottenham Hotspur Stadium to enhance the club’s brand.
Manchester United’s potential move reflects a broader trend in football where commercial partnerships and branding are increasingly shaping stadium names and renovations.
Whether Old Trafford will undergo a name change remains to be seen, but Snapdragon’s involvement suggests significant developments could be forthcoming for one of the most iconic stadiums in world football.
