Why UEFA call it Arsenal Stadium, not the Emirates Stadium

Add as preferred source on Google

Why do UEFA call the Emirates Stadium the Arsenal Stadium? Many have been asking as the Gunners prepare for the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

Graphics prepared for the clash against Bayern Munich have clearly labelled the Emirates Stadium as the Arsenal Stadium – leaving many fans and pundits alike quite confused.

Some have poked fun at the Gunners after seeing what UEFA call the Emirates Stadium, jesting that the organisation have forgotten what the arena is actually called, seeing as Arsenal haven’t reached a UEFA Champions League quarter-final since 2010.

However, that is not the actual reason – far from it.

So, why do UEFA call the Emirates Stadium the Arsenal Stadium? Let’s take a look…

Why UEFA call it Arsenal Stadium and not the Emirates Stadium

Well, hearing the Emirates Stadium be called Arsenal Stadium threw us back to the days of playing Pro Evolution Soccer a bit, where a lack of licensing meant the likes of Liverpool were called Merseyside Reds, and so on.

However, this is not down to an absence of licensing.

UEFA’s official documents – Article 72.03 to be exact – state: “Any stadium naming rights granted by the club are subject to the requirements regarding the commercial exclusive zone. This means that, subject to the following exceptions, no branding of the stadium sponsor (for example, any name, logo, trademark, design elements, slogan or corporate colours) may be visible in the commercial exclusive zone. Similarly, subject to the following exceptions, no such branding may be visible on any competition materials.”

The exceptions to UEFA’s rule are as follows:

• The name of the stadium sponsor may be announced (as part of the stadium name) over the stadium PA system for the sole purpose of denominating the stadium if required for safety and security reasons. No additional identification connected with the stadium sponsor (for example, a jingle) may be included in the announcement.

• The name of the stadium sponsor may appear as part of the stadium name on printed materials for the UEFA Europa League, including match tickets, for the sole purpose of denominating the stadium if required for safety and security reasons and only in a non-commercial typeface, colour and without any logos.

• The name of the stadium sponsor may appear as part of the permanent stadium name signage on the outside of the stadium building. Existing signage must be determined during the site visit and/or any season preparation information exchanges to ensure that no additional signage is subsequently added.

Other examples

Manchester City experience something similar with the Etihad Stadium.

UEFA refer to that venue as the City of Manchester Stadium – which it was called before Etihad began sponsoring the Citizens in 2009.

Even the names of certain clubs sometimes have to change – most notably those under the Red Bull umbrella.

Red Bull Salzburg were actually made to change their club badge and go by the name FC Salzburg while taking part in UEFA competition.

So, it is not called Arsenal Stadium because UEFA have forgotten about the Gunners, for those who were banging that particular drum – it is merely more of a political matter in regards to sponsors.