Snapdragon looking to buy Old Trafford’s naming rights

Several reports have emerged that Manchester United’s new shirt sponsor Snapdragon is open to acquiring the naming rights of a new Old Trafford stadium. The tech company agreed on a three-year deal worth 180 million pounds to be the principal shirt sponsor.

Snapdragon’s chief marketing officer, Don McGuire, speaking at the stadium ahead of the team’s friendly game against Real Betis, stressed the significance of the stadium’s name. He said, “Old Trafford is Old Trafford; it should always be Old Trafford.”

He also added, “But if there is a brand attached to that in some way shape or form, powered by someone, an ‘at’ or whatever…”

United are open to selling the rights to their stadium, be it a new one or a renovated one, and Snapdragon is keen on that opportunity. The club intends to submit plans for a newly built stadium with a capacity of 100.000 seats by the end of this year.

Manchester United Plan for a New Stadium with the Snapdragon deal

Members of the Manchester United task force have provisionally recommended the building on the land behind Old Trafford, which is also the option favoured by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe. The project is expected to take around six years to complete and cost more than two billion pounds.

Ratcliffe wants United to have the biggest stadium in Britain, and he is optimistic that they could build one that can host way more fans, in contrast to the current one, which has a capacity close to 75,000.

There have been talks inside the club to sell the naming rights, but no decision would be made without consultation with the supporters.