Murrayfield Set For £20m Naming Rights Deal

BT is set to acquire the naming rights to Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium in a £20 million deal, with talks in ‘an advanced stage’ according to multiple media reports. The agreement would see the British telecom giant-turned broadcaster take the rights for the home of Scottish rugby over five years. 

The contract would come as a welcome cash injection for the Scottish Rugby Union, which has reported debts of £11 million. 

Chief executive of Scottish Rugby, Mark Dodson, hinted at a similar move in 2012 – and BT are believed to be close to agreeing terms but have yet to comment on the proposed sponsorship agreement.

A report in The Scotsman newspaper also claims the contract will also see BT’s logo emblazoned on Scotland’s playing shirts. 

The BT Sport Stadium, the BT Sport Murrayfield Stadium and BT Murrayfield Stadium are reportedly among the potential new names for the venue. 

BT Sport already has a strong rugby presence in Scotland, as the shirt sponsor of RaboDirect PRO12 professional teams, Edinburgh Rugby and Glasgow Warriors.

Meanwhile, half a million tickets for the 2015 Rugby World Cup – due to go on sale on Friday – have been put on hold.

Ticketmaster, the ticket provider that has run into trouble with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, has asked for more time to test their sales website.

Clubs affiliated to the Rugby Community Ticketing Programme must now wait until 29th May to buy their priority tickets.