The European Metropolis of Lille (MEL) played extra time in this decisive match on the change of name of the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, but this time it’s there, it’s official: the LOSC stadium, located in Villeneuve d’Ascq , bECOMES Decathlon Arena from the 2022-2023 season.
Six million euros over five years renewable?
The northern sign and elected favorite French brand puts an end to four difficult years for the MEL which could not find a partner for the stadium. It pays 16 million euros in costs per year to the manufacturer. Between 2013 and 2018, four sponsors disbursed two million euros per year before disengaging: Crédit Mutuel, the General Council of the North, Carrefour and Nacarat.
Decathlon, the official brand of Ligue 1 football, knows Villeneuve d’Ascq well since it has set up its head office there. For the change of name of the stadium, we would evoke the sum of six million euros over five years renewable. This announcement is decisive in the positioning of the northern brand after the creation of a team of several dozen athletes for the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024 headed by judoka Teddy Riner.
The name of Pierre Mauroy will not disappear
The mention “Pierre-Mauroy stadium” will remain since it will appear under the name “Decathlon Arena”. According to our information, the visuals are already almost ready. This decision will be endorsed at the next MEL council meeting on June 27.
The announcement will be made this Thursday to the elected officials of the MEL sport commission who have received for the moment documents with “XXX” in place of the new name. For the moment, no one has wished to confirm this information to the MEL.