Ricoh Name May Be Dropped During Rugby World Cup

Last updated : 22 May 2009 By Covsupport News Service
The name Ricoh Arena along with The Emirates Stadium at Arsenal may have to be dropped if the English Rugby Union is successful in getting the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Speaking to the Coventry Observer, Ricoh Arena boss Daniel Gidney said: "I can confirm that the Ricoh and Emirates will not be called the Ricoh and The Emirates during the Rugby World Cup.

"In 2003, when England won in Australia, it was supposed to be co-hosted by New Zealand but they pulled out because of a row over commercial rights. A lot of stadiums had their own spnsors and weren't willing to give them up.

ACL's Daniel Gidney speaks to Joe Elliott
Daniel Gidney (right)

"The benefit here is that our naming rights go up to August 2015. We expect Ricoh to renew but as part of that we will isolate three weeks when there are no rights available to them."

The 48 game tournament which is run by the International Rugby Board who insist on stadiums free of advertising, is likely to be held in September or October 2015 and will mean Coventry City having to get permission to either play their scheduled matches away from home or finding an alternative ground to play home matches.