German automotive manufacturer Audi has agreed a deal with DC United that grants it naming rights to the Major League Soccer franchise’s future home stadium, which will be called Audi Field.
Terms of Audi’s agreement with DC United were not disclosed, although the Washington Post newspaper reported that the naming-rights deal is “one of the largest in the league” and will run for at least 12 years.
Audi’s logo will be on display around the 20,000-capacity stadium, which the club will break ground on in the first quarter of 2017.
“Audi has transcended the automobile industry and fully embraced the culture of soccer, especially in MLS,” Jason Levien, managing general partner at DC United, said. “We couldn’t think of a better partner to name our stadium and we look forward to forging extraordinary memories for years to come at Audi Field.”
The Audi Field project has been granted conditional approval by the DC Zoning Commission, a five-member panel which will vote again today (Thursday) on the matter. The hearing is expected to grant final approval for the development.
Audi Field will also host other sporting and cultural events, community activities and concerts.
Audi is also a partner of MLS, having first teamed up with the league in 2015.