UK telco brand Vodafone has signed as the main partner for English Premiership Rugby club Wasps Rugby, and Netball Superleague team Wasps Netball.
Under the two-year deal, from 2019-20 to 2020-21, the Vodafone logo will feature on the front of Wasps Rugby’s shirt and Wasps Netball’s dress for the next season.
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The partnership will see a significant investment in the rugby and netball club’s home venue – the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
This will include 5G technology and augmented reality half-time entertainment services.
A new innovation centre will also be set up to benefit businesses and start-ups across the West Midlands.
The centre will be similar to Vodafone’s digital innovation hub at MediaCityUK in Salford, Greater Manchester.
Stuart Cain, managing director at Wasps, said: “The West Midlands is at the forefront of the UK’s 5G investment programme, so it’s a major achievement for Wasps to secure a partnership with such a well-known global business that allows us to harness this technology.
“The potential for 5G is huge. More than 1.6 million people visit Ricoh Arena every year, and there are thousands of local business across the region that could benefit from this emerging technology.
“It also positions Vodafone as a major investor in the region’s economy as the 5G roll-out gains more traction across the West Midlands Combined Authority region.”
Vodafone takes over as the main club partner at both Wasp Rugby and Wasps Netball from UK carmaker Land Rover, which has held the dominant sponsor role since 2014-15.