Arsenal’s training base, London Colney, embarks on a new chapter as the Sobha Realty Training Centre, following a multimillion-pound sponsorship agreement with the Dubai-based property giant.

This partnership marks a significant step in Arsenal’s commercial strategy, aiming to boost its financial standing among Premier League elites.

Arsenal has entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Sobha Realty, a leading Dubai-based real estate developer. This collaboration has led to the renaming of Arsenal‘s training facility, London Colney, now known as the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

This move not only signifies the first naming rights sponsorship in the training ground’s 24-year history but also heralds Sobha Realty’s entry as the official training kit sleeve sponsor for both the men’s and women’s teams of Arsenal.

The alliance between Arsenal and Sobha Realty started in September 2023, when Sobha secured the naming rights to a matchday hospitality suite at Emirates Stadium. Since then, Sobha Realty’s branding has become a familiar sight across the stadium and Meadow Park, the home of Arsenal’s women’s team.

This naming rights agreement stands as a pivotal moment for Arsenal, representing the club’s latest initiative to strengthen its commercial revenue streams. According to the Deloitte Football Money League report for the 2022-23 season, Arsenal is striving to narrow the financial gap with its Premier League counterparts, having generated €195 million in commercial revenue, trailing behind clubs like Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Chelsea.

The deal with Sobha Realty marks Arsenal‘s eighth commercial agreement since the culmination of the 2022-23 season, underlining the club’s vigorous efforts led by Chief Commercial Officer Juliet Slot and CEO Vinai Venkatesham. This concerted push towards boosting commercial revenue is aimed at ensuring Arsenal’s long-term sustainability and competitiveness on and off the pitch.

Juliet Slot articulated the significance of this partnership, highlighting it as a testament to Arsenal’s commitment to forging mutually beneficial partnerships that align with the growth objectives of both parties involved. She emphasised the groundbreaking nature of this agreement, marking Sobha Realty’s debut as a training ground naming rights partner, which supports their global expansion ambitions.

Echoing the enthusiasm, Arsenal’s Sporting Director, Edu, lauded the agreement as a vital development for enhancing the club’s facilities for players, coaches, and support staff across both the men’s and women’s teams.

Ravi Menon, Sobha co-chairman, reflected on the partnership’s broader aspirations, aiming to create a lasting legacy and make a significant impact that transcends the boundaries of traditional sponsorship.

This partnership between Arsenal and Sobha Realty is not just a commercial deal but a collaborative effort aimed at fostering growth, sustainability, and a lasting legacy, setting a precedent for future collaborations in the world of sports and business.