Utilita Bowl becomes new name of Hampshire home

The hunt had been on to replace Ageas, ever since it became known last June that the longstanding partnership would be coming to an end

Hampshire's home ground will be known as Utilita Bowl after the venue agreed a multiyear naming-rights deal with the energy supplier.

The hunt had been on to replace Ageas, ever since it became known last June that the longstanding partnership would be coming to an end.

The insurer's brand had been synonymous with the south-coast stadium for 11 years, having initially begun its association with Hampshire in February 2012.

But a new arrangement with Hampshire-based company Utilita will see Hampshire attempt to become "the greenest international cricket venue in the world".

David Mann, chief executive at the venue, added: "As two organisations who already play a major role in helping to add value to our local communities through our respective foundations, together we can extend our efforts even further at a time when this help is needed more than ever.

"This is the dawn of a new era for the venue, and we're excited by the possibilities this partnership will offer."

The first move for that aspiration is set to see the installation of more than 1,000 solar panels, capable of generating around 25 per cent of the electricity used in the stadium each year, and more than enough to cover the electricity consumed during matchdays.

^{Utilita are replacing Ageas as Hampshire's naming-rights partner (Alex Davidson/Getty Images)}

A statement from the venue added that this development would save "a six-figure sum each year in electricity costs, as well as 80 tonnes of carbon per year – the same level of emissions produced by driving 301,855 miles in the average passenger vehicle".

The ground is set to host 19 international fixtures between 2025 and 2031, including a maiden men's Ashes Test in 2027.

"The cheapest and greenest energy is the energy we don't use," said Utilita chief executive Bill Bullen, "and that’s exactly what this partnership is designed to do – cut energy usage. This support doesn't stop at the venue itself but is extended to the over half a million visitors who walk through its doors each year.

"We will work closely with the venue to ensure they lead the way in becoming more sustainable across all aspects of their operations: from travel and matchdays, to the day-to-day running of the ground and any ancillary developments. This truly is a unique, first-of-its-kind partnership in British sport."

The Ageas Bowl was opened in 2001 and went by its original Rose Bowl moniker for its first decade.

Its naming rights became available at the same time a major redevelopment project of the facility is going through the planning process.

The blueprints, which are with Eastleigh Borough Council for consideration, include the construction of 185 new homes, a 142-bedroom hotel, a 71-bedroom care home, a well-being centre and a new pavilion, as well as improvements to the general infrastructure around the site.

Related Topics

• We wanted to hear about Hampshire, not The Hundred