Apollo Projects replaces Orangetheory as naming rights sponsor for Christchurch stadium

Local design and commercial construction company Apollo Projects has secured naming rights to Christchurch’s Orangetheory Stadium, replacing fitness franchise Orangetheory.

Set to commence from 1st August, Venues Ōtautahi said the new partnership with Apollo will be in place until the end of life of Apollo Projects Stadium - the venue having been opened in its present form as a 'temporary' venue in 2012, having been built to replace the city's former Lancaster Park which had been irreparably damaged in the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

It will be replaced by the new 30,000-capacity Te Kaha/Canterbury Arena.

Orangetheory, which acquired naming rights to the 18,000-seat venue back in April 2019, has not grown in New Zealand as expected when it launched, currently operating three facilities in the country.

Commenting on the new partnership, Venues Ōtautahi chief executive, Caroline Harvie-Teare advised “both Apollo Projects and Venues Ōtautahi are proudly local, take a community-centric approach to how we do business and are aligned in wanting to deliver the best outcomes for a region we are so proud of.

“Apollo Projects has an outstanding reputation for delivering state-of-the-art projects and is known for its commitment to sustainability. The company’s values align closely with Venues Ōtautahi’s commitment to social and environmental sustainability and taking a role in contributing positively to the social fabric of the region.”

Apollo Projects Director and Chief Executive, Paul Lloyd, added “at Apollo our purpose is ‘building communities’ and with the sponsorship it will unlock opportunities to enable people that otherwise would not have the means to attend to experience live rugby union.”

Originally known as Rugby League Stadium, the venue is home to Super Rugby franchise the Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby.

It is also the Canterbury region’s major outdoor concert venue with the next big event being a Foo Fighters concert on 24th January 2024.