Tasmania's Bellerive Oval to be known as Ninja Stadium after naming rights deal

Bellerive Oval/Blundstone Arena, the only venue in Tasmania which hosts international cricket matches, is to be known as the Ninja Stadium, following a four-year naming rights partnership between Cricket Tasmania and kitchen and home appliances company SharkNinja.

The new branding for the 20,000 capacity venue, located in the Hobart suburb of Bellerive, sees the Ninja Stadium name replace that of bootmaker Blundstone - with the venue having been branded as the Blundstone Arena since October 2011 - its first ever commercial name.

Announcing the partnership with SharkNinja, which will hold the naming rights of Bellerive Oval through until at least 2028, with an option of a fifth year, Cricket Tasmania Chief Executive, Dominic Baker said the venue would be ‘the home of female sports’ in Tasmania.

Baker explained “the collaboration between Cricket Tasmania and SharkNinja, has already been of great benefit to both parties as we look to pursue female and family friendly content at Ninja Stadium ahead of this Summer of Cricket.

“We are aligned in our love, ambition, and passion for Women’s sport, and through this partnership, we will continue to see female sport in our state flourish.

“SharkNinja will also join our Hurricanes WBBL and BBL playing kit, along with their commitment to our Stadia.”

Ninja Stadium follows on from SharkNinja being named as the new naming rights partner of the A-League Women’s competition (Ninja A-League) last month, emphasising SharkNinja’s continued commitment to powering Women’s sport in Australia.

Noting that SharkNinja is grateful for the opportunity to grow together in partnership with Cricket Tasmania and further the game, SharkNinja Managing Director Australia and New Zealand, Aby Shukla stated “Australia has been a leading light in women’s sport worldwide and we are grateful to be a part of it.

“Cricket Tasmania inspires many, not just within the state but well beyond. It is home to the only professional women’s team in Tasmania.”

Ninja Stadium will host its first event under its new name on 28th October when the Hobart Hurricanes host the Sydney Thunder in the opening round of the 2024/25 WBBL season, followed by Tasmania v Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield on 1st November.

The venue also hosts a number of AFL home games for North Melbourne each season.

Images: Bellerive Oval from the air (top) and stakeholders at today's naming rights announcement (below, from left): SharkNinja Managing Director Australia and New Zealand Aby Shukla, H and obart Hurricanes captain and Cricket Tasmania Chief Executive Dominic Baker.