Giants announce Engie as new naming rights sponsor of Sydney Showground
Ahead of the 2024 AFL season, Engie Stadium has been unveiled as the new name of the Sydney Showground, previously known as Giants Stadium.
The three-year naming-rights agreement was announced on Thursday at a press conference with the GWS Giants alongside the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS).
The stadium at Sydney Olympic Park had been known as Giants Stadium since 2019, with the AFL club paying for the rights through the support of its patron partners, however during the summer months, cricket continued to refer to the venue as the Sydney Showground Stadium for BBL matches.
At the time, Giants CEO Dave Matthews said, “A club’s stadium is one of the biggest brand assets available and so to be able to have our own Giants brand across a community venue that attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year is a coup for the club.”
Under the new partnership, Engie Stadium will be the naming rights designation throughout the three-year deal, including GWS Giants AFL home games, Sydney Thunder BBL games, the Sydney Royal Easter Show and concerts.
The new name comes into effect immediately, with the stadium to host the GWS Giants v Collingwood opening round match of the 2024 AFL season on Saturday night. The match is sold-out with in excess of 20,000 spectators to flock to Engie Stadium.
Giants CEO David Matthews said the club is delighted to welcome AFL fans to Engie Stadium on Saturday as the club opens its 2024 AFL season with a historic opening round match against the reigning premiers.
“We are delighted with this new partnership and can’t wait to welcome fans to what is now Engie Stadium for the next three years,” Mr Matthews said.
“The Giants brand continues to grow, and we are thrilled to partner with Engie to host thousands of Giants fans as the club continues to stamp its footprint on the sport in NSW, the ACT and beyond.
“The venue itself continues to be a world-class stadium that has been consistently voted as the number one AFL venue in the country for fan experience. From a Giants game day perspective, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality experience for our Orange Army and we can’t wait to continue to deliver that first-class experience at Engie Stadium.
“What better time to announce this partnership than ahead of our season opener against Collingwood on Saturday, a game that’s sold out quicker than any other game in our history at the Stadium.”
The GIANTS, alongside the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW (RAS), today announced a ground-breaking partnership agreement that will see the club’s Sydney Olympic Park home ground re-named ENGIE Stadium.
— GWS GIANTS (@GWSGIANTS) March 7, 2024
Details 📲 https://t.co/dX9e3QKv6k pic.twitter.com/n2ZJFUTk5a
Engie is a global leader in developing renewable energy and has operated in Australia since 1996. With the backing of global expertise and skilled local teams, Engie is supporting the transition to a carbon-neutral economy by providing energy solutions to households, businesses and communities.
In Australia, they have an ambitious goal – to achieve net zero by 2045 by deploying renewable energy, green hydrogen, and storage infrastructure at pace, while leading the transformation from coal-fired power to a clean energy future.
Brock Gilmour, Chief Executive Royal Agricultural Society of NSW said, “The RAS is delighted to partner with the Giants and Engie in this exciting venture.
“For the past 26 years, the stadium has played an integral role in bringing live events and sports to Western Sydney, and as we launch into this new season and era with Engie, we look forward to continuing this legacy.”
Shannon Hyde, MD Engie Retail said, “This partnership is a demonstration of our commitment to NSW both as an energy retailer and a developer of renewable energy projects. 
“Being part of the community is important to us and we know how major events can really bring people together.
"Stadiums such as this one provide so much joy to the community, and it is a privilege to have our brand associated with such a well known and loved Australian Stadium.”
The GWS Giants will open their 2024 AFL season on Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm against Collingwood at Engie Stadium in the AFL’s inaugural Opening Round – the first of eight AFL matches at the stadium during the 2024 home & away season.
It's not the only name change for an AFL stadium ahead of the 2024 season, with Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast set to change its name imminently from Heritage Bank Stadium to People First Stadium before Saturday's opening round clash for the Suns.
