- January 26, 2023
- Posted by: SportsV
- Categories: Home News, Industry News, News, Press Releases
Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) and BMO have announced a naming rights partnership, which means that as of January 19, 2023, the home of LAFC has been renamed BMO Stadium.
Located in the heart of Los Angeles, BMO Stadium will continue to be the home of the 2022 MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield Champions LAFC, the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) Angel City Football Club (ACFC) and host to numerous top-level marquee concerts and events.
The partnership reinforces BMO’s commitment to growing the game of soccer across North America and supports the U.S. expansion pillar of BMO’s North American growth strategy, where BMO currently serves clients through over 500 branches, access to 42,000 ATMs, more than 5,000 employees, and digital banking services in all 50 U.S. states.
BMO will be supporting fans of LAFC and the community throughout the season as the Exclusive and Official Bank of LAFC.
The partnership unites two organisations with a shared vision for the sport, growing the good in the beautiful game. BMO’s support will help LAFC continue to deliver a world-class experience and engage with new fans and audiences, reaching beyond both borders and boundaries.
As The Bank of Soccer, BMO has over a decade of experience partnering with other MLS teams including Toronto FC, CF Montréal and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. BMO has also invested over C$25 million to engage, develop and cultivate youth soccer at every level of competition across Canada since 2005, supporting 150,000 youth athletes in the sport. Through partnerships like these, BMO has been growing the game across North America, working as a driving force to make the game both equitable and accessible, building the next generation of players, leaders, and coaches.
350+ high-level professionals from across the global sports & entertainment landscape were in attendance at ALSD International 2022 where LAFC’s CTO, Christian Lau, took part in a panel session and gave the closing keynote. Check out the wrap video here.
Cameron Fowler, Chief Strategy and Operations Officer, BMO, said:
BMO is thrilled to forge this partnership with LAFC, which reinforces our bank’s commitment to growing the game of soccer across North America. Through BMO Stadium, we will share our passion for soccer and commitment to the Los Angeles community while bringing to life our Purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. We look forward to supporting LAFC and its fans this season and beyond.
LAFC Co-President & CBO, Larry Freedman, said:
Our partnership with BMO unites two organizations that share a vision and commitment to be leaders and forces for good in our community. BMO Stadium is the premier outdoor arena in the Heart of Los Angeles, having established itself as a world class sports and entertainment venue that hosts iconic concerts, events and top-level soccer. We are excited to begin our partnership with BMO, and to welcome our fans, supporters and the people of the city of Los Angeles to BMO Stadium.
The stadium opened in 2018 with the debut of LAFC. Since its founding, LAFC has won the MLS Cup, two Supporters’ Shields and recorded the most wins, points, and goals scored in MLS. LAFC has sold out every MLS regular season and playoff match.
BMO Stadium is also home to ACFC, which made its NWSL debut last season. ACFC led the NWSL in attendance in 2022, averaging more than 19,000 fans per game for its inaugural season. ACFC is led by the largest women-led ownership group in professional sport.
BMO Stadium has a capacity of 22,000 fans for soccer matches and was the first open-air stadium built in Los Angeles since 1962. It has hosted major events such as the 2021 MLS All-Star Game, the 2022 MLS Cup, and numerous high-profile sold-out concerts and festivals featuring The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Black Pink, Twice, Santana, Guns N’ Roses, Armin Van Buren, Rufus Du Sol, Kygo, Maroon 5 and many others.
Source & imagery, courtesy: LAFC
