Glamorgan have renamed their stadium Sophia Gardens Cardiff following the end of their sponsorship agreement with SSE.
Since 2007, the ground has been named the SWALEC Stadium after a partnership was agreed with the company and subsequently, when SSE acquired the company, the SSE SWALEC since the 2015 Ashes Test at the venue.
SWALEC’s sponsorship deal with the ground was a rumoured to be more than £1.5million over 10 years, the biggest deal with any county cricket club at the time.
The venue has been used by Glamorgan since 1967, and prior to its initial name change in 2007, had been known solely as Sophia Gardens, and has hosted international matches since 1999.
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James Anderson and Monty Panesar leave the field after the draw against Australia in 2009[/caption]
England’s most famous appearance at the ground is without doubt the opening Test of the 2009 Ashes series, which culminated in batting heroics from James Anderson and Monty Panesar as they saved the Test against Australia on a memorable final day.
Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris said: “Our partnership with SSE has come to an end but I would like to thank them for being part of the Glamorgan family for the last 10 years and for helping to grow the game of cricket in Wales.
“We will instead use a name which connects Glamorgan back to its past and location within the beautiful Sophia Gardens grounds.”
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Sophia Gardens Cardiff will be the home stadium for a new franchise in the ECB’s new limited-overs tournament to begin in 2020 and is due to host eight international matches between 2020 and 2024, in addition to two this summer–- an ODI against Australia and a T20I against India.
“Sophia Gardens Cardiff also strengthens our connection with our capital city, as well as our partner Cardiff Council who have been an incredible support to the club over the years,” Morris added.
“We are actively searching for a new principal venue partner to coincide with the start of the new international calendar and new competition starting in 2020.”
