ASIA-PACIFIC – SINGAPORE, JANUARY 6, 2011 – MasterCard announced today that it has obtained naming rights for Beijing‟s iconic Wukesong Arena, the basketball venue for the 2008 Olympic Games, in a landmark deal for China‟s sports and entertainment industry.
The 18,000-seat arena will be renamed the MasterCard Center or, in Chinese, Wanshida Zhongxin, in a five-year deal with the venue owners Bloomage International Investment Group and U.S.-based AEG, one of the leading sports and entertainment presenters in the world. As the strategic partner of Bloomage, AEG together with the U.S. National Basketball Association (NBA), will provide consultancy support in the running of MasterCard Center.
The renaming of the stadium marks another milestone for China’s rapidly growing sports and entertainment industry. It is the first 2008 Olympic Games venue to be rebranded commercially, the first arena in Beijing to be renamed in such a way, and it also marks the first time local ownership and know-how has combined with international event management expertise and sponsorship to bring the world’s best performers to Beijing.
To officially launch MasterCard Center, popular Cantonese pop singer, Jacky Cheung will be performing on January 21. Other renowned artists scheduled to perform in the arena in 2011 include American rock band, the Eagles and Hong Kong singer, Aaron Kwok. In addition, the arena will host NBA basketball, table tennis, badminton and other sports events.
Ling Hai, Division President, Greater China, MasterCard Worldwide, said, “We are delighted to rebrand an iconic Olympics venue as the MasterCard Center in Beijing, the capital city and an emerging market with huge growth potential. We’ve seen in recent years, thanks to the increasing prosperity and stability of China’s economy and society, a surge in public demand for live entertainment and sports events, creating a prosperous and active market for such events. By providing opportunities for unique access to performers and behind-the-scenes action, we aim to bring to local consumers and businesses that we collaborate with a series of Priceless experiences in the MasterCard Center. In Chinese our name means ‘everything is attainable’.”
