The Deva Stadium gets a new name as Chester move forward with sponsorship plan

The Blues' stadium has been without a title sponsor since 2023/24

The Deva (CHARLIE STOCKTON)

The home of Chester Football Club has a new name.

Chester have been on the hunt for a new stadium sponsor ever since the last deal with training and coaching consultancy business Leap76’s ended in 2023/24. Prior to that it had been three years without a naming rights partner, with former sponsorship deals seeing it called the 1885 Arena, Swansway Chester Stadium and Lookers Vauxhall Stadium, among others.

From today, the Blues’ home will be known as the Deva Community Stadium, with ‘stadium partners’ offered the chance to get involved on a tiered basis, with packages ranging from £15,000 for the season to £4,000.

The Seal understands that some partners have committed to come on board for the initiative and will be announced in due course.

“We’re delighted to launch our Community Stadium Partners scheme and offer businesses and individuals the opportunity to become part of the fabric of our home,” said club general manager Albert Davies in a statement.

“The initial response so far has been extremely encouraging. We’ve already welcomed a number of community-focused businesses and individuals to our Community Stadium Partners packages, and we’re looking forward to revealing them over the coming weeks.

“The inclusion of the word ‘Community’ within the Deva Community Stadium name reflects what Chester Football Club stands for. As a fan-owned club, our commitment extends far beyond the pitch - with community engagement, inclusivity and local impact at the heart of everything we do.

“The Deva Community Stadium is home to all Chester FC Men’s and Women’s fixtures, but its role extends far beyond matchdays. Throughout the year, the stadium regularly hosts events and functions for local businesses and individuals, is home to an on-site gym, welcomes local junior cup finals, and provides a hub for a wide range of community activities.

“By becoming a Community Stadium Partner, businesses and individuals are not only supporting the future of the stadium, but also helping to champion the values that make us unique.”

Back in May of last year, Chester had advertised the chance for businesses to become a title sponsor, with the naming rights one of the most valuable pieces of sponsorship inventory that the football club has to offer, something that can be significantly impactful to the club’s playing budget if the right deal is achieved.

After some initial expressions of interest, the club is bringing an end to the period without a stadium sponsor in time for 2026/27 season, something that will have a direct impact on what the club is able to do to put a competitive team on the pitch.

Chester chairman Nick Phillipson told The Seal earlier this year: “I think a National League North club is probably harder to sell to a company, particularly a national company, than a National League or certainly an EFL League Two club.

“Because of that, it hasn’t been an easy sell. Post‑Covid, lots of businesses aren’t looking to do that sort of thing. They’re managing their budgets, they’re managing their businesses to survive, with all the pressures and changes that have come in over the last few years.

“There’s something in the pipeline that’s interesting. I can’t say too much more on it, but I think it could get us over the line on it. It’s a slightly new version, and it’s probably something to do with pushing the community side of what we do a bit more.

“There’s a little way to go but hopefully it’ll be something that boosts the budget and gives us a decent extra income that we can then put around the club, into the playing budget, wherever it’s determined.

“So that’s a positive for the future, we think.”