Arsenal have been required to rename the Emirates Stadium ahead of their Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid.
On Tuesday night, the Gunners will continue their quest for their first Champions League title as they host defending champions Real Madrid in England for the first leg of the tie.
With Bukayo Saka returning from a hamstring injury and Real Madrid stars Antonio Rüdiger, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Dani Ceballos all available after avoiding potential bans, the match is anticipated to be one of the season’s most thrilling encounters.
However, fans tuning in will notice a significant change—Arsenal have been required to temporarily rename their home ground.
Due to a lesser-known UEFA regulation, the Emirates Stadium will be referred to as Arsenal Stadium for the duration of the match, as UEFA does not acknowledge stadium sponsorships in club and international competitions.
This rule also affects Bayern Munich, whose Allianz Arena will be renamed the Munich Football Arena for their quarter-final match against Inter Milan, just as it was during the 2024 European Championship.
Earlier in the competition, Manchester City had to remove Etihad sponsorship and list their ground as The City of Manchester Stadium for European fixtures.
UEFA’s strict sponsorship rules have also led to clubs altering their official names. Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg competes as FC Salzburg in European tournaments and modifies their crest to comply with regulations.
When asked whether Tuesday’s match against Real Madrid was the biggest of his managerial career, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta responded: “100 percent.
“It’s a joy to prepare for the game, to see the reaction of people, and to feel the excitement around the club.
“This is the final stage of the competition—where we want to be and where Arsenal must be consistently. We are very proud to be here and ready to deliver tomorrow.”
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