December 1 – The Scottish FA has agreed a multi-million-pound naming-rights partnership with Barclays that will see Hampden Park rebranded as Barclays Hampden – the first deal of its kind in the stadium’s long history.
Barclays will also become a partner of both the men’s and women’s Scottish Cup – competitions currently sponsored by Scottish Gas – and take on lead backing of the SFA’s Next Gen Girls’ Performance Programme, what the SFA describes as a “key development pathway for young players”.
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said the deal reflects more than a naming-rights transaction, emphasising the bank’s interest in supporting the entire football ecosystem.
“Barclays’ desire to support Scottish football – across the levels – has been clear,” Maxwell said. “The impact of their investment will be felt within the walls of Barclays Hampden and far beyond, helping fuel programmes that harness the power of football and make an everyday impact in Scottish society.”
Scotland’s men sealed qualification for the 2026 World Cup last month, while the women’s national team begin their 2027 World Cup qualifying campaign next year. Both sides play their home matches at Hampden, and the rebrand arrives just ahead of a packed calendar that includes domestic showpieces such as the Scottish Cup and the League Cup – whose final, St Mirren v Celtic, takes place on December 14.
For Barclays, the deal deepens its footprint in UK football following long-standing investment in the English women’s game.
Tom Corbett, the bank’s managing director of sponsorship, said the company was “thrilled to be ending the year with the addition of the Scottish home of football to our partnership portfolio,” adding that the agreement will support “the next generation of football fans and players”.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]