Barnet Copthall
 StoneX Stadium, then known as Allianz Park | |
 | |
| Former names | Allianz Park (stadium) Copthall Stadium (stadium original name) |
|---|---|
| Address | Champions Way, North Hendon London, NW4 England |
| Location | Hendon |
| Coordinates | 51°36′13″N 0°13′25″W / 51.60361°N 0.22361°W |
| Public transit |  Mill Hill East Edgware Mill Hill Broadway |
| Owner | Barnet Council |
| Operator | Barnet Council (Swimming pools and gym) Metro Golf (Driving Range & Golf Course) Saracens F.C. (Stadium) |
| Type | Sports and Recreation |
| Capacity | 10,500 (seated) |
| Website | |
| Leisure Centre StoneX Stadium | |
Barnet Copthall is a sports venue on the
History
Stadium
Prior to the involvement of Saracens, the stadium, then primarily an underdeveloped track and field athletics arena, achieved its greatest fame when London Crusaders (now the London Broncos) made it their home for three seasons of second division professional rugby league between 1993 and 1995.
The much improved stadium today is also home to two athletics clubs, Barnet & District AC and Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers. Before Saracens took over the stadium, it was also home to non-league football club Kentish Town.
In November 2010, Saracens, searching for a new home after their landlord
Since final approval from Barnet Council was still required in May 2011, Saracens and Watford agreed to a one-season extension of the groundshare agreement.
On 25 January 2013, the newly renovated ground had its "soft opening", hosting its first
On 15 March 2015, it hosted the start and finish of the first edition of the North London Half Marathon, which ran to Wembley Stadium and back.[9]
On 25 June 2016, it hosted the gold medal matches for the Men's, Women's and Mixed divisions, and the bronze match for the Men's division, of the World Ultimate and Guts Championship.
On 2 April 2017 the stadium's capacity was expanded to 15,000 to meet capacity requirements for Saracens' European Champions' Cup quarter final match against Glasgow Warriors.
Due to major refurbishments designed to increase permanent base capacity to 10,500, the west stand was mostly closed for the 2019–20, 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, reducing the base capacity of the stadium to 8500.[11]
During COVID-19 the stadium was used as a vaccination centre.[12]
The new completed west stand was named the 1876 Stand in November 2022.
Stadium naming rights
A sponsorship deal with German financial services company Allianz that included stadium naming rights, worth £8 million over six years, was announced on 24 July 2012.[1] The deal which saw the stadium renamed Allianz Park was subsequently extended and scheduled to end in 2021.[13] However, due to a serious breach of financial fair play rules by Saracens, in February 2020 Allianz announced its withdrawal from the arrangement and hence naming rights for the stadium and shirt sponsorship with Saracens would be terminated early. [14][15]
The stadium officially reverted to its original name of Copthall Stadium on 26 October 2020.[16]
In January 2021, Saracens announced a new four-year partnership with StoneX Group which would see Copthall Stadium renamed StoneX Stadium.[2]
Transport
To arrive by public transport at Barnet Copthall the nearest Underground station is
References
- ^ a b "Saracens agree £8m naming deal for new stadium". BBC Sport. 24 July 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ a b "StoneX and City Index announce four-year sponsorship deal with Saracens Rugby". Saracens. 10 January 2021. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- ^ "Saracens set out Copthall Stadium plans". BBC Sport. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 10 November 2010.
- ^ "Saracens return to Watford's Vicarage Road next season". BBC Sport. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
- ^ "Saracens plan for Copthall stadium revamp approved". BBC News London. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
- ^ "LV= Cup: Saracens 19-11 Blues". BBC Sport. 25 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
- ^ "Allianz Park praised after staging first match between Saracens and Cardiff Blues". Sky Sports. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
- ^ "Saracens 31-11 Chiefs". BBC Sport. 16 February 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
- ^ "North London Half". Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2015.
- ^ "World Ultimate and Guts Championship". wfdf.org. Archived from the original on 30 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
- ^ Jones, Chris (6 June 2019). "Saracens critics motivated by 'jealousy'". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ Shapley, Oli (21 June 2021). "Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits StoneX Stadium Vaccination Centre".
- ^ Gangcuangco, Terry. "Allianz extends sponsorship deal with Saracens". insurancebusinessmag.com. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ^ Gangcuangco, Terry. "Allianz cuts ties with Saracens – reports". www.insurancebusinessmag.com. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
- ^ "Allianz and Saracens". Allianz Insurance PLC. Retrieved 13 February 2020.
- ^ "Club statement: Copthall Stadium (interim)". Saracens. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
External links
- Barnet Copthall Stadium UK Running Track Directory