Etihad Stadium to be renamed Marvel Stadium from September 1

CHILDREN regard footy players as superheroes, and now young fans will have the ideal place to watch them in action as Etihad Stadium turns into Marvel Stadium from September 1 in an eight-year deal with the Walt Disney Company. SEE MITCHELL TOY’S AFL HERO GALLERY

Ed Gardiner

2 min read

May 24, 2018 - 8:51PM

Etihad Stadium will become Marvel stadium in naming rights deal with Walt Disney.

VIC News

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CHILDREN already regard footy players as superheroes, and now young fans will have the ideal place to watch them in action.

Etihad Stadium will be renamed Marvel Stadium from September 1 as part of an eight-year deal with the Walt Disney Company. It will offer “an immersive entertainment experience by bringing to life Marvel characters”.

As well as the stadium rebrand, the deal allows for the construction of a premium Marvel shop.

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Marvel, owned by Disney, is responsible for some of this century’s biggest superhero blockbusters, including The Avengers and Captain America.

Marvel Stadium, starring Lance “Buddy” Franklin as Dr Strange. Illustration: Mitchell Toy

Tiger Dustin Martin takes on the role of Iron Man. Illustration: Mitchell Toy

High-flying Pie Jeremy Howe as Thor. Illustration: Mitchell Toy

Captain America, otherwise known as Patrick Dangerfield. Illustration: Mitchell Toy

The company owns the rights to legendary comic book characters Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and Deadpool — as well as old-school Disney favourites such as Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. The stadium’s chief executive, Michael Green, said the new deal would mean more than a new name.

“This will be a naming rights relationship like no other in Australia,” Mr Green said.

“We will be delivering an immersive entertainment experience by bringing to life Marvel characters and content throughout Marvel Stadium.”

Iâ€™m a new deal, Etihad Stadium will be renamed â€˜Marvel Stadiumâ€™ and not the more accurate â€˜Worst Place in the Worldâ€™.
— Titus O'Reily (@TitusOReily) May 23, 2018

So @EtihadStadiumAU is going to be renamed by @Disney to Marvel Stadium. Best news ever. In the end, nerds won! pic.twitter.com/h1VfoNdoLF
— Alannah the #Wayward Banana (@AlanaAlannah) May 23, 2018

Hopefully Rene Kink gets to play a match at Marvel Stadium. #TheIncredibleHulk pic.twitter.com/4E2qECRlWg
— Dylan Leach (@leachitup) May 24, 2018

While he wouldn’t give away exactly what was planned, Mr Green said people would be left in “no doubt” that they’d be arriving at Marvel Stadium.

Shortly after Thurday’s announcement, bemused Melburnians took to social media to share their reactions.

Several readers dubbed the venue “Mickey Mouse Stadium” in apparent disdain for the change.

“What’s next? Donald Duck Dome?” wrote Michael Skerrett.

Satirical sports writer Titus O’Reily wrote that the new name would more accurately describe the stadium as the “Worst Place in the World”.

Etihad stadium ANOTHER name change... WTF is Marvel Stadium 🤮🤮
— Brad Gallagher (@wanderingpugsly) May 23, 2018

If Chris Hemsworth is not there when they officially launch as Marvel Stadium then it will be the worst marketing decision ever, like seriously you have an Avenger who is a Bulldogs fanatic, it just makes sense! pic.twitter.com/cRUfpDKxzl
— Matilda (@thetellyhope) May 23, 2018

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Twitter user Matilda said she wanted to see Thor actor Chris Hemsworth at the launch.

“If Chris Hemsworth is not there when they officially launch as Marvel Stadium, then it will be the worst marketing decision ever ... like seriously you have an Avenger who is a Bulldogs fanatic, it just makes sense.”