Durban – As Hollywoodbets continues to further entrench itself in KwaZulu-Natal cricket, it has taken on the official naming rights of the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium with immediate effect.
One of the country’s leading licensed bookmaking businesses, Hollywoodbets, has been at the forefront of cricket sponsorship in the province for the past four seasons and this new five-year partnership agreement will see them involved until at least August 2024.
The ground has been going through a vast revamp in the lead up to the new season, as the iconic Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium prepares to host the upcoming domestic season and current world champions England in another exciting summer of cricket.
Kingsmead achieved iconic status through its rich history which includes the famous Timeless Test between South Africa and England in 1939, as well as being the first ground in South Africa to host a Test match, post-isolation, when South Africa played India in 1992.
Media and Communications Executive at Hollywoodbets Devin Heffer is excited to build on the legacy that Hollywoodbets has started with cricket in the province.
“Our first step into cricket started in the 2015/16 season as associate sponsors of the then Sunfoil Dolphins, and then becoming title sponsors the following year.
“The decision to take over naming rights of Kingsmead has a lot to do with the incredible team at the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union.
“Led by CEO Heinrich Strydom, KZNCU in the last two years has seen positive and dramatic changes in the running of the union, as well as welcome upgrades to the stadium and its facilities.
“We want Test cricket back at Kingsmead. But most importantly, we want the fans back at Kingsmead. Our goal is to make Kingsmead the place to be for every cricketing occasion.
“This stadium is indisputably one of the most iconic grounds in world cricket. There is also a lot of work going into reviving and showcasing the history of Kingsmead,” Heffer said.
“We are thrilled that Hollywoodbets has decided to take the naming rights for one of the world’s most iconic cricketing venues,” CEO of KZN Cricket, Heinrich Strydom said.
“As a company with its roots in the city, it’s fantastic that we can work so closely together from both a team sponsorship and stadium sponsorship perspective.”
“It has been an absolute privilege to partner up with Hollywoodbets during the past few years. They are incredibly professional people with immense passion for sport and the communities where they are based.”
“We are very excited about this announcement and what it will mean for the future of cricket in KZN.”
Hollywoodbets Kingsmead is the home of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins as well as the Durban Heat franchise and will be a hive of cricketing activity across many formats and levels of the game.
It will also provide the venue for a One Day International and a T20 International against current world champions England this Summer.
