NEWLY NAMED ‘UTILITA BOWL’ STRIVES TO BECOME THE WORLD’S GREENEST CRICKET GROUND IN NEW MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP

Southampton, UK | The South Coast’s premier international cricket, music and leisure destination will be renamed Utilita Bowl from 19 January as part of a ground-breaking multi-year deal that will enable the sustainable supplier to guide and support the venue’s ambition of becoming the world’s greenest cricket ground.

As part of the partnership, Utilita Energy, the UK’s ninth-largest energy supplier, has taken over as naming rights partner.

The newly-branded Utilita Bowl has now set out a bold vision for creating the greenest international cricket venue in the world in this unique sustainable sporting partnership, while supporting those who visit to make energy savings.

The first step of many in this pro-planet partnership will see the installation of more than 1,000 solar panels, capable of generating around 25 per cent of the electricity used in the stadium each year, and more than enough to cover the electricity consumed during match days.[1] 

This solar array will save the venue a six figure sum each year in electricity costs - as well as 80 tonnes of carbon per year – the same level of emissions produced by driving 301,855 miles in the average passenger vehicle.

The multi year agreement will cover a unique period in the history of the venue, which sees Utilita Bowl host 19 international cricket fixtures from 2025 – 2031. This includes both a Men’s Ashes Test in 2027 and a Women’s Ashes Test in 2031.

In addition to hosting international cricket and the most successful men’s and women’s domestic T20 teams, Utilita Bowl is also a live music venue which has hosted some of the world’s leading artists including Arctic Monkeys, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and Oasis.

David Mann, CEO at Utilita Bowl, said:

“We’re delighted to partner with Utilita, a Hampshire based business who share our values and can now help shape our vision of creating the greenest international cricket venue in the world.

“As two organisations who already play a major role in helping to add value to our local communities through our respective foundations, together we can extend our efforts even further at a time when this help is needed more than ever.

“This is the dawn of a new era for the venue, and we’re excited by the possibilities this partnership will offer.”

Bill Bullen, CEO at Utilita, said:

“The cheapest and greenest energy is the energy we don’t use, and that’s exactly what this partnership is designed to do – cut energy usage. This support doesn’t stop at the venue itself but is extended to the over half a million visitors who walk through its doors each year.

“We will work closely with the venue to ensure they lead the way in becoming more sustainable across all aspects of their operations: from travel and match days, to the day-to-day running of the ground and any ancillary developments.

“This truly is a unique, first-of-its-kind partnership in British sport.”

George Walters, Chief Home Services Officer at Utilita, comments on the environmental impact the new partnership will have:

“Solar is the one of the most effective ways that a business can reduce its reliance on using electricity from the National Grid, of which around half is still generated using dirty fossil fuels.

“The solar array at Utilita Bowl will generate 381,829kwh per year, which is a reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to a standard car driving the length of the UK 360 times – a total of 301,855 miles. Solar is just the first step in enabling the venue to become net zero.

“This partnership will benefit from the learnings, results and innovations created by Utilita’s own journey towards becoming a net zero business by 2030 - the most ambitious target across the UK retail energy sector.”

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Press enquiries:

Utilita Bowl & Hampshire Cricket: Nick Rewcastle, New Reach PR | nick@nr-pr.uk

Utilita: Sam Hatherley, PR and Communications Executive | samhatherley@utilita.co.uk or 07729688211

[1] The solar array at Utilita Bowl will generate 381,829kwh per year.