BT Sport Arena unveiled at Parc y Scarlets

(picture caption: Scarlets’ Will Taylor and Kirby Myhill with Scarlets Commercial Manager Rhys Thomas (left) and Steve Jones, Openreach (right).

Welsh Pro Rugby’s most successful rugby supporters hub – the popular 2,000 capacity indoor arena at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli has been renamed the BT Sport Arena ahead of the new season.

As part of its growing support and investment into club rugby and three-year partnership with the four Welsh pro rugby teams, BT Sport has sponsored the indoor arena at the Scarlets’ home ground.

The Supporters Village within the BT Sport Arena will host a lively crowd of supporters pre and post match for its opening home game of the season as the Scarlets host Ulster this Saturday afternoon (Sept 12^th kick off 3pm) with new BT Sport branding unveiled at the entrance to the arena.

As well as match day entertainment, the large 70 x 40m indoor arena provides a state-of-the-art 3G surface training facility for the rugby squad during the week and a thriving community sports facility in between rugby all year round.

With more than 130,000 supporters enjoying match day rugby at Parc y Scarlets on average each season together with a growing stadium conference & banqueting and events attendance of more than 250,000 a year – a total of around 400,000 people will visits Parc y Scarlets each year – with more than 63,000 attending events in the BT Sport Arena.

Darran Phillips, Chief Executive of the Scarlets said: “We have a very progressive and strong partnership with BT Sport who truly understand and support what rugby means to our supporters and communities and want to share in our vision and ambition as rugby businesses.

“The Supporters Village within the BT Sport Arena is a unique and friendly rugby environment where supporters, families and friends come together share in everything that is distinctive about Welsh rugby. It’s home to a range of match day activities from youngsters competing in TAG rugby and having fun on inflatables to live music, player interviews, rugby games on the TV screens and locally sourced food and drink.

“BT Sport has backed the Arena as it continues to be enjoyed by home and away supporters, families and rugby devotees of all ages as a focal point where our rugby communities can come together and celebrate the traditions of club rugby.”

And true to their commitment to inspire new generations in rugby, at their opening game of the season v Ulster this Saturday, the Scarlets will be visited by junior teams from across the region including Felinfoel, Llanelli Wanderers, Milford Haven, Tumble, and all who attended the Summer Rugby Camps at Aberystwyth, Tenby, Neyland and Parc y Scarlets.

The Scarlets have strong links with partners in education and local government and work closely with 49 regional clubs, three universities and FE Colleges plus 28 secondary schools and 248 primary schools all who can benefit from the wider facilities found at Parc y Scarlets.

• BT Sport’s new multi-million pound agreement over three years was announced in May 2014 and is the largest joint sponsorship in the history of the four pro rugby teams in Wales.
• The partnership includes a commitment to community development programmes in Wales that will see BT working closely with the Regions to link the Welsh national sport and its rugby role models with technology, education and community investment in sport.
• BT Sport holds the rights to Aviva Premiership and European Rugby Champions Cup along with coverage the Singha Premiership 7s Series.
• BT Sport broadcasts its magazine show Rugby Tonight on Monday evenings which sees rugby news, views and lively debate presented in front of a live TV audience.
• BT Sport channels are now taken by more than five million homes; it is the biggest sports channel in pubs and clubs and was the fastest growing TV services ever launched in the UK.
• For more information visit: btsport.com. Follow @BTSport on Twitter for the latest news.