CMA CGM secures Le Havre stadium naming rights
Le Havre’s stadium will become Stade CMA CGM Océane under a five-year naming rights agreement that deepens the shipping group’s regional investment and strengthens the club’s commercial revenues.
Le Havre Seine Métropole has approved the renaming of Stade Océane as Stade CMA CGM Océane, activating a naming rights element within the shipping and logistics group’s expanded partnership with Le Havre AC.The agreement will run for five years and makes CMA CGM the club’s leading private partner. Financial terms were not disclosed.Le Havre president Jean-Michel Roussier said: “We thank the elected representatives of the Urban Community for approving the naming principle and we are happy and enthusiastic about implementing this collaboration with the CMA CGM Group.“This partnership demonstrates both the attractiveness of the club and that of our region. You are now welcome to Stade CMA CGM Océane!”Approval was required because Le Havre Seine Métropole owns the venue, while the club serves as its exclusive operator. The naming provision had been included in the premium partnership previously agreed by Le Havre and CMA CGM.The group’s branding will now be attached to one of the region’s most prominent sports and entertainment assets, giving CMA CGM year-round visibility across football matches and other events.The deal provides Le Havre with an additional central revenue stream at a time when French clubs outside the largest markets are seeking to reduce their dependence on domestic broadcast income.CMA CGM has supported Le Havre since 2021 and has an established operational presence in the port city. The company’s local activities include shipping services, logistics operations and employment across the region.The naming rights agreement extends that relationship beyond conventional sponsorship inventory and connects the brand directly with a publicly owned civic venue.Stade Océane opened in 2012 and has a capacity of about 25,000. It serves as Le Havre’s home ground and has also hosted international football, including matches during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.Retaining Océane within the new name preserves part of the stadium’s existing identity while integrating the title sponsor, potentially limiting supporter resistance to the commercial change.The renamed venue will come into use from the 2026–27 season, with CMA CGM and Le Havre expected to develop further commercial and community activity across the partnership.