Rice University’s football stadium is getting a new name, and it is sticking around for a very long time. The school announced Wednesday that the stadium will become “First Community Stadium” starting Oct. 3, after signing a 20-year naming rights agreement with First Community Credit Union.
The deal makes the credit union the official financial institution for Rice Football, Rice Athletics and the Association of Rice Alumni. The stadium is set to undergo a major renovation as part of the $120 million Gateway Project, which also links the stadium area with Rice Village.
Stadium construction is slated to begin later this year.
The 20-Year Commitment
Twenty years is a long time for a stadium name. Rice chose to enter into the agreement, and the decision covers the full term of the deal.
What the Gateway Project Includes
The Gateway Project is about more than just the stadium. It aims to connect the football area with Rice Village, the shopping district near campus.
The project is part of a larger push to redevelop the area around the university.
The Partnership Details
The credit union becomes the official financial institution for Rice Football, Rice Athletics and the Association of Rice Alumni.
What Comes Next
The stadium construction begins later this year. The project is expected to transform the area around the venue, connecting it to Rice Village as part of the Gateway Project.
The new name takes effect Oct. 3.
Key Facts Box
- New name: First Community Stadium
- Effective date: Oct. 3
- Sponsor: First Community Credit Union
- Length of deal: 20 years
- Project cost: $120 million
- Related initiative: Gateway Project linking stadium to Rice Village
For Rice, the arrangement secures financing for a major project while giving the university a stable partner for two decades. The credit union gets a prominent name on a major college sports venue, along with the association with the university’s athletic and alumni programs.
The announcement signals a new era for Rice’s athletic program, with the stadium serving as a central piece of the university’s broader redevelopment plans. The Gateway Project will connect the football area with Rice Village, and the credit union will support the athletic program for the next two decades.
The name change takes effect Oct. 3. The stadium’s transformation begins later this year.
See the a run of 20 images at ABC13 Houston.
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