Manchester City: Stadium naming rights up for grabs

Success on the pitch has made Manchester City a more attractive to investors

Manchester City has confirmed that it is looking to sell naming rights for its City of Manchester Stadium.

Chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak said the club's FA Cup Final victory and Champions League success had made the club more attractive to sponsors.

He said they would be "exploring every single commercial avenue".

The club has qualified for the first time for the European Champions League and won its first trophy for 35 years with the 1-0 FA Cup victory over Stoke.

The chairman said: "I believe we have a bigger commercial opportunity, including naming rights all for the benefit of maintaining the strength of the squad.

"And also for maintaining the financial strength of this company."

City is owned by billionaire Sheikh Mansour who has warned fans that there will not be a major spending spree on new players.

Athletics venue

Originally designed as part of Manchester's bid to host the 2000 Olympics, the stadium was the centrepiece of the city's 2002 Commonwealth Games.

After the Games, it was converted for use by Manchester City, and the club moved to it from its former Maine Road stadium in Moss Side.

The ground is owned by Manchester City Council, not the football club.

A Manchester Council spokesman declined to comment on whether the council would get a share of the naming rights deal.

A victory parade celebrating the club's FA Cup win will take place on Monday at 1800 BST, starting at Manchester Town Hall.