New Omsk rink named G-Drive Arena

Gazprom Neft, the Omsk Region and Avangard HC presented the name of the new arena in Omsk at the 2022 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. The sports complex, which is to be commissioned in September 2022, has officially been named G-Drive Arena. The complex will be the home of Avangard hockey club. Affixing a brand name to the arena meets modern trends in sports facilities naming and allows bringing in additional funds and expertise from the key partner for the development of the team and club infrastructure.

Gazprom filling station network’s G-Drive fuel is the best-known brand among high-tech motor fuels in Russia*. A chain of cafes also operates under the brand name, a wide range of goods for car users is produced, including coffee, soft drinks and sport supplement. The G-Drive brand has been a partner of Avangard HC since 2012.

The new arena is being constructed within the framework of a public-private partnership among Gazprom Neft, the Government of the Russian Federation and the Omsk Region government. The construction project is financed by Gazprom Neft and the federal budget on parity basis. One of the main advantages of the new arena is its multifunctionality. It is not just a sports facility, but the key element of Omsk's sports infrastructure, alongside with the most advanced Avangard Hockey Academy. The arena will unite sports and cultural events of the region, and the title partner will help create a great atmosphere for event participants and their guests. The technical readiness of the arena is 80%.

Alexander Dyukov — Chairman of the Management Board, Gazprom Neft:

“The comprehensive program for the development of hockey in Omsk region is being implemented by Avangard within the framework of the 'Native Towns' social investment program of our company. The new arena in Omsk is a key element of the modern hockey cluster that is being formed in the region and aimed at uniting the professional club, the high-tech and comfortable rink, the modern academy and outdoor skating rinks for kids and youth. Such a system approach to the development of hockey will ensure the increased popularity of this sport in the region, and will also allow finding and training talented players for national and international competitions.”

Alexander Burkov, Governor of Omsk Region:

“The construction of the home arena for Omsk hockey club Avangard and team’s returning home are of great importance for all of us. Moreover, the new arena and the modern adjacent recreational infrastructure will become the architectural dominant of the city, the attraction for Omsk residents and tourists. It's not the first time Gazprom Neft, a reliable partner for the region, has invested in the development of the urban environment. It is symbolic that the name of the rink combines a landmark company for the city and a socially significant facility.”

Alexander Krylov, Avangard HC Board of Directors Chairman:

“Partnering landmark sports arenas with commercial brands is a common international practice. Over the past few years, we have accustomed our fans and partners to the fact that Avangard is a brand, establishing a partnership with which is not only effective, but also prestigious. Therefore, it was decided to launch a call for proposals for commercial naming of the new Arena in Omsk.

We received quite a lot of applications from companies representing different business spheres. The most advantageous proposal was submitted by our long-term and reliable partner, Gazprom Neft. The G-Drive brand isn't unfamiliar to Omsk, Omsk people know it very well, the Gazprom Neft filling station network is widely represented in the city, G-Drive is a long-time partner of Avangard HC. I have no doubt that within the framework of this project we will be able to present our partner to maximum effect. On top of that, such contract can be called a guarantee of sustainable financing for Avangard for the next few years, which is also an important factor today. I wish to use this occasion, therefore, to once again invite everyone to the grand opening of the modern and advanced 12 000-seat G-Drive Arena in Omsk in September.”

*According to results of Gazprom Neft retail brand health indicators research conducted by Ipsos Comcon LLC in October-December 2021 in 30 Russian regions of Gazprom Neft filling station network operation with the involvement of 6 200 respondents.

Avangard Hockey Club – 2021 Gagarin Cup champion, two-time champion of Russia, four-time silver medalist and two-time bronze medalist. 2005 European Cup winner. Gazprom Neft is the general partner of the club. On the base of Avangard HC, a modern system for training young hockey players is being developed and G-Drive Arena will become the key element of it. In 2019, the Central Sports Complex of the Avangard Hockey Academy was opened in Omsk. Outdoor rinks are being built for general education schools in Omsk, hockey lesson have been introduced, and free sections are operating. The club carries out its social mission by introducing children to sports and a healthy lifestyle and expanding its own selection funnel of athletes who can become Avangard players in the future.

G-Drive Arena is being constructed within the framework of a public-private partnership among Gazprom Neft PJSC, the Government of the Russian Federation and the Omsk Region government. The LIMAKMARASHSTROY Group of Companies (Turkey) is the general contractor at the construction site.