October 17 – Lazio are poised to adopt ‘Rome 2030’ as their front-of-shirt sponsor in a free-of-charge deal, in a bid to help their home city gain hosting rights to EXPO 2030.
Virginia Raggi, the former Mayor of Rome, said that Lazio President Claudio Lotito has given his consent to introduce the new logo, with its anticipated debut set for the match against Sassuolo this Saturday.
The news breaks in the aftermath of city-rivals Roma controversially signing a shirt sponsorship deal worth €25 million-per-season deal with Saudi Arabian city Riyadh – Rome’s direct rivals in the bidding for the 2030 World Fair event.
EXPO 2030 host candidates have been narrowed down to Rome and Riyadh, alongside South Korean city Busan. A decision on hosting is expected soon.
With their maroon-clad rivals effectively advertising the direct rivals of their home city, Lazio took the opportunity to take a very public stance, offering to use the Rome 2030 logo on their own jerseys. Whether the move was designed to show support for the team’s home city or dismantle their arch-rival’s local reputation, it has certainly worked in the Sky Blues’ favour.
Lazio are able to do make the shirt available after failing to secure a new front-of-shirt sponsor at the beginning of the season after the end of their deal with Binance.
Lazio return to league action this Saturday versus Sassuolo, and also face Eredivisie champions Feynoord in midweek as their UEFA Champions League group stage approaches its half-way mark. Lazio are currently in a qualifying position after gaining four points from two games in Group E.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1731683844labto1731683844ofdlr1731683844owedi1731683844sni@g1731683844niwe.1731683844yrrah1731683844