October 31 (2024)

The convoluted naming rights history of St. Louis CITY’s stadium takes another turn with the announcement that the facility will be renamed Energizer Park starting on Jan. 1, 2025. Opened in November 2022 in time for CITY’s inaugural 2023 season, the venue was to be called Centene Stadium under a 15-year deal with Centene Corporation announced in February 2022. Centene backed out of the deal in October 2022, just four months before the start of CITY’s inaugural season. The sponsorless stadium was rechristened CITYPARK. St. Louis-based Energizer Holdings, a battery maker founded in 1896, was a subsidiary of St. Louis-headquartered Ralston Purina from 1986-2000. Nestle Purina PetCare, a direct descendant of Ralston Purina, bought the rights as CITY’s front-of-jersey sponsor in March 2021. Details of the Energizer stadium naming rights deal were not disclosed, but MLS stadium naming rights fees reportedly range from $3 million to $5 million per year.