Naming Rights Partners Wanted for Luna Hall and Ashiya Park Tennis Courts

It looks like Ashiya City is currently seeking naming rights partners for two facilities: the large and small halls at Ashiya Civic Center and the paid-use facilities at Ashiya Park.

Screenshot from the official Ashiya City website

Simply put, it means that if you pay for the rights, you can have your company or brand name added to a facility’s name.

What are naming rights?

Naming rights are a system in which private companies and other organizations purchase the right to give a public facility a nickname.

Ashiya City reportedly uses the revenue from naming rights to make its facilities more appealing and fund their stable operation and maintenance.

However, not just any nickname will be accepted. It must be appropriate for the facility’s purpose and something local residents can feel familiar with.

The Two Facilities Seeking Partners

Large and Small Halls at Ashiya Civic Center

These are the halls commonly known as Luna Hall. The current naming rights agreement with DAF Co., Ltd. for the nickname “Renaissance Classics Ashiya Luna Hall” runs through March 31, 2027, so the city is now looking for its next partner.

Proposed nicknames must take the form “○○ Luna Hall” or “Luna Hall ○○,” and the name “Luna Hall” must be included.

Here it is on the map ↓

The address is 8-24 Narihira-cho, Ashiya, Hyogo.

Paid-Use Facilities at Ashiya Park (Tennis Courts, etc.)

These paid-use facilities are located in an area with a pine grove along the Ashiya River, with the tennis courts serving as the main facilities in Ashiya Park.

Here it is on the map ↓

The address is 4-4 Matsuhama-cho, Ashiya, Hyogo.

Details including the application requirements, naming rights fees, and deadline are available on the official Ashiya City website, so please take a look if you’re interested. For inquiries, contact the DX and Administrative Reform Promotion Division, Mayor’s Office, Planning Department at 0797-38-2172.

Existing Naming Rights Agreements for Facilities in Ashiya

A variety of facilities already have official nicknames:

• Large and small halls at Ashiya Civic Center → Renaissance Classics Ashiya Luna Hall
  • DAF Co., Ltd. / ¥3 million per year (April 2022–March 2027)
• Gymnasium and Youth Center → Shinko Sports Gymnasium and Youth Center
  • Shinko Sports Hyogo Co., Ltd. / ¥1 million per year (April 2024–March 2029)
• Kawanishi Sports Ground → Shinko Sports Ground
  • Shinko Sports Hyogo Co., Ltd. / ¥500,000 per year (April 2024–March 2029)
• Ashiya City General Park → Miratap Park Ashiya
  • Miratap Inc. / ¥600,000 per year (May 2024–March 2029)
• Uchide Education and Culture Center and Uchide Park → Uchibun
  • JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. / ¥2 million per year (May 2024–March 2029)
• Pedestrian Deck → Ashiya Takasho Deck
  • Takasho Co., Ltd. / ¥200,000 per year (April 2026–March 2031)

Although “Uchibun” is a naming rights nickname, it isn’t a brand name. Instead, the name already used by local residents was officially adopted so people could continue calling it by the same familiar name. The pedestrian deck in front of JR Ashiya Station has also had an official nickname since April of this year.

In Closing

Naming rights have already been introduced at a number of facilities. This time, the city is seeking a new partner for the tennis courts and another new partner for Luna Hall. Hopefully, companies in the sports industry and those involved in culture and the arts will step forward!

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