The former Capelli Sport Stadium in Rochester, NY has a new name, as it is now known as Marina Auto Stadium.
Since opening in 2006, the stadium has been the home of the Rochester Rhinos (USL). The Rhinos are not fielding a team during the 2018 USL season, a decision announced last fall, but the venue is expected to be used for other events during the course of the year.
The naming-rights agreement takes effect immediately. The Marina Auto Group held the naming rights to the stadium previously during the 2009 and 2010 Rochester Rhinos seasons.
“We’re excited to announce the return of locally based Marina Auto Group as the 2018 stadium naming rights partner. Wendy and I have stated since we acquired the operating rights of the stadium, that our desire is to partner with as many locally based companies as possible to collectively support our community and keep professional soccer in Rochester,” said stadium co-operator, David Dworkin. “We have many entertaining promotions planned this season at the stadium in support of both soccer and non-soccer events.”
Marina Auto Stadium will host four regular season USL Soccer matches featuring Toronto FC II as the home team representing Rochester, NY. The USL regular season Toronto FC II match will kick off on Saturday, May 5that 6 PM featuring the return of seven former Rhinos players with Penfield native Dan Lynd, plus former Rhinos Head Coach Bob Lilley and Assistant Coach Mark Pulisic.
“The Marina Auto Group is proud to once again have the naming rights to the longtime home of Rochester’s proud soccer heritage, and have it be known as the Marina Auto Stadium,” said John Gabriele, President of Marina Auto Group. “We are excited to partner with the Dworkin family, the Rhinos organization, and all the many soccer supporters in our community to continue a long-standing commitment to quality soccer in our hometown. Please join us this coming year for some great soccer, as well as some other exciting sports, and cultural events.”
In addition, the popular Rochester Lancers and Lady Lancers and a new soccer team called Rochester Super 9 Pro SC will also call Marina Auto Stadium home this season.
The stadium will also host other community events such as the Taste of ROC event on June 8-9, the Little Italy Festival on June 16 which includes Toronto FC II vs Indy Eleven USL match, Autism up Kite Flight event August 18, and the Chrons and Colitis Charity Walk on Saturday, September 15.
Image courtesy Rochester Rhinos.