Wigan's JJB Stadium to be renamed

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson opened the JJB stadium

The JJB Stadium, home of football team Wigan Athletic and rugby league club Wigan Warriors, will be renamed the DW Stadium from 1 August.

It is being named after Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan's DW Sports Fitness.com venture.

"The JJB Stadium has made Wigan known all over the world and now we can look forward to a whole new era as the DW Stadium," said Whelan.

The stadium was opened by Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson in 1999.

The decision to change the name of the ground continues a trend of football clubs exploiting the commercial potential of companies sponsoring their stadia.

606: DEBATE What do you think of the new name for Wigan's home?

Fellow Premier League side Arsenal named their new ground the Emirates Stadium after a deal with a leading airline.

In the Championship, Coventry play their home games at the Ricoh Arena, while League One's Leicester City turn out at the 32,000 capacity Walkers Stadium, named after a local crisps manufacturer.

Further down the divisions, League Two boasts Bradford City's Coral Windows Stadium, which has previously been known as Intersonic Stadium, Pulse Stadium, Bradford and Bingley Stadium and, most famously, Valley Parade.