Nice's stadium to be called the Allianz Riviera

NICE, France (AP) -- French club Nice says its new stadium will be called the Allianz Riviera.

The 18,000-capacity Stade du Ray is set to be replaced by the Grand Stade Nice, which will be completed in 2013 and will hold around 35,000 people.

On its website, Nice says it will receive ?1.8 million ($2.2 million) per year for nine years from Allianz for the naming rights, as well as "startup costs.''

Allianz already sponsor Bayern Munich' stadium - the Allianz Arena - as well as the main one in Sydney - the Allianz Stadium.

The Allianz Riviera will be one of the stadiums for the 2016 European Championship.

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