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Mackay's new sport and entertainment venue has been named the Virgin Australia Stadium Mackay, following a three-year naming rights sponsorship agreement.

The sponsorship was unveiled prior the 12,200 capacity stadium's opening on Saturday (20th August), when it hosted a Mackay Cutters Queensland Cup rugby league match.

Stadium Chairman, Greg Sutherland, told local media that the sponsorship "gives us another level of credibility."

Operations Manager Clinton Begg said the sponsorship deal would help the stadium committee attract state and national sporting events, such as the NRL and A-League, to the stadium, stating "the naming rights hold quite a significant amount of weight at corporate level.

"From a national level this puts Mackay in a different spot than Rockhampton or Townsville."

Begg added that it was always the intention of the stadium committee to secure a big name as naming rights sponsor and Virgin was quickly identified as a potential suitor, explaining "our intention was always to get a multi-national branding on the stadium.

"We knew they (Virgin) were doing (their own) re-branding and they're a reputable business and they're expanding into Mackay as well."

As part of the sponsorship, Virgin signage has installed at the stadium at ground level, while there will also be an illuminated 7 metre2 Virgin Australia sign erected at the venue.

Virgin Australia spokesperson Liz Savage said the airline was proud to have the airline's name on Mackay's newest sporting venue.

"We hope that Virgin Australia Stadium Mackay will host many national and international sporting and entertainment events, boosting the Mackay local tourism, hospitality and business sectors."

Know known as the Virgin Australia Stadium Mackay, the stadium consists of a western grandstand that can accommodate 2,000 people including 10 corporate boxes, six corporate suites and broadcast box.

$2.5 million of the venue's $11.3 million development cost was spent on installing lighting that is of NRL and television standard so that the stadium can host regular season NRL matches. 

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