Chelsea's iconic Stamford Bridge stadium could be renamed if "major" and "long-term" partnership comes off

Chelsea's iconic Stamford Bridge stadium could be set for a potential shock renaming, reports claim.

The ground, which was opened in 1877, has been Chelsea's home since 1905 and has undergone a number of alterations over the years.

It became an all-seater stadium in the 1990s, with its current capacity stands at 40,000 - making it the eleventh-largest stadium in the United Kingdom.

But a huge change could be coming to Chelsea's home, as per a new report from the Daily Mail.

German insurance giants Allianz are said to be extremely keen on a "major and long-term" partnership with the Blues to continue their footballing expansion.

Allianz have naming rights for a total of seven different stadiums across the world, including Bayern Munich, Juventus, OGC Nice, SK Rapid Wien and Palmeiras.

They are yet to acquire an arena in England and Stamford Bridge has emerged as a serious possibility for their next addition in the "family of stadiums".

Image: Alamy

The report claims Allianz were initially interested in a shirt sponsorship after the west London side's link with Three expired.

However, the Blues have controversially penned a deal with Stake, an online casino firm who have also had their logo on the front of Watford and Everton shirts in recent times.

Gambling sponsors will be prohibited as a club's main shirt sponsor at the end of the 2025/26 season.

Allianz declined to provide comment to the Daily Mail on a potential renaming deal with Chelsea, who SPORTbible reached out to for comment.

Image: Alamy

When Todd Boehly's consortium completed their £4.25billion takeover of Chelsea around a year ago, they pledged to provide £1.75 billion to fund "investments in Stamford Bridge, the academy, the women's team and Kingsmeadow”.

A new 60,000 stadium on the exact same site is the plan, but the club would be away from Stamford Bridge for at least four years while the new facility is built.