KEY FACTS
- Rheinmetall and DEG become ‘Premium Partners’
- Commitment initially set for one year
- Rheinmetall will appear on under-ice surfaces at home games from September 2024, among other things
The founding member of the German Ice Hockey League (DEL), Düsseldorfer EG, and Rheinmetall AG will be joining forces in the future. The Düsseldorf-based technology group will become a ‘Premium Partner’ of the eight-time German ice hockey champions for the 2024/25 season.
The partnership will initially run for one year. Rheinmetall will be present at home games on under-ice surfaces, on boards and on other surfaces.
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG: "We see the promotion of top-class sport in the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region as part of our social responsibility ─ and have done so for many years. DEG is a sporting figurehead for Düsseldorf and stands for tradition and passion. Ice hockey is a down-to-earth and authentic sport that inspires countless fans. With our commitment, we want to promote the city's sport and social interaction. And, of course, we want to make Rheinmetall even better known as an attractive employer in the high-tech sector. DEG is a great popular figure and multiplier in the region."
Harald Wirtz, Managing Director of DEG Eishockey GmbH: "Rheinmetall is a company steeped in tradition and one of the largest and most important employers in the region. It is therefore a matter of course for us that Rheinmetall is expanding our circle of partners. We are delighted about this co-operation, which will help us to achieve our future goals. It's great to see how the city of Düsseldorf - also thanks to our Lord Mayor Stephan Keller - stands together in its support of sport."
The partners intend to organise a number of joint activities in the future: For example, not only Rheinmetall employees but also a larger number of citizens will be invited to the PSD BANK DOME as part of a matchday sponsorship programme. In addition, Rheinmetall and DEG intend to continue their involvement in Düsseldorf's urban society in the future, for example in the form of social projects.
About Rheinmetall
The DAX-listed Rheinmetall Group is a global high-tech company. In the 2023 financial year, the company's more than 30,000 employees will generate sales of around €7.2 billion. Rheinmetall has been a partner of the sports city
of Düsseldorf since 2022 and as such is involved in various top-class sports clubs, including the German handball league team Bergischer HC and the German table tennis team Borussia Düsseldorf. Rheinmetall is also the new ‘Champion Partner’ of the Bundesliga football team Borussia Dortmund.
About Düsseldorfer EG
Düsseldorfer EG, founded in 1935, is one of the most popular ice hockey clubs in Germany and a figurehead of Düsseldorf sport. In its almost 90-year, eventful history, the ‘Red and Yellows’ have won numerous titles, including the German championships in 1967, 1972, 1975, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1996 as well as the cup victory in 2006. Based for many decades in the ice stadium on Brehmstraße, DEG has been playing its home games in the PSD Bank Dome in Düsseldorf-Rath since 2006.
