0°C | Wednesday February 11, 2026 
9 February 2026
North Sydney Council has issued an Expression of Interest to secure financial partners for the North Sydney Pool, opening the door to a potential naming rights agreement.
The Council is actively seeking sponsorship and partnership applications that cover various programs and events, as well as what it describes as “long-term strategic and legacy” arrangements. Crucially, the EOI notice includes naming rights arrangements. While the Council’s release does not specify the exact nature of the opportunity, such a deal would be unprecedented among sporting venues in the local government area.
In a statement, the Council emphasised it is looking for substantial commitment from potential partners. “These are opportunities for partners seeking more than logo placement. Organisations ready to activate, engage and create experiences that have a lasting legacy,” the statement read.
The Council is encouraging proposals that have “a strong emphasis on community wellbeing, inclusion, authentic engagement and long-term impact.”
With the North Sydney Olympic Pool redevelopment currently exceeding a cost of $122 million, the sale of naming rights and commercial partnerships could provide a small financial offset. Major stadiums can secure rights deals worth between $1 million and $5 million annually but the optimal rights value of a pool, albeit one adjacent to the Sydney Harbour Bridge, is relatively untested.
The move appears to have considerable community backing. Feedback gathered during the Council’s Draft Delivery Program & Operational Plan 2025-2029 indicated that 74 per cent of residents support using naming rights for local facilities as a method to offset rate pressures.