View source for Eco-Power Stadium

{{short description|Multi-purpose stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name      = Eco-Power Stadium
| image             = Doncaster , Keepmoat Stadium - geograph.org.uk - 6632949.jpg
| image_size        = 250px
| former names		= Keepmoat Stadium {{small|(November 2006&ndash;December 2021)}} Doncaster Community Stadium {{small| (Planning Permission)}}
| nickname          = Black Bank, The Moat, Keepmoat Stadium, KMS
| fullname          = Eco-Power Stadium
| location          = Stadium Way, Lakeside, [[Doncaster]], [[South Yorkshire]], England DN4&nbsp;5JW
| coordinates       = {{coord|53|30|35|N|1|6|50|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| built             = 2006
| opened            = {{Start date and age|2007|08|03|df=y}}
| owner             = [[Doncaster Rovers Football Club]]
| operator          = [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers Football Club]] 
| seating_capacity  = 15,231
| surface           = [[Desso GrassMaster]]
| tenants           = '''Football'''<br />[[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] (2007–present)<br />[[Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C.|Doncaster Rovers Belles]] (2007–present)<br />[[Harrogate Town A.F.C.|Harrogate Town]] (2020)<br /> '''Rugby League'''<br />[[Doncaster R.L.F.C.]] (2007–present)<br />[[Sheffield Eagles]] (2015, 2021)
| record_attendance = 15,001 v [[Leeds United]]<br />(1 April 2008)
}}

The '''Eco-Power Stadium''' (formerly known as '''Keepmoat Stadium''') is a [[multi-purpose stadium]] in [[Doncaster]], England, with a capacity of 15,231. It cost approximately [[Pound sterling|£]]20&nbsp;million to construct, as part of the wider Lakeside Sports Complex that it resides within which in total cost approximately £32 million, and is used by [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]], [[Doncaster R.L.F.C.|Doncaster Rugby League Club]] and [[Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C.|Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies Football Club]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.smc-doncaster.co.uk/press/091106.html |title="Keepmoat Stadium" new name for centre-piece of £32million Lakeside Sports Complex |work=Stadium Management Company, Doncaster |date=20 November 2006 |access-date=28 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008040303/http://www.smc-doncaster.co.uk/press/091106.html |archive-date= 8 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Facilities==
===Stands===

[[File:Keepmoat stadium doncaster layout.png|thumb|Stadium seating area layout]]
[[File:Doncaster Rovers v Harrogate Town (25th January 2025) 005.jpg|thumb|Keepmoat Stadium interior]]

====East Stand====

The East Stand is sponsored by Donasonic.<ref>[https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/siteassets/content/8.fans/drfc_ftf_guide_1819.pdf "DCLT", web]</ref> The area of the East Stand towards the South East corner is the Families area sponsored by First Bus Ltd. and is known as the "First" Families Stand.<ref>[http://www.firstbus.co.uk/ "DCLT", web]</ref>

====West Stand====

This is the main match-day reception area with the stand sponsored by Red Viking Rail, and is known as the "James Coppinger West Stand", after former Doncaster Rovers player [[James Coppinger]].

====South Stand====

The South Stand, popularly known as the Black Bank, is sponsored by [[Polypipe]]. For Doncaster Rovers matches this is the stand that houses the Black Bank (the [[ultras]] group of Doncaster Rovers supporters) and is decorated with flags and banners on match days, widely known for creating a fantastic atmosphere.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blackbank.co.uk/about-the-black-bank/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503163425/http://blackbank.co.uk/about-the-black-bank/|archive-date=3 May 2015 |title=Black Bank - About us}} </ref>

====North Stand====

The North Stand is sponsored by Pass Logistics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/away-guide-doncaster-rovers |title=Away guide: Doncaster Rovers |website=Chesterfield FC |access-date=8 November 2024}}</ref> The North Stand area closest to the East Stand is the usual location of visiting fans. Depending on the numbers of visitors, the availability of seats in this area are expanded westwards to meet demand.

====Capacity====

The all-seater stadium holds 15,231 spectators,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/aroundthegrounds?articleid=2984467 |title=Doncaster Rovers – Keepmoat Stadium |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=27 June 2007 |access-date=9 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928075401/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/aroundthegrounds?articleid=2984467 |archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref> 5,000 more than [[Belle Vue (football)|Belle Vue]], with improved legroom and disabled access.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nads.org.uk/?page=89 |title=Doncaster Rovers |work=National Association of Disabled Supporters |access-date=28 August 2007 |archive-date=4 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070904062405/http://www.nads.org.uk/?page=89 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Amongst the facilities in the new stadium is a new fans' bar, created to ensure fans have a place where they can enjoy pre-match drinks.

The pitch itself incorporates a system of synthetic fibres interwoven with natural grass.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.architectureweek.org.uk/feature.asp?FeatureID=49 |title=Feature: Media Information Architecture Week Yorkshire |work=Architecture Week |access-date=28 August 2007 |archive-date=28 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928043214/http://www.architectureweek.org.uk/feature.asp?FeatureID=49 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This helps to maintain the pitch's integrity and prevents the playing surface from deteriorating throughout the course of the season. The pitch however does not have an under-soil heating system in-place, despite being a modern construction.<ref name=leedsabandon08>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/leedsunited/United-39left-in-the-dark39.3785953.jp |title=United 'left in the dark' by Rovers |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=16 February 2008 |access-date=17 February 2008 |archive-date=26 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081226140025/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/leedsunited/United-39left-in-the-dark39.3785953.jp |url-status=dead }}</ref> This has resulted in the postponement of a match within the first year of full operation.<ref name=leedsabandon08/>

====Adjoining sports complex facilities and stadia====
A mini-stadium is situated beside the main stadium, featuring a six-lane running track and a 500-seat stand. The mini stadium is used by [[Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC|Doncaster Rovers Belles]], Doncaster Rovers Reserves, Doncaster Athletics Club, Doncaster RLFC's academy team, and the [[Doncaster Mustangs (American football)|Doncaster Mustangs]] [[American football]] team.

==Sports==
===Football===

The first game played by Doncaster Rovers in the new stadium was on 1 January 2007 against [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield Town]], whom they beat 3–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/southyorkshire/content/image_galleries/doncaster_rovers_keepmoat_john_ennis_gallery.shtml?3 |title=First day at Keepmoat |work=BBC South Yorkshire |access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref> The game also saw the first three red cards in the new stadium.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.htafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10312~32925,00.html |title=Doncaster vs Huddersfield |work=Huddersfield Town Official Website |date=1 January 2007 |access-date=28 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214215342/http://www.htafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10312~32925%2C00.html |archive-date=14 February 2008}}</ref> Doncaster Rovers' [[centre forward]] [[Mark McCammon]] was the first player ever to score on the new pitch.

Doncaster's first loss at the stadium came five days later at the hands of [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] when they defeated the Rovers 4–0 in the 3rd Round of the [[FA Cup 2006–07#Third round proper|FA Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10329~36472,00.html |title=Doncaster Rovers Match Report – Doncaster Rovers 0 – Bolton Wanderers 4 |work=Doncaster Rovers Official Website |date=6 January 2007 |access-date=10 July 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615110348/http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10329~36472%2C00.html |archive-date=15 June 2011}}</ref>

On 14 January 2007, [[Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C.|Doncaster Rovers Belles]]' first match in the main stadium resulted in a 5–2 defeat to [[Leeds United L.F.C.|Leeds United]], before a crowd of 1,797.<ref name=newhome>{{cite news|last=Leighton |first=Tony|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/jan/15/womensfootball.sport|title=Belles ring changes at new home|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=15 November 2010|date=15 January 2007}}</ref> [[Vicky Exley]] was the first Belle to score on the new pitch.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leighton |first=Tony |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/women/6261375.stm |title=Leeds deny Donny on stadium debut |work=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2007 |access-date=2 August 2011}}</ref> 
The official opening of the Keepmoat Stadium was on 3 August 2007, with Doncaster Rovers playing a [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] XI in front of a crowd of 13,080. United won the game 2–0.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/rovers?articleid=3101104 |title=A taste of things to come |work=Doncaster Today |date=9 August 2007 |access-date=28 August 2007}}</ref>

On 19 June 2012, it was confirmed that Doncaster Rovers had secured a 99-year operating lease from Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council to lead the management of the stadium with a view to improving operating results across the stadium sports partnership.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster/rovers-welcome-keepmoat-lease-1-4659467 |title=Rovers welcome Keepmoat lease |work=Yorkshire Post |date=19 June 2012 |access-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>

The stadium hosted the final of the [[2012–13 FA Women's Cup]].<ref name=bbc2013>{{cite news |date=26 May 2013 |title=FA Women's Cup final: Arsenal Ladies beat Bristol Academy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22635611 |newspaper=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |access-date=19 May 2014}}</ref>

The highest ever attendance at the Keepmoat stadium was 15,001 for the visit of [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10329~38664,00.html  |title=Doncaster Vs Leeds United |work=Doncaster Rovers Official Website |date=1 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615103318/http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0%2C%2C10329~38664%2C00.html |archive-date=15 June 2011}}</ref> Rovers also achieved attendances of over 14,800 at the Keepmoat Stadium in games against [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]] and [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]].

On 3 March 2010, it hosted [[England national under-21 football team|England’s under-21s]] [[2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification Group 9]] match against [[Greece national under-21 football team|Greece’s under-21s]]. The hosts lost 2–1 with the visitors goals coming from [[Kyriakos Papadopoulos]] on the 28th minute and [[Giannis Papadopoulos (footballer, born 1989)|Yiannis Papadopoulos]] on the 49th minute while [[Nathan Delfouneso]] scored for the hosts on the 80th minute.

Since the [[English Football League|EFL]] require all matches to be played on grass pitches, the stadium was used for all of [[Harrogate Town A.F.C.|Harrogate Town]]'s matches for the first month of their [[2020–21 Harrogate Town A.F.C. season|2020–21 season]] whilst the club replaced their synthetic pitch at [[Wetherby Road]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 August 2020 |title=Harrogate Town: Doncaster Rovers groundshare for EFL newcomers |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53637169 |access-date=21 August 2020 |website=[[BBC Sport]] |language=en-gb}}</ref>

On 30 November 2021, [[England women's national football team|England's women's team]] hosted [[Latvia women's national football team|Latvia's women's team]] at the stadium, beating them by a [[England 20–0 Latvia|record margin of 20-0]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 November 2021 |title=England 20-0 Latvia: Ellen White sets all-time scoring record with hat-trick |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59452221 |access-date=1 December 2021 |website=[[BBC Sport]] |language=en-gb}}</ref>

===Rugby League===
The opening game played by [[Doncaster R.L.F.C.|Doncaster]] in the new stadium was against [[Sheffield Eagles]], to whom they lost 16–10 in front of 5,400 spectators. Sheffield Eagles' (and former Dons') [[Richard Newlove]] was the first player to score try at the new stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/doncaster-star-sport?articleid=1947571 |title=Eagles spoil Dons' opener at Keepmoat |work=Doncaster Today |date=28 December 2006 |access-date=28 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929081130/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/doncaster-star-sport?articleid=1947571 |archive-date=29 September 2007}}</ref>

On Sunday 27 July 2008, the stadium hosted a semi-final of the [[Challenge Cup|Rugby League Challenge Cup]] between [[Hull F.C.]] and [[Wakefield Trinity]]. Hull beat Trinity 32–24 in front of a crowd of 14,716.

The stadium hosted the opening match of the [[2009 Rugby League Four Nations|2009 Gillette 4 Nations]] on Friday 23 October between co-hosts [[England national rugby league team|England]] and [[France national rugby league team|France]] attracting a crowd of 11,529.

The stadium hosted the semi-final of the [[Challenge Cup|Rugby League Challenge Cup]] between [[Castleford Tigers|Castleford]] and [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] on Sunday 7 August 2011, Leeds winning 10-8 in front of 13,158 fans; another Challenge Cup Semi-Final between [[Hull F.C.]] and [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] took place at the stadium on 29 July 2016, Hull running out 16-12 winners. Wigan would return to the stadium for the first semi-final of the [[2024 Challenge Cup]] against [[Hull Kingston Rovers]], taking place on 18 May 2024.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/68826650 |title=Challenge Cup semi-finals: Doncaster and St Helens to host semi-final ties |work=BBC Sport |date=16 April 2024 |access-date=18 May 2024}}</ref> 

The Dons local rivals, Sheffield Eagles, used the stadium as their temporary home during the 2015 rugby league season.

In 2021, the stadium played host to three group games of the [[2021 Rugby League World Cup]].

====Rugby league test matches====

{| class="wikitable"

|- bgcolor=#bdb76b

! Date !! Winners !! Result !! Runners-up !! Attendance !! Part of

|-

|{{Date table sorting|2009-10-23|format=dmy}} || {{rl|ENG}} || 34-12 || {{rl|FRA}} || 11,529 || [[2009 Rugby League Four Nations]]

|-

|{{Date table sorting|2022-10-17|format=dmy}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rlwc2021.com/report/9 |title=France 34v12 Greece |website=RLWC2021 |access-date=29 December 2022}}</ref> || {{rl|FRA}} || 34-12 || {{rl|Greece}} || || rowspan=3|[[2021 Men's Rugby League World Cup]]

|-

|{{Date table sorting|2022-10-23|format=dmy}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rlwc2021.com/report/18 |title=Samoa 72v4 Greece |website=RLWC2021 |access-date=29 December 2022}}</ref> || {{rl|SAM}} || 72-4 || {{rl|Greece}} || 

|-

|{{Date table sorting|2022-10-31|format=dmy}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rlwc2021.com/report/18 |title=Papua New Guinea 36v0 Wales |website=RLWC2021 |access-date=29 December 2022}}</ref> || {{rl|PNG}} || 36-0 || {{rl|WAL}} ||  

|}

==Music==
There have also been a variety of concerts held in the stadium, including two in July 2007 featuring [[Ronan Keating]], [[Bryan Adams]] and [[McFly]]. In July 2008 there was also a show by [[Sir Elton John]] and his band. On 30 July 2011, Irish vocal pop band [[Westlife]] held a concert for [[Gravity Tour]] supporting their album [[Gravity (Westlife album)|Gravity]]. In 2017, Doncaster born singer [[Louis Tomlinson]] filmed part of the music video for his hit single, [[Back to You (Louis Tomlinson song)|Back to You]], featuring [[Bebe Rexha]], in the stadium. [[The Killers]] were set to play the stadium in May 2020, but the date was postponed to May 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

==Other events==
In September 2008, the stadium was used to host the BAFL (British American Football League) finals known as "Britbowl".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bafl.org.uk/artman2/publish/BritBowl_46/index.asp |title=Thunder are Champions! |access-date=21 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101201341/http://www.bafl.org.uk/artman2/publish/BritBowl_46/index.asp |archive-date=1 November 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In mid June 2009 opened its facilities to accommodate corporate events and private functions, the first of which being the marriage reception of Wesley and Claire Vaughan, June 2009.
In November 2010, darts superstar [[Dennis Priestley]] held a darts exhibition at the stadium.
On 11 May 2013, an [[IBF]] Bantamweight World Title boxing match between [[Jamie McDonnell (boxer)|Jamie McDonnell]] and [[Julio Ceja (boxer)|Julio Ceja]] took place at the stadium, with McDonnell the winner.
On 27 July 2013, an MMA event hosted by UCFC has held at the stadium, the main event was between [[Ian Freeman]] and [[Ricco Rodriguez]].
On 28 April 2016 it was announced that [[Rugby Union]] team [[Doncaster Knights]] would use the Keepmoat for a maximum of six games the following season if they were to win promotion to [[Premiership Rugby]]. This would allow work to be undertaken on their home ground of [[Castle Park rugby stadium|Castle Park]] in order to bring it up to at least the minimum seating capacity of 10,000 required by the [[Rugby Football Union|RFU]] and the Professional Game Board (PGB) for a premiership venue.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Hoden|first1=Liam|title=Doncaster Knights to ground share with Rovers if they win promotion to the Premiership|url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/doncaster-knights/doncaster-knights-to-ground-share-with-rovers-if-they-win-promotion-to-the-premiership-1-7882655|website=The Star|publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd.|access-date=28 April 2016}}</ref> However, the Doncaster Knights did not achieve promotion that season.

==Naming rights==
When construction began on the stadium, a planning permission application was made under the name “Doncaster Community Stadium” with many people speculating that this would be the official name. 

However, prior to the stadium’s opening, [[Keepmoat|Keepmoat Homes]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/doncaster/6170858.stm |title=Doncaster announce stadium name |work=[[BBC]] South Yorkshire|date=21 November 2006|access-date=17 April 2007}}</ref>  was unveiled as the stadium’s first sponsor. Keepmoat Homes would go on to sponsor the stadium for the first 15 years spanning between November 2006 and December 2021.

On 14 December 2021, Doncaster based construction company Eco-Power was announced as the new naming rights holder, taking effect from 27 December 2021, initially until the end of 2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestadiumbusiness.com/2021/12/14/doncaster-rovers-announces-new-stadium-naming-rights-partner/ |title=Doncaster Rovers announces new stadium naming rights partner |last=Lewis |first=Genevieve |date=2021-12-14 |website=The Stadium Business |access-date=2021-12-14}}</ref>

==Awards==
At the Stadium Business Awards 2010, the stadium received the award for Best Matchday Experience.

==See also==
* [[Belle Vue (football)|Belle Vue]], Doncaster Rovers' former home.
* [[XP School]]
* [[Lists of stadiums]]
* [[List of football stadiums in England]]

==References==
{{Reflist|40em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Keepmoat Stadium}}
* [http://www.keepmoatstadium.com Official website]

{{Doncaster Rovers F.C.}}
{{Harrogate Town A.F.C.}}
{{EFL League One venues}}
{{RFL Championship venues}}
{{2021 RLWC Venues}}
{{Portal bar|Yorkshire|English football|Sports|Women's association football}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Football venues in England]]
[[Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C.]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Doncaster]]
[[Category:Rugby league stadiums in England]]
[[Category:Multi-purpose stadiums in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Football venues in South Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 2006]]
[[Category:English Football League venues]]
[[Category:2006 establishments in England]]
[[Category:American football venues in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C.]]
[[Category:Doncaster R.L.F.C.]]