BRUCE STADIUM RENAMED

Canberra`s Bruce Stadium, home of the Raiders and Brumbies, has been renamed Canberra Stadium.

ACT Sports Minister Ted Quinlan said the name change was designed to promote the national capital and leave no doubt as to where matches hosted in Canberra were being played.

The name change comes ahead of Saturday night`s rugby union clash between reigning Super 12 champions the Brumbies and the Queensland Reds.

The Canberra Raiders play their first National Rugby League home game of the season at the stadium on Friday, March 22 against South Sydney.

"Today the name of this stadium will finally reflect the city in which it proudly stands and the many local teams who have and will continue to grace its playing surface with such distinction," Mr Quinlan said.

The 30,000 seat stadium, which was built in 1977 and has since undergone a host of improvements, is situated in the northern ACT suburb of Bruce, giving it its original name.