The role of hospitality and catering in elevating your event experience

Delicious food at the American Express Stadium

Hospitality and catering enhance events by adding comfort, exclusivity, and personalisation. From refined menus to smooth guest journeys, they turn experiences into lasting memories that boost satisfaction and loyalty.

In an increasingly competitive market, hospitality and catering help turn venues into premium destinations and boost long-term value

 

Enhancing guest satisfaction through tailored services

A successful event creates emotional connections, starting with how guests are welcomed and supported. 

Tailored hospitality options, including VIP tickets, exclusive lounges, curated menus inspired by local culture, and personalized travel and accommodation services enhance guest satisfaction. 

Hospitality ticketing, designed around the event and audience needs, fosters loyalty and repeat visits, driving positive word-of-mouth.

 

Adding value and prestige to your venue offer

Partnering with hospitality leaders transforms your venue into a premium destination. Curated food and beverage, efficient service, and immersive experiences enhance operational excellence and brand value, attracting a loyal, affluent audience and boosting the venue's reputation and desirability for premium events.

The key to an unforgettable guest journey lies in flawless operations, exceptional food and beverage, and a distinct sense of occasion— all achieved through excellent hospitality management.

 

Seamless service from entry to post-event moments

A smooth guest journey starts before and extends after the event. Expert hospitality management covers everything from transport and off-site activities to curated food and beverage. 

With intuitive signage, attentive staff, and seamless check-ins, this support enhances comfort, satisfaction, and operational efficiency at every touchpoint.

 

Premium food and beverage: a key component of event success

Food and beverage quality shapes the guest experience. Audiences now expect fresh, seasonal and sustainable cuisine, crafted by expert chefs and tailored to the event atmosphere.

For example, at Royal Ascot, Sodexo Live! offers refined multi-course menus crafted with renowned chefs, delivering culinary excellence that matches the event’s prestige — a key element of successful hospitality management.

 

Creating memorable atmospheres through hospitality and catering

The setting greatly impacts guests' experience, whether it's a private box, marquee, or rooftop space. Thoughtful details like lighting, table presentation, and attentive service create a unique  and engaging atmosphere. Each dish’s presentation becomes part of the spectacle, turning moments into memorable experiences tied to quality and prestige.

In sports and leisure, hospitality is now part of the show. Fans seek more than the game—they want the full experience. With tailored sports hospitality packages, venues turn match days into premium, immersive moments.

 

Designing sports hospitality packages that go beyond the game

Today’s sports hospitality packages go beyond premium seats. From gourmet dining and post-game drinks with legends to curated local experiences and behind-the-scenes access, they create complete, memorable journeys.

At the heart of these offerings is exceptional food, ensuring that each meal becomes a memorable part of the day. Tailored for both corporate clients and loyal fans, these packages could strengthen their connection to the team or event.

 

Turning your venue into an all-day destination

By extending the experience before and after the main event, venues can reposition themselves as hubs for entertainment, dining and networking. With well-planned hospitality and catering offers available throughout the day — from pre-event brunches to post-game dinners and late-night cocktails — stadiums and arenas can keep guests engaged for longer.

This approach not only enhances the visitor experience but also helps increase revenue by maximising time spent onsite.

 

How catering can support fan engagement and satisfaction

Catering allows fans to connect with the venue through flexible, locally inspired food and beverage options. Beyond just a meal, it’s an opportunity to discover new flavors. With themed menus and fast, contactless service, catering creates a memorable experience that makes fans feel valued.

  • Delicious food being served at AMEX
  • Amazing plate at Hampden Park
  • Delicious desert at the City Ground
  • Delicious food being served at AMEX
  • Amazing plate at Hampden Park
  • Delicious desert at the City Ground
  • Delicious food being served at AMEX
  • Amazing plate at Hampden Park
  • Delicious desert at the City Ground

For organisers and venue managers, integrating expert hospitality management is a strategic decision that impacts everything from brand reputation to bottom line.

 

New revenue opportunities through elevated guest experiences

Enhanced hospitality and catering packages give venues ways to earn more — from VIP dining to exclusive upgrades. These experiences encourage higher guest spend and help increase revenue, even with the same number of attendees.

 

Strengthening venue appeal in the hospitality and catering industry

In a crowded market, partnering with a hospitality and catering leader helps venues stand out — not just for the event itself, but for the full guest experience, from pre-event dining to post-show drinks.

At Brighton & Hove Albion FC, Sodexo Live! helped create a new fan zone with dynamic food and hospitality spaces, turning matchdays into full-day experiences. This kind of offering positions a venue as a premium destination, attracting more bookings and higher-value audiences.


Streamlining operations through expert hospitality management

Expert hospitality management brings structure and efficiency to complex events — far beyond food service alone. 

At Hampden Park, Sodexo Live! oversees every aspect of the hospitality offering: from culinary design and operational staffing to the creation, pricing, promotion, and sale of tailored packages. With one expert partner managing the full experience, venues benefit from smoother operations, reduced risk, and consistently high-quality guest experiences.

For decades, Sodexo Live! has been behind some of the world’s most memorable hospitality and catering moments — bringing precision, creativity, and scale to every client.

 

Deep expertise in major sporting events

Sodexo Live! has built a strong global presence by delivering exceptional hospitality at some of the world’s most prestigious events, from the sophistication of Royal Ascot to the international appeal of Roland-Garros and the scale of the Rugby World Cups.

Through STH, our dedicated hospitality and ticketing company, we tailor services to diverse formats, audiences, and operational challenges — ensuring seamless experiences across events.

During the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Lenôtre — the prestigious gastronomic brand of Sodexo Live! — was entrusted with the hospitality catering, reflecting the group’s ability to deliver world-class service on the global stage. 

 

End-to-end hospitality management and catering solutions

From concept to execution, our hospitality management covers every detail with the culinary expertise of Sodexo Live! at its core — from bespoke menus crafted by award-winning chefs to the careful sourcing of seasonal, sustainable ingredients.

Through STH, the dedicated brand of Sodexo Live! for hospitality and ticketing, we deliver seamless, tailored experiences that elevate every event.

At the Henley Royal Regatta, we provide a variety of exclusive hospitality packages, each designed to meet the diverse tastes of guests. Our culinary team ensures exceptional dining throughout the event, while our expert hospitality management guarantees smooth operations and an unforgettable guest experience, all aligned with our client brand, audience, and budget.

 

Trusted by leading venues across the UK and worldwide

Venues including:

  • Newcastle United’s St. James’ Park, 
  • Ascot Racecourse,
  • Brighton & Hove Albion’s Amex Stadium, 
  • Hampden Park…

Count on Sodexo Live! for their most high-profile events. Our work at Hampden Park spans both sports and concerts, combining operational excellence with marketing and sales expertise

It’s this end-to-end capability that sets us apart in the hospitality and catering industry — in the UK and globally. Sodexo Live! brings proven expertise in delivering premium hospitality and catering at international events.

In the world of live events, it's the moments around the action that guests remember most. From increasing fan loyalty to driving business results, hospitality and catering have become pivotal to success. With tailored sports hospitality packages, premium food and beverage, and expert hospitality management, venues and organisers can elevate their offering — and their returns. Sodexo Live! stands ready to be your partner in creating events that truly resonate, captivate, and perform. 

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