Creating lasting memories for 2.6million event-goers

The summer of 2023 was jam-packed with major events in the sports and entertainment industry, and Sodexo Live! was at the heart of it. Between May and September, Sodexo Live! created unforgettable moments for over 2.6million guests across its venue partners.

Who can forget when Eurovision went to Liverpool in May? Sodexo Live! worked with venue partner ACC Liverpool to create food moments to make a song and dance about, serving over 60,000 guests at the M&S Bank Arena across nine live shows throughout the week. 

 

 

In June, attention turned to Royal Ascot. The 2023 event marked 25 years of Sodexo Live! catering for Royal Ascot - a silver jubilee – and Sodexo Live! will continue to cater for the event for at least another ten years. Over 300,000 guests throughout Royal Ascot week enjoyed Sodexo Live!’s retail catering and hospitality offers. 

Straight off the back of Royal Ascot, Sodexo Live! switched its focus from the racecourse to the River Thames for Henley Royal Regatta 2023. This was the tenth consecutive time Sodexo has catered for the world-renowned rowing event, and Sodexo Live! served over 2,500 guests, with many dining in the Fawley Meadows Lounge, Fawley Meadows Restaurant, Picnic Enclosure, Riverside Chalets and Temple Island.

One of the biggest questions to come out of the summer season of sport was whether England could have won The Ashes 2023 series against Australia, had it not been for rain. For the Third Test at Headingley Stadium, Sodexo Live! created exceptional moments for 9,000 hospitality guests and 80,000 in general admission as cricket fans took in the action. 

During the summer month, football stadiums tend to be relatively quieter – but not for Sodexo Live!. At St James’ Park – the home of Newcastle United which hosts Champions League football for the 2023/24 season – Sodexo Live! served 50,000 concert goers for Geordie singer-songwriter and chart-topper Sam Fender. Over 150 miles North of Newcastle, Sodexo Live!’s team at Hampden Park also hosted the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

In the North West, Sodexo Live! introduced classic British dishes with a modern twist at venue partners Blackburn Rovers FC, Preston North End and the DW Stadium Wigan, while at Brighton and Hove Albion Sodexo Live! launched its Tunnel Club, allowing fans to experience matchday activity up close. September also saw the highly anticipated friendly with the 150th anniversary match of England vs Scotland at Hampden Park, with Sodexo Live!’s team of experience makers providing hospitality and catering for the sell-out 50,000 crowd. 

To deliver all of these events Sodexo Live! employed an additional 1,500 staff this year with roles ranging from chefs to bar managers, cleaners and front of house staff, kitchen porters and supervisors. It also launched its new People Ambition, committing to providing employees with a high level of support, purpose and inclusion, as well as allowing each and every one to thrive in their career.