Henley Royal Regatta 2026: Sodexo Live! puts sustainable, locally inspired hospitality centre stage
Sodexo Live! will return to Henley Royal Regatta 2026 (30th June - 5th July), bringing a renewed focus to its hospitality experience with a greater emphasis on sustainability, seasonality and locally sourced produce.
Building on its role as official hospitality partner, Sodexo Live! is evolving its offer this year to place an even greater consideration on provenance and environmental impact - while maintaining the quality and character expected at one of the highlights of the British summer season.
A key part of that shift is a move towards even more locally sourced ingredients across the event’s hospitality programme. Menus have been designed to reflect the surrounding area, working with producers from across the Thames Valley to reduce food miles and support regional suppliers.
One example is the cheeseboard, which will feature selections from Nettlebed Creamery, based just five miles from the Regatta site in the Chiltern Hills. Produced using traditional methods, it’s a small detail that speaks to a wider change in how food is sourced and presented across the event.
Hospitality for the Regatta is delivered in partnership with Sodexo Live! with sustainability built into everything from supplier choices to packaging and waste reduction.
Henley Royal Regatta is one of the most iconic events in the British calendar, and there’s a real opportunity to evolve how it’s delivered.
For us, that means working closely with exceptional local producers like Nettlebed Creamery, while taking a practical, responsible approach to sourcing and operations.
It’s about creating something that feels true to Henley but also reflects how people want to experience events today.
Alongside changes to the food and drink offer, Sodexo Live! is continuing to reduce its wider environmental footprint. Initiatives for 2026 include cutting back on single use plastics, increasing the use of reusable and recyclable materials, and taking a more structured approach to managing surplus food.
The intention is not to reinvent Henley, but to refine it - keeping its traditions intact while making steady, meaningful improvements.
We are very conscious of the responsibility that comes with hosting the Regatta in such a unique setting.
The steps we’re taking are about protecting that for the long term - whether that’s through the suppliers we work with, the food we serve or how we operate behind the scenes.
It’s an important part of how the event continues to evolve.