Sodexo has won a five-year contract with the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park in Northern Ireland. The £6m (US$7.4m) deal sees Sodexo provide food and beverage retail and hospitality services for all matchday and non-matchday events at the Belfast venue, as well as selling conference and event facilities through Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events.
Following redevelopment last year, the National Football Stadium has been expanded to more than 18,000 seats and now has four main function suites overlooking the pitch, 10 executive boxes, a museum for events and unique event spaces in the changing rooms, press room and players’ lounge, all of which will be operated by Sodexo.
The home of the Northern Ireland soccer team, the stadium is hosting the team’s 2018 World Cup qualification fixtures.
Earlier this year, Sodexo extended its partnership with the Scottish national stadium, Hampden Park, to 2020.
Chris Bray, CEO sports & leisure, Sodexo UK & Ireland, said, “We are delighted to announce this partnership with the Irish Football Association at Windsor Park. The new stadium development gives us an opportunity to deliver a fantastic experience for match goers, and host a wide range of conferences and events on non-matchdays.
“At our other stadia we have strong relationships with the local community, and the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park is no exception. We are already working with three Belfast suppliers: Keenan Seafood, Arnotts Fruit and the French Village Bakery. We look forward to bringing fresh, innovative, responsibly-sourced local produce to stadium visitors.”
Louise Doyle, the stadium’s director, added, “We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Sodexo Sports & Leisure to provide excellent standards of service and catering to the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
“Sodexo will allow the venue not only to offer a high standard of food, refreshments and a variety options in our public concourses but also the superb and innovative hospitality in our outstanding and unique corporate areas, all with a view of the iconic pitch.
“Sodexo are world leaders in their field, offering innovative ideas and offerings to Belfast both in terms of catering at the football matches held within the stadium but also promoting our new conference and hospitality business. There are exciting times ahead with this partnership and we look forward to a successful relationship over the next few years.”
December 1, 2016
