Creating memorable experiences at Hampden Park
Delivering on the big stage is key to the success of any event in the sports and entertainment industry. And at Hampden Park – Scotland’s national stadium – the Sodexo Live! team did just that during summer 2022.
Sodexo Live! is the venue partner for Hampden Park - covering catering, retail, hospitality, conferences, events, marketing and sales - and extended its partnership with the Scottish Football Association by a further ten years in 2021.
The venue played host to eight high–profile music concerts during summer 2022 – featuring the likes of Coldplay, Calvin Harris, Ed Sheeran, Liam Gallagher and Gerry Cinnamon – and the Sodexo Live! team at the venue served-up exceptional moments and lasting memories for over 350,000 concert-goers.
A 600-plus-strong team – many of whom were recruited locally - put in a combined shift of over 4,500 hours, turning the venue around from hosting football fixtures to big concerts in just seven days – the first time this has been achieved in the venue’s history.
For each concert, there was a ‘Hampden Hospitality’ package for everyone – from culinary dining experiences in one of the exclusive Superboxes to the Hampden Suite party package.
The talented Sodexo Live! culinary teams worked with local and specialist suppliers in Scotland to create delicious, eclectic, and relaxed food offerings which included luxury finger food, sweet carts, and street food pop-ups which guests loved. Each buffet featured 8-10 different options with a strong focus on using Scottish produce with a twist. For example, oysters were sourced from local seafood and meat company Loch Fyne Oysters. Beverages included everything from coffee to cocktails, including an Ed Sheeran inspired whisky cocktail.
Even in the retail food areas, concerts-goers were met by brand-new self-service pint pouring facilities,
provided by EBar, which filled up glasses in seconds. Utilising digital automation, contactless payment and the unique pouring technology, guests were treated to a seamless and novel new bar experience. This, combined with a comprehensive bar and food kiosk setup, allowed fans to enjoy a wide selection of refreshments, from sweet bags and popcorn to ice slushies.
As a revenue driver for the venue, the Sodexo Live! team smashed all the targets set thanks to a strong team effort, spanning everyone working in operations, culinary, sales and marketing.
Rebecca Kane Burton, CEO of Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland, said:
Coldplay nailed it at Hampden Park recently (naturally) but what really struck me was the Superbox experience that the Sodexo Live! team delivered. Having attended thousands of gigs in my lifetime, I can safely say I’ve never enjoyed a six-course tasting menu paired superbly with wine at every turn so close to the action on stage - hats off to the team. My focus is to continue to develop the fabulous relationship we have with the Scottish FA and help promote Hampden Park as a leading venue for sports and entertainment in the UK.
Chris Rawlings, Chief Commercial Officer for The Scottish FA, said:
I’d like to offer a huge thank you to the Sodexo Live! team for their effort and professionalism displayed over this summer’s concert period at Hampden Park. The events posed new challenges, with a variety of acts and visitors but the team rose to the occasion and provided a service of great quality. Their approach in striving to improve on each event ensured the best experience for those who attended each night.
Sodexo Live! is an expert in creating exceptional moments and lasting memories across stadia, arenas, airport lounges, conference centres, museums and more.