Around 400 guests attended to represent their teams in conference and events, matchday hospitality, chef teams, public catering, operational departments and senior management.
The event recognises the efforts and dedication shown by the catering, conference and events teams at every football, rugby and cricket stadium across the UK. Over 75 clubs were nominated for awards, with 20 different venues scooping at least one of 43 gongs.
Newcastle United Football Club scooped four of the top awards (plus other awards), including the top gong for Overall Matchday Hospitality Experience 2023, fighting off tough competition from 27 participating venues across the leagues.
The Chef Team of the Year Award was judged by Salon Culinaire chefs as part of the live kitchen event at the HRC Event at ExCeL in London. Chefs teams had one hour to prepare, cook and present a three-course menu suitable for their Club Chairman to entertain the Head of the FA or RFU to dinner. Results:
- Winner– London Stadium
- Silver– Manchester City Football Club
- Bronze – Chelsea Football Club
- Non-Match Day Sales Team of the Year Award: Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
- Non-Matchday Mystery Shopper Award: Newcastle United Football Club
- Match Day Sales Team of the Year Award: Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
- Outstanding Contribution Award: Lucy Garry at Millwall Football Club
- Best Stadium Events Venue Award: Newcastle United Football Club
- Operations Team of the Year Award: Liverpool Football Club
- Best Retail Catering Award: Hull City Football Club
- Visiting Rugby Directors Award: Bristol Bears Rugby Club
- Visiting Football Directors Award: Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
- Matchday Hospitality Award – Small Stadium (up to 1,000 hospitality seats): Morecambe Football Club
- Matchday Hospitality Award – Medium Stadium (1,001 – 2,000 hospitality seats): Leeds Rhinos Rugby Club
- Matchday Hospitality Award – Large Stadium (2,001+ hospitality seats): Newcastle United Football Club
- Overall Matchday Hospitality Award: Newcastle United Football Club
Stadium Experience chairperson Collette Salmon, commented: “Every year we go all out to showcase that stadia across the UK are at the top of their game when it comes to both hospitality and events. After an extremely challenging period, this has never been more important.
“Our member venues are always looking for new and innovative ways to deliver above and beyond customer expectations – Whether on a match day or on a non-match day. Our consortium works hard behind the scenes so the customers have a fantastic experience. This year’s awards evening was a fantastic celebration of all of this hard work. Huge congratulations to all of this year’s worthy winners.”