
English Championship football club Preston North End has appointed Sodexo Live! division of catering and facilities management provider Sodexo as its new official venue partner from July 2023.
Sodexo Live! will take over the catering and facilities management operation at Deepdale, replacing their previous partner Heathcote&Co, which has been Preston’s catering partner since 2018.
This deal also includes Sodexo Live! offering hospitality deals for fans in the lounges and boxes, and on the concourse on matchdays providing them with a chance at a first-class experience. Created in 1966, they are now the global leader in sustainable food and valued experiences.
Sodexo Live! has extensive experience working in the football industry in particular, as the company is currently partnered with Premier League clubs Fulham FC, Everton FC, and Newcastle United making this a suitable move.
This deal links with Preston’s club values that are community-based and are adamant on enhancing the matchday experience for the club’s supporters.
On the club’s website they say, “We situate ourselves at the heart of the Preston community, providing a high-quality service to improve people’s lives and give fans a voice that will be heard.”
Ahead of the beginning of the 2023-24 season, Preston will organise a meeting with supporters’ representatives to discuss Sodexo Live!’s matchday provisions.
Preston North End director, Peter Ridsdale, said in a club statement: “We are delighted to have agreed a long-term partnership with Sodexo Live! who arrive with a fantastic reputation of providing a high-quality service.
Rebecca Kane Burton, CEO of Sodexo Live! UK and Ireland, shared an excitement for the partnership and how it improves Preston North End’s matchday experience.
“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Preston North End and are delighted to be working with another excellent venue in North West England. We can’t wait to bring our knowledge in hospitality, retail, guest experience, and venue management to Deepdale,” she said in a statement.
“Enhancing the guest experience and creating an enjoyable and memorable match day experience for everyone is in our DNA. We can’t wait to get started.”
This move overall is largely positive for Preston North End, with Sodexo Live! providing Premier League and live entertainment experience to the Championship club as they try to attract a larger percentage of attendance at Deepdale in order to grow into a bigger club.