OVG & Southampton FC Partner On F&B At St Mary’s Stadium In The UK

Oak View Group (OVG, Pollstar’s parent company) has announced a partnership with English soccer club Southampton FC to deliver “a world-class food and drink offering at St Mary’s Stadium from the start of the 2025/26 season,” according to today’s press announcement.

Under the new agreement, OVG will take on all food and beverage operations at St Mary’s, the biggest stadium on the English south coast, “working closely with the club to elevate the matchday experience and unlock long-term commercial growth,” the press release states, and continues, “OVG will introduce a wide range of grab-and-go options at concourse stalls throughout the stadium, as well as premium offerings in suites and bars, to deliver an outstanding game-day experience for all fans.”

This announcement marks the next step in the expansion of OVG’s hospitality offering to UK and European sports and entertainment venues, which also includes Co-op Live in Manchester, and a joint venture with City Football Group to deliver catering at Etihad Stadium.

OVG is also working with another tradition-rich UK soccer club, Aston Villa, to deliver a new live entertainment venue adjacent to Villa Park, the club’s home grounds.

Villa Park itself, meanwhile, is working with Legends on the modernization of the stadium.

Other British stadiums OVG is involved with include Wembley Stadium, Anfield Stadium and Murrayfield Stadium.

OVG’s hospitality delivery in the UK is emulating OVG’s model in the U.S., where it provides a high-quality food and drink offering at notable U.S. sports venues, such as Chaifetz Arena, Citizens Bank Park, and Cotton Bowl Stadium.

Comments:

Mark Donnelly, executive vice president venue and operations at Oak View Group: “We’re delighted to be partnering with such a historic and respected club as Southampton FC. St Mary’s is an iconic venue, and we’re excited to bring OVG’s signature hospitality experience to its fans. From premium offerings to everyday matchday favourites, our goal is to deliver exceptional food and drink, week in, week out. This partnership represents another important step in the growth of our UK footprint and deepens our commitment to elevating the hospitality experience across football clubs nationwide.”

Greg Baker, Chief Revenue Officer at Southampton Football Club, said: “We’re delighted to be entering this new partnership with OVG, which represents a significant step forward in enhancing the food and beverage experience for our fans. This collaboration will elevate the quality of service, broaden the variety of food offerings, and improve overall efficiency, all key components of a seamless and enjoyable matchday experience.”

Michalis Fragkiadakis, Senior Vice President of Hospitality Strategy at Oak View Group, said: “We’re proud to be partnering with Southampton FC and excited to bring our innovative approach to hospitality, raising the bar for food and drink at one of the country’s leading football clubs. We are fans first and believe food and drink are central to the fan experience, and we’re committed to doing this at every level at St Mary’s.”

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