Vanderbilt, OVG Partner on Fan Experience Across Commodore Athletic Venues

Vanderbilt University Athletics and Oak View Group, the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, are partnering to redefine the fan experience, student-athlete support and venue strategy across the Commodore’s athletics facilities.

OVG is the parent company of Pollstar.

As Vanderbilt Athletics’ exclusive hospitality partner, OVG’s services at Vanderbilt include concessions, premium suite and club catering, and team performance dining for student-athletes at football’s FirstBank Stadium, basketball’s Memorial Gymnasium, baseball’s Hawkins Field and additional Vanderbilt Athletics facilities.

“Partnering with Oak View Group allows us to deliver an elevated hospitality experience for our fans that matches the energy and ambition of Vanderbilt Athletics,” said Deputy Athletic Director Derek Grice. “This collaboration positions us for an exciting future on and off the playing surface that will redefine the game-day experience for both our fans and student-athletes.”

In 2025, OVG introduced new hospitality services at FirstBank Stadium, including new grab-and-go markets, improving service flow, reducing wait times, and elevating the fan experience across premium and general-admission spaces. OVG also expanded its role to support Vanderbilt student-athletes through ongoing investment in the training table program.

Hospitality upgrades introduced Nashville favorites like hot chicken tenders, birria tacos with consommé, grilled burgers on potato rolls and hand-battered tenders with kettle chips. Fully loaded nachos with queso and slow-cooked beef became a fan favorite, alongside local partners 5 Points Pizza and Daddy’s Dogs. Premium spaces, including the Commodore Club and Anchor Down Club within FirstBank Stadium, featured rotating menus of game-day favorites, Southern comfort classics, artisan pizzas, and curated cocktails inspired by Nashville’s culinary scene.

“Vanderbilt represents excellence across academics, athletics, and campus life, and our partnership shows what’s possible when hospitality is approached with intention,” said Ken Gaber, President of OVG Hospitality. “With a strong operational foundation in place, we’re excited to keep building thoughtful enhancements to the Vanderbilt men’s and women’s basketball seasons and continuing to raise the standard for every guest who walks through these venues.”

With winter sports underway, the partnership will continue refining hospitality offerings while exploring additional opportunities to further advance Vanderbilt Athletics’ long-term venue strategy.

This partnership builds on OVG’s growing portfolio of collegiate athletics collaborations, supporting some of the nation’s most respected universities and campus venues, including the University of Connecticut, Penn State University, University of Kansas, University of Arizona, Texas Tech University, Villanova University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Colorado State University, University of Illinois, University of Texas, Missouri State University and Virginia Tech, among others.