Fulham announce new venue partnership with Sodexo Live

Sodexo Live! has won an eleven-year contract as venue partner for Fulham Football Club on its new Fulham Pier development, starting in July 2022.

Fulham Pier will become one of London’s leading leisure destinations on the banks of the Thames which will include restaurants, a Riverside Market, meetings and events spaces, bars and lounges, a basement entertainment venue, a boutique hotel and a spa experience. 

Sodexo Live! will work with the Fulham Football Club (FFC) leadership team over the coming period to support the physical delivery of the venue and will act as commercial lead to bring together the best of London’s restaurant and entertainment scene via a selection of premium branded retail partners.  The matchday capacity of the venue after the development will be 28,000.

The contract will see Sodexo Live! delivering hospitality, retail and non-event day sales and catering, as well as supporting the club as a strategic commercial partner as it transforms the iconic Craven Cottage. 

David Trotter, Divisional Managing Director of Sodexo Live! UK & Ireland said: “This is an incredible project that will put Fulham Pier at the heart of its community, as a leader in cutting edge hospitality and leisure. We are delighted to be the venue partner for Fulham FC and look forward to bringing the breadth of our knowledge in hospitality, retail, guest experience and venue management to this amazing project.”

Alistair Mackintosh, Chief Executive Officer of Fulham Football Club, said: “Fulham Pier is a game-changing development for the local community.  It will not only bring a wide range of high-quality amenities to the area; it will also attract visitors from far and wide.  We are glad to be working with Sodexo Live! on the project and we look forward to making Fulham Pier a remarkable destination.”

Manchester United announce new global partnership with Qualcomm

Manchester United today announced a multi-year global strategic collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

The arrangement will feature the Snapdragon brand. Snapdragon platforms power many of the world’s premium smartphones, PCs, gaming devices, connected cars, smart wearables and more.

Bringing together the world’s most popular football club with a global leader in technology innovation, the strategic collaboration will create unique events and experiences for Manchester United fans at Old Trafford and around the world, powered by the premium performance that Snapdragon® platforms deliver.

In addition, Qualcomm Technologies will advise Manchester United on planned improvements to mobile connectivity at Old Trafford, which will enhance fans’ experience on match days.

Victoria Timpson, CEO Alliances and Partnerships at Manchester United, said: “Snapdragon platforms will enable ground-breaking experiences for fans across the globe, deepening their engagement with the football club they love.”

“Manchester United has always pushed boundaries of what’s possible and we are excited to be partnering with a company at the forefront of innovation.”

Don McGuire, SVP of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and CMO of Qualcomm said: “We are proud to bring the power of Snapdragon together with one of the most iconic names in world sport.”

“We look forward to showcasing Snapdragon to Manchester United fans everywhere and joining the new era of technology innovation at Old Trafford.”

England and Wales’ bid to host 2026 Hockey World Cup includes finals at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

With the XXII Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the truly inspirational backdrop of England winning the UEFA Women’s Euros 2022 and the 10-year anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic Games, England Hockey combining with Hockey Wales are delighted to announce further information on how our own major events can excite and inspire our sport through our bid to host the FIH Hockey Men’s Hockey World Cup in 2026.

It is a hugely exciting bid aimed at transforming the sport and showcasing it at its very best on the world’s stage:

  • Finals weekend at the iconic 62,850-seater Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
  • Hockey returning to the Twickenham Stoop after successful Big Stadium Hockey games in 2019
  • A third of the event to take place outside London at Cardiff Arms Park and cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton
  • Taking the sport to non-hockey venues using the proven portable pitch technology of Big Stadium Hockey
  • Inclusivity, accessibility and sustainability at the heart of the event including a social impact programme which will benefit our host communities and the breadth of the hockey community alike
  • The biggest Hockey Men’s World Cup ever with more than 300,000 tickets available at affordable prices, starting from £5
  • Global sports marketing company CSM Sports & Entertainment leading the commercial delivery across sponsorship, ticketing and hospitality

England and Wales are in a competitive bid process to win the opportunity to host the 2026 FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) have received competing bids from Germany, South Africa and a joint bid from Belgium/Netherlands.

The hockey community and sports fans across the UK (and beyond) are being invited to show their support and excitement for the event and can Back The Bid at the  England Hockey website. Organisers hope that a strong show of support will give the FIH further confidence to award the event to England and Wales.

England Hockey Chief Executive Nick Pink and Hockey Wales Chief Executive Ria Burrage-Male said: “We are delighted to share more details of our joint proposal for the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026. Across all of the partners we are hugely excited about what the bid can do for hockey.

“All of us within the sport know how amazing hockey is, and by hosting a world cup on home soil, at Cardiff Arms Park, cinch Stadium Franklin’s Gardens, Twickenham Stoop and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, we would create the opportunity to take hockey to new fans and new cities. The event showcases the best the sport has to offer on the pitch, and also creates a platform to build a lasting social impact through the sport across the UK.

“With the Commonwealth Games currently taking place in Birmingham we’ve seen great support for international hockey with now more than a million tickets sold for hockey in the UK since London 2012. We’d like to encourage the hockey community to Back The Bid, your support is absolutely essential to our bid and how we can deliver the most impactful hockey event ever seen on these shores.”

The Secretary of State Nadine Dorries said: “I am delighted to support the England and Wales bid for the FIH Hockey Men’s World Cup 2026. Today marks an important step – the announcement of our unique four-stadia approach, spreading the benefit of this exciting tournament across England and Wales, utilising innovative technology in world class stadia in Cardiff, Northampton and London.

“Alongside UK Sport – the Government’s lead strategic agency for Major Events – the UK Government looks forward to working with England Hockey, Hockey Wales, all host partners and the FIH in the latter stages of the bid process to secure a hugely successful event for our nation.”

Andrew Owen, MD for Major Events at CSM Sport & Entertainment said: “Football fans, NFL fans and rugby fans may be accustomed to seeing their teams perform in stadia like those at Spurs or the Stoop. But for hockey fans this will be something truly special as they see their sport on the biggest stage of all – the atmosphere will be electric. Using proven technology we will transform the event experience for players, fans and the media. This represents a step-change for a sport that is something of a sleeping giant. Our stadium model allows hockey to take its place alongside some of the other big world cups in Cricket, Basketball and Rugby.”

This bid is supported by representatives from all corners of the sporting landscape; with a collective desire to use the event as a force for good, both for sport and also for wider social impact. The bid partners are England Hockey, Hockey Wales, UK Sport, CSM Sport & Entertainment, Greater London Authority, Welsh Assembly Government, West Northamptonshire Council, Cardiff Council, Cardiff Rugby, Harlequins F.C Northampton Saints and Tottenham Hotspur FC.

Wales’ Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden said: “I am pleased to throw the support of the Welsh Government behind this exciting bid. Wales has a proud record of hosting world-class international sporting events. We offer sports fans an experience to match the very best anywhere in the world, with world-class facilities and incredible tourism offerings.

“We will work in close partnership with our colleagues at Hockey Wales to ensure the bid has the best possible chance of being successful.”

Zach Wallace, captain of England men’s hockey team, and Rupert Shipperley, captain of Wales men’s hockey team said: “The prospect of playing in a men’s World Cup on home soil is incredible and all of us in our squads are hugely excited about what may lie ahead. The four stadia that are being proposed are truly inspirational, and on top of that the event can leave a lasting legacy for the entire sport, helping boys and girls from all backgrounds to see hockey for the amazing, welcoming game it is.”

The last men’s Hockey World Cup in England took place in London in 1986 but it has never been hosted in Wales. In 2018 London hosted the very successful Vitality Hockey Women’s World Cup, at the time the biggest stand-alone female sporting event the country had ever seen.  Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, the London 2012 hockey legacy venue, remains England Hockey’s home for FIH Pro League and other events.

The initial bid submission was made in May and the FIH are scheduled to make a final decision in November of this year.

Southampton announce JD as new shirt sleeve partner

Southampton Football Club is pleased to announce JD, the global leader in branded sports-fashion retail, as its new Official Sleeve partner for the 2022/23 season. 

As part of the partnership, Southampton FC has signed a one-year agreement which will see JD become the official sleeve partner for the Men’s First Team, B-Team, Under 18’s and all Academy teams.

“We’re delighted to welcome JD as our new sleeve sponsor. JD is one of the world’s leading retail brands, with exciting aspirations. As a leader in youth fashion, their values align perfectly with our vision of developing young talent and turning potential into excellence. We look forward to working with JD in bringing this partnership to life for our fans over the coming season through a range of different activations,” said, Sarah Batters, Southampton Football Club Partnerships and Marketing Director.

“This is a really exciting partnership for JD, especially our local stores in Southampton, and we feel the Saints are a great fit to showcase the JD brand on the pitch around the world. The club’s connection to the fans and the continued level of talent that the academy produces align with our brand and we are excited to be able to work together to bring this sponsorship to life,” said Nadia Kokni, JD Global Marketing Director. 

All fans who purchase any of the Southampton FC 2022/23 replica kits will be able to go into the Southampton FC stadium store and Marland’s store to have the JD branding applied to their shirts free of charge from this weekend. Alternatively, fans can go to the two Southampton JD store locations and the Eastleigh JD store. Further details will be announced on @southamptonfc & @jdfootball social channels.

To celebrate the new partnership Southampton FC and JD will be giving three lucky fans the chance to win a bundle including 1 x signed shirt, 1 x £200 JD gift voucher and 2 x Hospitality tickets for the Halo Lounge. For more information, people can visit southamptonfc.com.

Leicester City install first frictionless kiosk anywhere in Europe

Leicester City Football Club has become the first in Europe to install a frictionless kiosk at its stadium to dramatically improve the speed in which fans can purchase food and drink on a matchday.

When the Foxes hosted LaLiga side Sevilla in a pre-season friendly on Filbert Way on Sunday 31 July, supporters will be able to experience the Tap + Go technology for the first time in the North Stand Family Section. The system was also in operation for the FA Community Shield on Saturday 30 July when Liverpool played Manchester City.

Operated by Levy UK+I, the sports and hospitality sector of Compass Group UK and Ireland, supporters simply need to tap a payment card upon entry into the kiosk, pick up the items they want and walk out of the gates onto the concourse, where their card will be automatically charged – a process which takes a matter of seconds.

Utilising frictionless technology, Tap + Go is operated via anonymised shopper tracking which recognises the products being selected by customers, before adding them to a virtual basket. Facial recognition is not needed, ensuring complete anonymity.

Checkouts will be replaced by the installation of fully contactless payment terminals connected to the digital barriers upon exit, enabling fans to make purchases in a fraction of the time and with far greater ease.

Leicester City Operations Director, Anthony Mundy, said: “We are constantly looking at new solutions to improve the stadium experience for fans. The launch of Tap + Go at our venue will enable us to take the fan experience to the next level by making it easier than ever for guests to purchase and enjoy our first-class food and beverage offerings. We are confident that our partnership with Levy UK+I will continue to make the future of hospitality accessible to our guests.”

Rak Kalidas, Commercial Director, Levy UK+Icommented: “The truly frictionless F&B purchase experience created through Tap + Go marks a major step forward for Leicester City and the fan experience at King Power Stadium. In an industry currently teeming with innovation, this technology is a fine example of how Levy UK+I stands out in taking the hospitality sector forwards further and faster. We are proud to be working closely with our venue partners to offer guests a revolutionary experience that goes beyond anything currently available in UK stadia.”

Lewis Hamilton joins ownership group of Denver Broncos

It’s a new era in Denver, where the Broncos are hoping to return to a championship-winning standard.

They’re welcoming in someone who knows quite a lot about winning. The Broncos have officially added Formula One superstar Sir Lewis Hamilton to the team’s new ownership group, the club announced Tuesday.

“We’re delighted to welcome seven-time Formula One world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton to our ownership group,” Broncos owner-to-be Rob Walton released in a statement on behalf of the team’s new ownership group. “He is a champion competitor who knows what it takes to lead a winning team and a fierce advocate for global equality, including in his own sport. With over 100 race wins, Lewis is considered the most successful F1 driver of all time. His resilient spirit and standard of excellence will be an asset to the ownership group and the Broncos organization.”

Hamilton stands alongside Michael Schumacher as the only two drivers in Formula One’s 70-plus-year history to win seven World Drivers’ Championships. His F1 career began in 2007, a season in which he impressed the racing world by finishing second in the drivers’ championship, and a year later, he won the title at just 23 years old. Since then, he’s won six more titles with two teams (McLaren and Mercedes) and has established himself as a driver who must always be respected, no matter the condition of his car.

Everton and Davanti Tyres extend partnership

Everton Football Club and international tyre manufacturer Davanti Tyres have announced a renewed, multi-year extension of their global commercial partnership. 

The deal will see Davanti, a long-standing Club partner since 2017, remain as Everton’s ‘Official Global Tyre Partner’.

The ongoing partnership enables the Club to continue to support the brand’s objective to further increase its presence in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Far East and South America.

The renewal will also allow Davanti to benefit from enhanced exposure across Everton’s digital channels and at Goodison Park on matchdays.

Richard Kenyon, Chief Commercial and Communications Officer at Everton, said: “We are pleased to confirm this partnership renewal and would like to thank Davanti for extending their commitment to the Club.

“Our Partnerships team has worked closely with Davanti over the past five years to help develop its brand internationally and it has been really pleasing for us to play a part in their growth – growth which we are sure will continue as our partnership develops in the years ahead.”

Peter Cross, General Manager of Davanti Tyres, added: “Last season demonstrated just how much passion Evertonians have for their great club, and after five years of partnership with Everton we really feel a part of the Club’s journey. 

“We’re delighted to have extended the agreement, and that Davanti will remain as a long-standing partner.”

PGA Tour announce new FedEx Cup schedule for 2022-23 under LIV threat

The PGA TOUR today announced its 2022-23 FedEx Cup Season schedule of 47 tournaments, featuring 44 Regular Season events and three FedExCup Playoffs events, culminating with the crowning of the 2023 FedExCup champion at the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, August 21-27.

As announced on June 22, qualification criteria for the FedExCup Playoffs have been revised starting in 2023, with just 70 players earning a start in the first Playoffs event, the FedEx St. Jude Championship, followed by 50 players advancing to the BMW Championship, with the TOUR Championship field remaining at 30 players. 

Next season’s schedule includes record prize money and eight invitationals spread throughout with players competing for elevated purses ranging from $15 to $25 million. The bonus pools totaling $145 million include $75 million for the FedExCup, $20 million for the Comcast Business TOUR TOP 10 and $50 million for the Player Impact Program. 

“We’ve heard from our fans and the overwhelming sentiment was that they wanted more consequences for both the FedExCup Regular Season and the Playoffs, and to further strengthen events that traditionally feature top players competing head-to-head,” said PGATOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “We feel strongly we’ve accomplished all of these objectives and more, creating a cadence of compelling drama for every tournament throughout the season. Each week has its own identity and purpose, and we’re set up for an exciting 2022-23 campaign as we transition into a calendar season in 2024 that will include a number of new and innovative competitive aspects in the fall.”

The 70 players who qualify for the first Playoffs event will be fully exempt for the following season as the TOUR transitions to a calendar-year season beginning in 2024 with the core portion of the FedExCup contested from January to August. Following the core FedExCup season, official PGA TOUR events will be conducted in the fall, where all players with status for the 2022-23 FedExCup Season will be eligible to compete. Those outside of the top-70 will compete for FedExCup points in a compelling, consequential final stretch to secure status for 2024.

Following the fall events, the TOUR will introduce a series of international events that include the top-50 players from the final FedExCup Points list, the top performers in the fall and additional eligibility as part of a limited-field, no-cut format. Further details on the fall events and the global series are expected to be announced later this year.

EA Sports announced as title sponsor of all LaLiga competitions

Electronics Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and LaLiga, a leader in football entertainment, announced today they have entered into a one of a kind, multi-year partnership that will allow both parties to deliver groundbreaking experiences for global football fans.

Starting in the 2023/2024 season, the partnership between EA SPORTS FCTM and LaLiga will include title naming rights for all LaLiga competitions, a complete rebrand of LaLiga with EA SPORTS including all logos, graphics, fonts and other visual elements, while also delivering new in-game integration, broadcast highlights, and joint commitments to supporting grassroots initiatives.

This new partnership will encompass the first and second divisions of LaLiga (Spain’s top professional football competitions), LaLiga Promises (the league’s annual youth tournament) and eLaLiga.

“EA SPORTS FC is committed to delivering the most authentic and immersive experiences in global football. Our innovative new partnership with LaLiga further elevates that ambition and solidifies both organizations’ position at the centre of football culture,” said David Jackson, VP Brand, EA SPORTS FC. “The visible reach and scale of this partnership is deeply exciting, as is the opportunity to deliver incredible experiences for fans through in-game innovation, interactive entertainment and grassroots. initiatives.”

“EA SPORTS represents the cutting edge of interactive football experiences while LaLiga is at the forefront of actual football competitions with unmatched in-person, broadcast and digital fan experiences,” said Javier Tebas, President, LaLiga.

“We have been strategic partners with EA SPORTS for years and this expanded agreement is a commitment to providing the next level of innovation to all football fans, a fusion between the virtual and real worlds of football.”

For years, fans have been able to experience unrivaled authenticity in game, playing with their favourite LaLiga teams, players, and stadiums within EA SPORTS’ football ecosystem. With this partnership, EA SPORTS and LaLiga will deepen their collaboration. In addition to the naming rights partnership, fans will experience the benefit through technology, gameplay enhancements and development, and real-world football highlights.

Both LaLiga and EA SPORTS are committed to grassroots initiatives to grow the game which will include increasing accessibility, upgrading facilities, and many more initiatives to truly immerse fans into the world of football.

“This partnership with EA SPORTS is set to truly transform the way football is enjoyed around the world,” said Óscar Mayo, Executive Director, LaLiga. “Moreover the alliance demonstrates LaLiga is a global brand, evidence of the success of our league to connect with fans internationally.”

“We’re thrilled to partner with a worldwide leader in football fandom to better connect our fans to their favourite clubs, players, and LaLiga competitions,” said Nick Wlodyka, SVP & GM, EA SPORTS FC.

“The contributions from LaLiga to our EA SPORTS FC portfolio will be immense, not only from a visual aspect, but across technological and game development improvements, further blurring the lines between the real and virtual worlds of football.”

More details of the partnership will be shared in the coming months, with information on EA SPORTS FC products being made available in Summer 2023.

EngageCraft appoint Rupert Pratt as Sales and Marketing Director

The co-founder and former Managing Partner of multi award-winning Generate Sponsorship is tasked with driving a new phase of growth for the international fan engagement business, following its acquisition in 2020 by a consortium of UK-based investors.

Founded in Lithuania, EngageCraft has built a reputation for developing digital engagement products for many of the world’s biggest sports rights holders, betting companies and media owners.

The appointment takes place at a time of rapid development in direct-to-consumer offerings within sports, driven by increased sponsor demands for digital inventory and first party data coupled with the impact of betting deregulation in North America.

Pratt, who will be based out of the company’s London headquarters, said: “I’m delighted to be joining EngageCraft at a time when sports rights owners are fully grasping the critical need to take back control of their digital ecosystems.

“EngageCraft’s products are market leading, which is why the business has quietly built one of sport’s most prestigious and progressive client portfolios. I’m proud to be joining them and very excited about our plans for the coming months.”

EngageCraft Board Director Damon Russell said of the appointment: “Increasingly, knowing, growing, engaging and monetizing fanbases is the business of sport.

“Rupert is a sport industry leader with a reputation for innovation and driving commercial growth. I am convinced that his deep expertise across sponsorship and digital will be of great benefit to EngageCraft in this very important next phase for the business.”

Pratt joins EngageCraft following a four-year spell consulting across the sport and digital sector for companies including Snack Media, Reactoo and running the DigitalSport event platform following the sale of Generate Sponsorship to Mission Marketing PLC’s Mongoose in 2013.