Texas Athletics welcomes Sodexo Live! as new hospitality partner
AUSTIN – The University of Texas today announced a multi-year agreement with Sodexo Live!, the hospitality partner to the world’s most iconic venues, to manage fan hospitality at many of its athletics facilities and performance dining for Longhorn athletes. The 2024-25 season marks the beginning of a new era as Texas joins the Southeastern Conference, and Longhorn football fans can expect a distinct, Texas-inspired brand of menu selections and friendly hospitality.
The deal will encompass the iconic Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium, which seats more than 100,000 for football gamedays and in 2024 will celebrate its 100th anniversary. The agreement will also include the newly renovated membership club, The University of Texas Club, and also a number of other venues on the Austin campus, including UFCU Disch-Falk Field, Red & Charline McCombs Field, Gregory Gymnasium, Mike A. Myers Stadium and the Texas Athletics Nutrition Center.
“Longhorn Nation, we’re excited to announce that we have paired with Sodexo Live! as our new hospitality partner,” said University of Texas Vice President and Lois and Richard Folger Athletics Director Chris Del Conte. “This is a big-time win for all of our great fans on game days at so many of our sport venues and for our student-athletes on a daily basis at the TANC.”
As The University of Texas continues at the forefront of the college football landscape, the hospitality team, known as 1883 Provision Co, will build upon its 30 years of exceptional general concourse dining in partnership with Sodexo, to now offer elevated premium offerings from Sodexo Live!, the sports and entertainment hospitality division with decades of expertise in creating unforgettable fan experiences. The offerings will capture the best chef partners that Austin has to offer, and will continually push the envelope with creative cuisines for every tier of fan seating, from family-friendly to luxe premium, whether in the Founders Lounge, Myers-Dodds Legacy Club, Ricoh Stadium Club, Touchdown Club, Centennial Club or UFCU Field Club.
The program will include a close collaboration, as well, with Austin-based McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality for Texas Football gamedays. MML is an industry-leading hospitality group that owns and manages over 30 successful and popular restaurants, hotels, and retail shops in Austin and beyond.
“We’re absolutely pumped to hit the ground running as the Longhorns contend for national championships across all their sports in 2024 and 2025,” said Belinda Oakley, Chief Executive Officer, Sodexo Live!. “We’re going to bring to life an incredible food and drink program and game-changing tech innovations for everyone in Burnt Orange to enjoy all year-round, and work hand-in-hand with our incredible roster of local partners and an athletics department that is focused on providing the best possible fan experience each and every time.”
The University of Texas joins a growing portfolio of collegiate athletic venues managed by Sodexo Live!, including the University of Florida, University of Mississippi, University of Michigan, University of Louisville, and more. The company is also a partner to leading professional sports venues, such as Hard Rock Stadium, Lucas Oil Stadium, and Caesars Superdome, the host of Super Bowl LIX in February 2025.
After a thrilling 2023-24 athletics season that included a record 15 conference championships across its 21 varsity sports and a College Football Playoff appearance, Texas Athletics joins the Southeastern Conference and continues its mission to bring the best game day experience in college athletics to Longhorn fans. Texas Football’s 2024 seven-game home slate opens with Colorado State on August 31 and the much-anticipated SEC home opener is September 28 versus Mississippi State.
About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages prestigious convention, cultural, and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales, and event management services, helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. Sodexo Live! commits to unlocking customers’ full potential while favoring local communities. Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup and soon the Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Museo del Prado in Madrid, Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Gallery, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
