Industry News

Levy adds Providence Park to MLS portfolio

Hospitality services provider Levy has entered into long-term partnerships with Major League soccer team the Portland Timbers and National Women’s Soccer League franchise the Portland Thorns, which both play at the Providence Park stadium.

The partnership names Levy as the exclusive hospitality partner for all concessions, premium seating and catering at Providence Park from January.

As part of the agreement, Levy will design menus and dining environments throughout the stadium, with a focus to be placed on local cuisine. Technology will also be introduced to streamline payment and transactions at the stadium, while Levy will help plan and design spaces within Providence Park’s new expanded sections.

Andy Lansing, president and chief executive of Levy, said: “We’re at an incredibly exciting time for soccer in North America, with teams reimagining the fundamental game-day experience to adapt to growing and very engaged fan bases. As one of the premier clubs in the country, the Timbers are at the absolute forefront of this movement.

“We are excited to bring the knowledge we’ve gained from serving soccer fans across MLS to create something incredibly special for this very unique group of fans at Providence Park. This is going to be a lot of fun for everyone.”

In April, the Timbers announced a more than $50m (€42.2m/£37.3m) expansion project for Providence Park. The privately funded development will add four new levels and approximately 4,000 seats on the east side.

Three of those levels were designed for reserved and group seating sections to help meet demand, while including a pedestrian-friendly public arcade along SW 18th Avenue. The stadium’s overall capacity will increase to approximately 25,000. The Timbers last week said that work on the stadium is progressing well.

Levy also handles dining and hospitality experiences at the following MLS venues: Audi Field (D.C. United), BBVA Compass Stadium (Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash), Mapfre Stadium (Columbus Crew), Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta United), Rio Tinto Stadium (Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC) and StubHub Center (LA Galaxy).

Image: Ray Terrill