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Protective Stadium ties up Centerplate deal

Centerplate will provide hospitality services at Protective Stadium as part of a new long-term deal that incorporates the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex and Legacy Arena.

Centerplate had an existing agreement in place with the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center Authority to serve guests at the Convention Complex and Legacy Arena, and the new 12-year deal extends this commitment and also includes Protective Stadium, which will have a capacity of 45,000 and will be used during the US city’s staging of the 2022 World Games.

The contract has been approved by the BJCCA Board of Directors and maintains exclusivity at the complex until 2032 for all catering, food and beverage services for Centerplate and its parent company Sodexo.

Legacy Arena forms part of the Convention Complex and has a capacity of 19,000. The arena hosts basketball and tennis events as well as music concerts and is currently undergoing a $100m (£74m/€81m) renovation that is designed to attract larger events to the venue.

Work on Protective Stadium, which will also be situated in the Convention Complex, began in 2019. As well as serving as the main host venue for the 2022 World Games, the stadium will stage music concerts and become the home of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s American football team.

Centerplate chief executive Steve Pangburn said: “We are thrilled to continue working closely with the City of Birmingham, the BJCC, the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau and others to redefine the guest experience for all those who come to visit this thriving city centre.

“Since beginning this relationship in 2018, our team has embedded itself in the local community through a focus on service, innovative design and partnerships with premium local, regional and national suppliers. We look forward to the future together.”

Tad Snider, executive director of the BJCC Authority, added: “Centerplate and Sodexo have brought exceptional vision and talent to the table over the last few years, and we are very excited to work with them to continue enhancing the quality of services here in Birmingham. The new improvements will focus on the fan experience, premium seating options, food and beverage and more.”