Albion retain prestigious matchday hospitality award

2025-07-04T16:00+01:00

From left: Claire Morris, Sodexo Live! chief executive, MasterChef winner Steven Edwards, Albion’s head of commercial Russell Wood and Ben Stephenson, senior 1901 Club executive, celebrate our success at the Stadium Experience Awards.

Albion and stadium catering partners Sodexo Live! had a brilliant night at the Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards on Thursday, becoming the first club to retain the prestigious Overall Matchday Hospitality Experience award.

The 18th staging of the event took place at the Amex and the club and Sodexo Live! won the gold medal for the Matchday Hospitality Award (Large Stadium) and Overall Matchday Hospitality Award for the second successive year.

A panel of industry experts judged Albion and Sodexo Live! to have offered the very best matchday hospitality experience from 31 clubs in different sports across the UK.

Sodexo Live! employee Julie-Ann Buxton-Beales, event sales coordinator at the American Express Stadium, was also recognised in the Above & Beyond Recognition Award, winning the silver medal.

Julie-Ann joined Sodexo Live! in March 2023 and has become an invaluable team member, consistently going above and beyond her role to provide exceptional customer service.

Albion and Sodexo Live! celebrate after winning the gold award for the best matchday hospitality award for the second year running.

More than 400 guests from 71 clubs attended the event. After a tour of the Tunnel Club they enjoyed food prepared by MasterChef The Professionals winner Steven Edwards in the Mayo Wynne Baxter Suite which was followed by an onsite party in The Terrace.

Russell Wood, Albion's head of commercial, said: “To win the overall best matchday hospitality experience award for two years in a row is a fantastic achievement and is testament to the hard work of all our club and Sodexo Live! staff.

“We are the first club to win this award two seasons running and we look forward to continuing to develop our matchday hospitality offering, making them the best possible experience for our members.”

Claire Morris, Sodexo Live! UK&I chief executive, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled with our collaborative success at this year’s Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards. It is an incredible achievement to win the overall matchday hospitality award, but to win it two years in a row is testament to the passion, talent and dedication everyone has at the American Express Stadium."