August 10, 2022 | By Bronwen Largier | Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes and Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather at Allianz Stadium
It’s no longer just hot chips, hot dogs and a beer at the rugby or the soccer – with Sydney hospitality icon Merivale to take on the full food and beverage offering for the recently completed rebuild of Allianz Stadium, it’ll be oysters, negronis, Jimmy’s Falafels and the famous cheeseburger spring rolls from Ms G’s for sports fans, concert goers and corporate hospitality.
Having taken on the F&B contract for the government-owned Sydney Cricket Ground in December last year, through state agency Venues NSW, Merivale will also oversee the food and hospitality offering at the state’s second stadium in Moore Park in Sydney’s inner east.
Merivale will be drawing on the hero dishes from across its sizeable range of standalone restaurants, including Totti’s, El Loco, Bert’s Bar and Brasserie, Jimmy’s Falafels and Ms G’s, to service the 64 food and beverage outlets across the stadium precinct.
The stadium’s corporate hospitality offering, including seven function spaces, 51 suites, two outdoor terraces and 84 outdoor boxes, will also all be serviced by Merivale.
“We are tremendously excited to enter the second phase of our hospitality partnership with Venues NSW and cannot wait for the incredible Allianz Stadium to open its doors to a new world of entertainment,” said Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes.
“Our stadia hospitality continues to go from strength to strength, and we’re so eager to be a part of the wonderful stadium experience for the millions of guests who are clamouring to see this jewel in the crown of Sydney’s sports and entertainment landscape.”
Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather said Merivale had “transformed the hospitality experience at the Sydney Cricket Ground” and she expects the business will take it to another level once Allianz Stadium opens on August 28.
The 42,500-seat stadium will have a sit-down restaurant offering, Bert’s Bistro, and will offer martinis and margaritas across the stadium as part of the beverage offering.
There will also be fish and chips and burgers available, Merivale style.