After the Covid-19 pandemic left London’s Wembley Stadium largely empty and quiet for more than a year, the iconic venue was full of fans once again as it hosted the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Euro 2020 men’s football championship tournament over the past several weeks. The stadium, where Delaware North has provided hospitality services since 2007, hosted a total of eight games, beginning on June 13 and ending with the tournament’s final-round game between England and Italy on July 11, which drew more than 65,000 fans.
As Covid restrictions were incrementally lifted throughout the spring and early summer, Delaware North’s team had only a few weeks to prepare to host the thousands of fans and an international spotlight.
“As a test venue for the government’s Covid comeback trials, and delivering on this prestigious international tournament, Delaware North’s UK team faced an everchanging agenda,” said Daniel Clark, Delaware North’s executive director of operations in the UK.
“With a need to be reactive, proactive, flight-of-foot and flexible, no challenge was too much to take on. The nation’s excitement grew with the [English] national team’s performance, and the Delaware North UK team simply matched it! Wembley Stadium’s Euro 2020 roller coaster got faster and faster and the ride became more and more exciting.
“We are very, very proud of our whole team who ‘leaned forward’ and ‘stood up’ when needed, and in so many ways ‘came together’ to give guests and fans under the Wembley Arch a lifelong memory,” Clark added.
In addition to having fans back in the stands, the Euro 2020 tournament provided the opportunity to return many Delaware North associates to work and the chance to deliver a world-class hospitality operation for the UEFA client.
“This was a momentous time for England and Delaware North is proud to have played a key role,” said Doug Tetley, managing director for Delaware North in the UK.
“We were thrilled to have our team back serving fans, and Delaware North has absolutely been recognized as front and center in providing the platform to allow such great memories and experiences. Compliments abound from both our UEFA and FA (Football Association) clients.”
All told, the Delaware North team at Wembley delivered with impressive numbers, including:
- 284,000 total fans counted through turnstiles
- 273,000 transactions throughout the tournament
- 242,000 canned beverages sold
- 485,000 beers sold
- A staggering 162,000 hot food items prepared