VOL 27 ISSUE 15, April 13, 2026
As Inter Miami CF took the field for the first-ever match at Nu Stadium in Miami on April 4, Delaware North’s team was right there with them – delivering a premium hospitality experience for thousands of fans under some very unique conditions.
Located inside Miami Freedom Park in the heart of Miami, Nu Stadium is the new home for Inter Miami CF of Major League Soccer (MLS), where Delaware North Sportservice and Patina Group will be setting the stage for a dynamic, world-class fan experience, providing a variety of dining options from concessions to premium areas. This marks the first of many new Sportservice projects that seamlessly integrate Patina into Sportservice operations.
With the stadium still under construction – Inter Miami received the temporary certificate of occupancy that very same day – the opening required extraordinary coordination, flexibility and problem-solving across teams to bring the venue to life for fans.
Behind the scenes, Delaware North’s operations and culinary leaders worked against the clock to ensure guests were served smoothly, safely and with the level of hospitality they expect – despite limited infrastructure and equipment still coming online.
With kitchen capabilities restricted, the culinary team, led by Executive Chef Marvilou Mapa, designed and executed a cold food only service plan that still delivered quality, efficiency and consistency at scale.
The incredible effort around the stadium was driven by close collaboration between onsite teams and leadership – including Director of Operations Jeff Tandberg and General Manager Thomas Yacopino – all working toward the same goal: making sure Nu Stadium was ready for its first fans the moment the gates opened.
“Sportservice and Patina combined committed over 45 managers to assist in the opening of Nu Stadium,” Vice President of Operations John DonVito said. “The collaboration and commitment to excellence is what makes working for Delaware North so special. No other company could have pulled off what we did.”
