VOL 27 ISSUE 30, August 3, 2026
Main Caption: A visit from Sunderland AFC to Bridgestone Arena in Nashville showcased Delaware North’s global reach. Taking time for a photo during the visit are (from left) Michael Geczi, general manager of Bridgestone Arena for Sportservice; Dave Rotheram, catering services director for Delaware North U.K. at Wembley Stadium and the Stadium of Light; Scott McCubbin, chief commercial officer for BIA Sports and Sunderland AFC; Tom Burwell, CEO of BIA Sports and Sunderland AFC; Marco Galer-Reick, vice president of strategy enablement and HR for Delaware North U.K.; and Josh Burleson, assistant general manager for Sportservice at Bridgestone Arena.
Delaware North’s global reach was on display in late July when representatives of Sunderland Association Football Club (AFC), one of the company’s clients in the United Kingdom, visited Nashville during its preseason tour of the United States.
The Premier League club was in Tennessee ahead of a match against Liverpool FC and spent an evening at Bridgestone Arena, where Delaware North welcomed about 80 guests – including players, coaches, executives, media representatives, sponsors and commercial partners.
Delaware North has partnered with Sunderland AFC since 2025, providing catering and hospitality services at the club’s Stadium of Light. The Nashville event offered an opportunity to extend that relationship beyond the United Kingdom while showcasing the company’s ability to connect clients across its global portfolio.
Hosted by the Bridgestone Arena Sportservice team that’s led by General Manager Michael Geczi, the evening featured live music, Southern-inspired cuisine and behind-the-scenes access to the home of the NHL’s Nashville Predators. Guests enjoyed dishes such as Nashville hot chicken and smoked pulled pork with Alabama white barbecue sauce, while Sunderland players were served a customized menu developed by Delaware North’s culinary team in collaboration with the club’s nutritionists.
One of the evening’s highlights was a world-exclusive preview of Sunderland AFC’s 2026-27 home jersey, which was unveiled on Bridgestone Arena’s center-hung videoboard before its public release. Players and guests also toured the Predators’ locker rooms and player facilities, creating content that was later shared across the club’s social media channels.
As part of the event, Delaware North presented personalized Predators jerseys to Sunderland AFC CEO Tom Burwell and team captain Luke O’Nien.
“This was a great example of what makes Delaware North unique,” said Marco Galer-Reick, vice president of strategy enablement and HR for Delaware North U.K. “Through our network of venues and partnerships around the world, we can create experiences that strengthen relationships and bring our clients together in meaningful ways. It was exciting to welcome our friends from Sunderland AFC to Nashville and showcase the hospitality of the Bridgestone Arena team.”
Burwell thanked Delaware North for its partnership with the club and recognized the company’s continued investment in hospitality operations at the Stadium of Light.
The visit generated significant engagement across Sunderland AFC’s social media channels, further highlighting the success of an event that connected Delaware North teams and clients across two continents.