Stadium Experience is delighted to announce that the Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards 2027 will be hosted at Ashton Gate Stadium, the home of both Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears Rugby Club, on Thursday 1st July 2027.
The 2027 event promises to be particularly special as it marks the 20th annual Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards, while also celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Stadium Experience, making it a landmark year for the association.
More than 500 guests representing over 70 stadium venues from across the UK are expected to attend the prestigious gala evening at one of the country’s leading multi-purpose stadium venues. Guests will enjoy a welcome drinks reception, an exceptional three-course dinner, the awards presentation, live entertainment and an exclusive after-party on-site until 3.00am.
Ashton Gate Stadium boasts the largest event space in the South West of England, offering 38 flexible event spaces, 3,550m² of exhibition space and 18 executive boxes. The celebrations will begin with a spectacular pitch-side drinks reception before guests take their seats in The Lansdown Suite, the venue’s largest event space, which can accommodate up to 800 guests. The evening will conclude with an onsite after-party in The Independence Sports Bar.
The nationally recognised Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards celebrate excellence across the UK’s football, rugby, cricket and athletics stadiums, recognising the outstanding achievements of catering, conference, events, hospitality, sales and operations teams who continue to raise standards across the industry.
Chair of Stadium Experience, Collette Salmon, said: “As we celebrate both the 20th Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards and the 25th Anniversary of Stadium Experience, it is fitting that we do so at one of the UK’s premier stadium venues. Ashton Gate Stadium will provide a fantastic setting for what promises to be a memorable evening, bringing together the very best of our industry to recognise outstanding achievement, innovation and teamwork. We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across the UK to Bristol for what will be a truly special celebration.”
Key Dates
Most award categories will open for entry in October 2026, with the submission deadline set for Wednesday 24th March 2027, providing entrants with more than six months to prepare their entries.
The winners will be announced at the gala awards evening on Thursday 1st July 2027.
Tickets will also go on sale in October 2026, with priority booking available to Stadium Experience Member Venues.
Award Categories
There will be 15 categories available to enter for the 2027 awards. The categories will include:
- *NEW* Unsung Hero Award
- *NEW* Sustainable Initiative Award
- Chef Team of the Year Award – NOW OPEN FOR ENTRY
- Best Retail Catering Award
- Matchday Sales & Marketing Team of the Year Award
- Non-Matchday Sales & Marketing Team of the Year Award
- Non-Matchday Mystery Shopper Award
- Stadium Event of the Year Award
- Operations Team of the Year Award
- Visiting Rugby Directors Award
- Visiting Football Directors Award
- Matchday Hospitality Awards (Awards by Small, Medium & Large Stadiums) – NOW OPEN FOR ENTRY
- Overall Matchday Hospitality Award – NOW OPEN FOR ENTRY
Independent Judging Process
The Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards are independently judged, ensuring a fair, transparent and credible awards process. Stadium Experience does not judge any category.
In summary:
- The majority of awards categories (6) are decided by a Judging Panel, made up of a team of experts with many years of experience in their fields.
- The Matchday Hospitality Awards are judged by judges with 20+ experience and part of chef industry associations such as The British Culinary Federation, Craft Guild of Chefs and more.
- The Chef Team of the Year Award is organised and judged by The British Culinary Federation.
- The Non-Matchday Mystery Shopper Award is judged by Sandown Effective Sales Solutions Ltd.
- The Sustainable Initiative Award is judged by Greengage Solutions.
- The Visiting Directors Awards (Rugby & Football) are voted for by stadium directors.
With its milestone anniversary celebrations, prestigious venue and continued commitment to recognising excellence across the stadium events industry, the 2027 Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards promises to be one of the most memorable events in the association’s history.
Follow the latest news with #SEHA2027
Stadium Experience is also keen to explore awards sponsorship opportunities with companies who would like to get involved.
