Ole Miss Athletics and Sodexo Live! today announced a 10-year partnership extension, reinforcing its commitment to further bolster the growing hospitality program that has been built upon over more than two decades since the partnership began. With a shared vision to provide guests an outstanding gameday experience, Sodexo Live! and Ole Miss will continue to create unforgettable memories through food and beverage at its athletics venues, including Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, The Sandy and John Black Pavilion and Oxford-University Stadium at Swayze Field, among others.
Sodexo Live! has been a driving force in transforming fan hospitality for Rebel Nation since day one. More recently, Sodexo Live! facilitated the introduction of alcohol sales – a first for the venue – and has grown overall revenue more than 150 percent since 2019.
Focusing on innovation, fan engagement, and operational excellence, Sodexo Live! and Ole Miss have collaborated on various improvements across the university’s facilities, with more always in the works. More than 30 points-of-sale and new grab-and-go options were added to reduce wait times and improve service during high-traffic moments, menu offerings have been expanded that align with always-changing guest expectations, and service in premium seating areas have redefined what it means to watch games in comfort and style. Other improvements include concourse branding updates for quick identification and improved wayfinding to get fans moving with ease.
"There has never been a better time to be part of gameday at Ole Miss, and it’s a top priority for us to continue delivering an exceptional fan experience across our venues. Sodexo Live! has played a key role in that process, and we’re excited to continue our partnership,” said Keith Carter, Ole Miss Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics. “From enhancing premium spaces to introducing new menu items, their team is committed to bringing creativity and consistency to every game, and we look forward to advancing our hospitality together."
"We’re incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with Ole Miss and are thrilled to continue innovating together in the years to come," said Kevin Mitchell, Senior Vice President at Sodexo Live!. "We’ve worked side by side to bring modern solutions to some of the SEC’s most passionate fans and this new chapter gives us even more opportunity to raise the bar."
As part of its broader commitment to collegiate athletics, Sodexo Live! offers significant and long-standing expertise in supporting NCAA institutions nationwide, feeding both athletes and fans to deliver tailored hospitality solutions that meet the needs of all guests in an ever-evolving landscape.
About Ole Miss Athletics
The University of Mississippi, which is known as Ole Miss, is a member of the NCAA and Southeastern Conference and features 18 varsity sports in its athletics department. Bearing the nickname Rebels and wearing the colors Cardinal Red and Navy Blue, these teams and student-athletes have produced 38 national championships, including five team titles, dating back to 1893 when the football program fielded the school's first varsity squad. Based in Oxford, Mississippi, with a student enrollment of 27,124, Ole Miss Athletics is under the leadership of Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter and placed 20th in the 2021-22 Learfield IMG College Directors' Cup standings, the highest ever finish by a school from Mississippi.
About Sodexo Live!
Sodexo Live! manages prestigious convention, cultural, and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales, and event management services, helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. Sodexo Live! commits to unlocking customers’ full potential while favoring local communities. Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, Roland-Garros, the Rugby World Cup and the Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Hard Rock Stadium, the Scottish National Gallery, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.