Switchbacks and Levy will craft the food and beverage experience at the new Downtown Stadium rallying around local purveyors and Colorado’s craft beer community
FOR IMMEDIATE reLEASE (September 14, 2020):
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC today announced a partnership with Levy to create the food and beverage experience at the new, state-of-the-art Downtown Stadium set to open in early 2021. Levy, the market leader in creating world-class fan experiences at iconic sports and entertainment venues, brings experience innovating match day hospitality at many of the country’s newest soccer-specific stadiums. Together with the Switchbacks, Levy will define hospitality across concessions, clubs and suites, and catering as the stadium brings a new premier destination for private and social events to Downtown Colorado Springs.
“The Switchbacks are very excited to welcome Levy, a world class food experience provider, to downtown Colorado Springs,” said Nick Ragain, President of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. “There is an incredible amount of architecture behind the clean, fun, and inspiring food experience patrons will come to enjoy at matches and specially catered events at the downtown stadium for many years to come.”
“Cutting-edge new venues like the Downtown Stadium have become the heartbeat of soccer during a period of unprecedented growth for the sport,” said Andy Lansing, President and CEO of Levy. “In a city known for innovating athletic training and facilities in this country, we’re excited to partner with the Switchbacks to match that energy and spirit in building a customized food and beverage experience that will become a true destination for hospitality in downtown.”
When the Downtown Stadium opens in 2021, fans will be greeted with a variety of food and beverage experiences and flavors. New, original recipes for classic stadium fare will elevate the match day must- haves, and fans will want to arrive early for a bite and sip of favorite Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado restaurants and purveyors. Colorado’s craft beer community will also be well-represented across bars, concourse destinations, and private seating areas.
A primary focus of the partnership will be creating a comprehensive plan to safely deliver hospitality when fans are able to attend matches. The Switchbacks and Levy are working together to create and implement a plan for stringent hygiene and sanitation protocols and that ensures proper social distance, based on Levy’s established best practices.
Levy is the leader in creating a new benchmark for the match day food and beverage experience, including many of the newest, state-of-the-art soccer-specific venues. When the 2021-22 MLS season kicks-off, Levy will be the hospitality partner at 11 venues league-wide, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and Audi Field in DC, among others, as well as two new venues in Austin in Cincinnati. Levy has played an integral role in creating unmatched experiences at world-renowned events such as the Grammy Awards, Kentucky Derby and US Open Tennis Championships. Closer to home, Levy oversees food and beverage at University of Colorado Athletics facilities.
About Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
The Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC are the number one professional sports franchise in Southern Colorado and compete against 34 other US markets in the USL Championship soccer league. In 2021, the Switchbacks will be opening a new 8,000 seat stadium in downtown Colorado Springs as part of the City for Champions projects which include the US Olympic & Paralympic Museum, Hybl Sports Medicine & Performance Center, US Air Force Visitor Center, and Colorado College’s Robson Arena. Coached by Alan Koch, who currently holds the longest unbeaten streak in the USLC and a USLC Coach of the Year recipient, the Switchbacks have high expectations as they move into the new stadium.
About Levy
The disruptor in defining the sports and entertainment hospitality experience, Levy is recognized as the market leader and most critically acclaimed hospitality company in its industry. Twice named one of the 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company magazine and one of the top three Best Employers for Diversity in America by Forbes, Levy’s diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants; iconic sports and entertainment venues, zoos and cultural institutions, theaters, and convention centers; as well as the Super Bowl, Grammy Awards, PGA Championship, US Open Tennis Tournament, Kentucky Derby, and NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL, and MLS All-Star Games. For more, visit www.levyrestaurants.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.