Preview of upcoming video interview with Arsenal FC’s Head of Premium Sales, Service & Operations, Tom McCann

Sports Venue Business was lucky enough to visit Emirates Stadium, home to Arsenal FC, earlier this month, during which time we interviewed Tom McCann on the three-year stadium expansion and Club Level renovations that are due to come to fruition next year.

As Head of Premium Sales, Service & Operations, Tom’s role has included overseeing the stadium expansion and Club Level renovations that have been ongoing over the last three years, from the creation of the business plans, to justification of the projects, and securing board approval for the CAPEX spend.

These projects have involved the addition of an extra row of Club Level seats and redevelopment of a number of hospitality/club areas, including the new Avenell Club, all directed towards ensuring Arsenal FC is providing fans and members with a truly world-class offering.

Tom advised:

We have already added half of the extra row of Club seats, which were built during the 2018 close season, with the other half to be completed this year, again, during the close season, so as to ensure minimum impact on our fans. It’s been a huge logistical challenge. We basically had to map out the new configuration, taking into account members original seats, and moving fans from the ‘old’ row 1 to the ‘new’ row 1, etc. It’s been very well received so far and the learnings we’ve made from the first half, will be used for the second half.

 

Every year since 2010, the club has made a CAPEX investment on upgrading and renovating the stadium, including the recently completed Dial Square; a new dining experience, offering everything from fresh rotisserie chicken to pizza straight from the Premier League’s first open-flame pizza oven. This space has seen food and beverage revenues increase 105% since opening. There will be two more Club Level renovations next summer, including the Highbury Restaurant, which will be redeveloped into an informal food court with a range of street-food options and one of the corner bars, Champions, will also be redeveloped. These will be the last two Club Level spaces to be renovated since the stadium opened.

Our in-depth video interview with Tom is coming soon…

Tom is a regular at ALSD events, having attended the last three in the United States and having spoken at the ALSD International event in London last year. He will once again be joining us for ALSD International coming to Croke Park Stadium in Dublin this October, 28-29.

In the meantime, make sure to read our written interview with Tom McCann, Head of Premium Sales, Service & Operations at Arsenal FC, simply click on the image of Emirates Stadium below…

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