Fully cashless points-of-sale, diverse lineup of local food trucks highlight the protocols for South Florida tennis fans

MIAMI GARDENS Fla. (March 18, 2021) – Today, Centerplate – a Sodexo company and the leading hospitality partner to North America's premier sports entertainment venues – announced new safety protocols for food and beverage service at the 2021 Miami Open presented by Itaú.

The Miami Open is expecting to host a limited number of fans at this year’s tournament, and spectators will be allowed to watch matches on the showcase courts. The tournament, will be held from March 22 – April 4, in Miami Gardens, Fla.

“Our goal is to provide the finest fan experience in the safest environment possible,” said Steve Pangburn, CEO, Centerplate / Sodexo Sports & Leisure North America. “We are hopeful that this will be another example for how limited attendance events can be hosted safely and responsibly amid the ongoing pandemic.”

The Miami Open and Hard Rock Stadium Executive Chef Dayanny de la Cruz is proud to offer Miami-inspired virtual recipes of food items and beverages, for fans to enjoy at home while they watch the matches. The recipe for the famed MO Smash, a light and refreshing courtside cocktail that embraces the deep flavors of Miami, will also be made available. Follow along on social media to view these delicious concoctions.

Among the specific changes to the onsite food and beverage approach:

  • An increased reliance on local food trucks, such as El Orgullo Latino Kitchen, Latin Fixins, Chef Jimmy Dean’s, Ella Café Coffee and more
  • 100% cashless points of sale to reduce contact; fans who don’t have credit cards can exchange cash for gift cards
  • Individually packaged flatware
  • Portion-controlled condiments
  • Transitioned foodservice to individual packaging and closed containers
  • Gloves and masks required for all food-service employees
  • Social distance markings to encourage and promote distancing guidelines in common areas
  • The Rise with Sodexo program is the company’s systematic approach to embracing this new world and adapting to new safety environment

Hard Rock Stadium was the first sports facility in North America to receive the esteemed GBAC Star accreditation, and the global entertainment destination has evolved its industry-leading fan experience protocols as it hosted home games for the Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes, and the College Football Playoff National Championship over the last few months.

At the conclusion of the event, the Miami Open, Hard Rock Stadium and Centerplate will work to donate leftover food items to the Miami chapter of Food Rescue US, to directly benefit local missions and shelters around South Florida.

 

Media Contacts

Paul Pettas, Communications Director, Centerplate / Sodexo Sports & Leisure

Sam Henderson, U.S. Communications Director, Tennis, Events

Sydney Wade, Manager, Corporate Communications, Hard Rock Stadium

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