Sportservice Takes Over Hartford Venue

Delaware North Companies Sportservice has been named the exclusive food and beverage services provider at the XL Center in Hartford, CT., the state's largest indoor sports and entertainment facility. The XL Center's 16,500-seat Veterans Memorial Coliseum is the home of the Big East Women's Basketball Championship and of the University of Connecticut Huskies men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League.

The arena also hosts concerts, circuses, ice shows and other family entertainment and sporting events. Meanwhile, the XL Center's 68,000 square feet of exhibit and meeting space hosts exhibitions, trade shows, conventions, and conferences.

Sportservice takes over the concessions, premium dining and catering operations from Centerplate under an agreement with XL Center operator Northland AEG LLC. Sportservice is making an investment to enhance concession area functionality and aesthetics, complementing lighting and other improvements planned by Northland AEG.

The XL Center's Comcast Coliseum Club features a 45-seat bar, a restaurant that can seat up to 180 guests, and 302 tiered plush seats with available in-seat dining overlooking the arena floor. The Club Level seating area also features a restaurant and bar. Sportservice will also provide catering services for the center's 46 executive suites and the Director's Suite, which features dining and meeting space available for both event and non-event days.

Sportservice operates concessions and premium dining at more than 50 sports venues, including eight Major League Baseball ballparks, four National Football League stadiums, six National Hockey League arenas, and one National Basketball Association arena.