Stadium Experience is pleased to announce that the 19th annual Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards will be hosted at Hill Dickinson Stadium, the new home of Everton Football Club. The date is confirmed for Thursday 2nd July 2026.
Around 500 guests from stadium venues across the UK will be welcomed to the stadium in north Liverpool, which opens for the first time at the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season.Guests will experience a fine dining three course menu, awards ceremony, live entertainment, and after party onsite until 3am.
Hill Dickinson Stadium is a brand-new, world-class venue that provides a 365-day-a-year destination for sport, music, leisure, community and culture. This iconic space, at Bramley-Moore Dock in Liverpool, brings together modern design and local heritage to create an unforgettable backdrop for events of all kinds. The venue boasts 14 new venue spaces, and 20 executive boxes, with the awards due to be hosted in their biggest suite, The Yard, and the after-party next door in Kendall’s, both located in the West Stand overlooking the spectacular Western Wharf, with the River Mersey as a backdrop.
The nationally-recognised awards celebrate and reward the efforts and dedication shown by the catering, conference and events teams at UK stadium venues, including football, rugby and cricket venues.
Key Dates
The majority of categories for 2026 will open for entry in the autumn as normal, with the closing date on 1st April 2026, allowing over 6 months for entry. The official results will be announced at the gala awards evening on Thursday 2nd July 2026. Tickets will be available to purchase later this year.
The Categories
The 2026 categories are currently being finalised, with the confirmed categories (so far) outlined below.
Above & Beyond Recognition Award
Matchday Sales & Marketing Team of the Year Award
Non-Matchday Sales & Marketing Team of the Year Award
Non-Matchday Mystery Shopper Award
Stadium Event of the Year Award
Operations Team of the Year Award
Visiting Rugby Directors Award
Visiting Football Directors Award
Matchday Hospitality Awards (Awards by Small, Medium & Large Stadiums)
Overall Matchday Hospitality Award
Independent Awards Judging
Each award category is independently judged – Stadium Experience does not judge any of the awards.
To summarise;
- The majority of awards categories (6) are decided by a Judging Panel, made up of a team of experts with many years of experience in their fields.
- The Matchday Hospitality Awards are judged by judges with 20+ experience and part of chef industry associations such as The British Culinary Federation, Craft Guild of Chefs and more.
- The Chef Team of the Year Award is organised and judged by The British Culinary Federation.
- The Non-Matchday Mystery Shopper Award is judged by Sandown Effective Sales Solutions Ltd.
- The Event Agents Choice Award is voted for by event agents.
- The Visiting Directors Awards (Rugby & Football) are voted for by stadium directors.
Collette Salmon, Chair of Stadium Experience, said: “We are delighted that our 2026 awards is one of the very first bookings confirmed in the new home of Everton Football Club. Hill Dickinson Stadium offers premium hospitality, cutting edge technology and fabulous views of both the pitch and the River Mersey. These will be the 19th annual awards organised by Stadium Experience, which continues to grow and evolve every year. We are developing plans for a very exciting evening, in which stadium teams will really be able to celebrate their achievements in style in Liverpool!”
More information is available online at – www.stadiumexperience.com/awards. Follow the latest news with #SEHA2026
Stadium Experience is also keen to explore awards sponsorship opportunities with companies who would like to get involved.
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Author: Kizzy Allott
Kizzy Allott is Publisher at Event Industry News, where she has been a driving force behind the brand for over a decade. With a deep understanding of the events sector and a passion for storytelling, Kizzy leads the platform’s commercial and content strategy, connecting the industry through news, insights, and meaningful conversations. She is dedicated to championing innovation, amplifying industry voices, and ensuring event professionals stay informed, inspired, and future-focused.
