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The double life of our sporting venues
Sports are an integral part of UK culture, from football and rugby to cricket and horse racing. British fans are renowned for their passion and loyalty across a wide range of sports, creating a vibrant and diverse sporting scene.
The UK is home to some of the most iconic sporting venues in the world—Silverstone, Lord’s, Old Trafford, Aintree, and many more. These venues are more than just places to watch sport; they are cultural landmarks deeply embedded in their communities and rich with history and tradition.
But many of these venues lead a double life. On days when they’re not buzzing with sporting action, they transform into exceptional spaces for corporate functions. By opening their doors to the meetings and events market, sporting venues are diversifying their revenue streams while offering planners a unique and memorable setting.
Why choose a sporting venue?
Sporting venues for meetings and events offer incredible versatility. These spaces are designed to handle crowds, logistics, and top-tier hospitality, making them ideal for everything from board meetings and product launches to conferences and gala dinners.
Equipped with state-of-the-art AV technology, flexible layouts, and professional event teams, many sporting venues rival purpose-built conference centres. Their built-in infrastructure and experience hosting large-scale events means planners can count on efficiency and expertise.
They’re also conveniently located, often with excellent transport links and ample parking, plus strong relationships with nearby hotels, making logistics smooth for delegates and organisers alike.
But perhaps the most compelling reason? The atmosphere. Hosting an event in a legendary venue where sporting history has been made adds a special touch that’s hard to replicate. Whether it’s walking through a players’ tunnel, holding a reception pitch-side, or enjoying dinner overlooking a racetrack, the setting itself becomes part of the experience.
A sporting venue can also enhance your event’s brand perception. The association with a well-known, aspirational location boosts prestige and can drive higher attendance thanks to the venue’s built-in wow factor.
Many venues also offer added engagement opportunities, such as behind-the-scenes tours, meet-and-greets with athletes, or themed team-building activities. This makes your event not just functional, but unforgettable.
With that in mind, the team have picked out some of their top picks sporting venues for meetings and events.
Our Team’s Top Picks
Silverstone
Silverstone is a 600-acre site and hugely flexible exhibition halls and meeting spaces make it an ideal place to host conferences, dinners and exhibitions of all shapes and sizes. With a capacity to host events from 10 to 4000 people, the team at Silverstone has the space, the team and the know-how to help you bring your story to life.
Erin
The City Ground
On the banks of the River Trent you’ll find the world famous City Ground, home to Nottingham Forest FC. New additions to the event space offerings include The Garibaldi Lounge, and the Museum, as well as the Forest FanZone for social gatherings and summer parties. A short stroll from the train station, and with onsite parking, the location is easy and accessible to Nottingham’s hotels for overnight stays also.
Kirsty
Peterborough United Football Club
From small meeting rooms with pitch views to large conference suites that can host up to 200 delegates , Peterborough United Football Club caters to a variety of Meetings and events. The Head Chef and their expert team use locally sourced ingredients, providing a range of catering options to fit your requirements.
Ellie
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
34 impressive event suites of varying sizes and over 150 pitch-facing executive boxes, ideal for hosting an endless variety of events such as pitch-side barbecues and team building activities to large conferences. Allianz Stadium is one of the most popular exhibition centres within the M25, supported by first class staff, AV technology and amenities.
Cat
Ascot Racecourse
From the most intimate of gatherings to the largest of celebrations, make every event one to remember at Ascot. Offering 300 stunning indoor and outdoor event spaces set over 170 acres of beautiful parkland Ascot is unique and stunning Venue.
Felicity
Cadwell Park
Last year, I had a chance to take a trip here to watch some racing. It’s a great location, beautiful views in and outside of the venue, and for the racing fans, it has some spectacular corners and sections of the circuit, not least ‘The Mountain’. I highly advise you take a look at some clips on YouTube! Known as the location of the ‘Party in the Park’ during the British Superbikes calendar, and it is always one that fans flock to!
Jack
Heart of Midlothian Football Club
Tynecastle Park, home to the Heart of Midlothian Football Club, offers more than just a standard event space that you find at a stadium – why not host a private dinner in the home teams changing room, team building on the community pitch, or a drinks reception in the Heart of Midlothian museum? Not only do they offer functional meeting spaces and suites, but the Tynecastle Park Hotel offers 25 bedrooms as the first club-owned and operated hotel in the UK located within a football stadium.
Kirsty
The Kia Oval
Hosting events and meetings for 10 – 1500 guests! The meeting spaces at The Kia Oval include a Rooftop Bar, roof terrace overlooking the grounds and The Long Room, built in 1898. There is something to suite every event type
Ellie
Manchester City Football Club
Just minutes from Manchester city centre with excellent transport links, it’s perfect for everything from round table meetings to conferences. Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium is a standout venue, offering world-class facilities, stunning event spaces, and top-tier hospitality in a unique football setting
Erin
Lord’s Cricket Ground
The most famous cricket ground in the world, Lord’s is steeped in history and charm. From the old-world elegance of the Grade II*-listed Pavilion to the cutting-edge modernity of the J.P. Morgan Media Centre, alongside award-winning in-house catering and a central location only one stop from Baker Street, the Home of Cricket is an exceptional venue to host your event.
Cat
The Belfry Hotel and Resort
Having hosted the Ryder cup, The Belfry Hotel offers an unparalleled blend of sophistication and functionality. In addition to the meeting and event rooms they also offer outdoor spaces, Terrace on the 10th and The Green, ideal for team building activities, BBQs and receptions.
Felicity
Donington Park
Great venues, fantastic links to the airport directly next door, great road connections. Beautiful area and close to Castle Donington as well. Don’t camp here though! Planes start to take off around 3am! For corporate days – combine business with pleasure by enhancing your conference with an extensive range of driving experiences available to give your guests a truly unforgettable day.
Jack
Ready to discover the best Sporting Venues for meetings and events?
Whether you’re planning a conference, workshop, training day, or team away day, don’t overlook the potential of sporting venues. With spaces to suit every style and size of meeting, supported by expert events teams and top-tier facilities, they’re a compelling option for any organiser.
Start planning today see the amazing venues available through EDGE.
Register today for free access, or contact Kirsty or Erin to see how our platform can help your agency or business.
