The Timbers have signed a 12-year deal with Levy to be their exclusive hospitality partner for all concessions, premium seating and catering at Providence Park. Levy will take over for Centerplate, which has served in that role for the Timbers since before the club entered MLS in '11. It will handle the same duties for the NWSL Portland Thorns, which also play at the stadium. Financial details of the deal were not released. The change comes as the club is overseeing a $50M-plus, 40,000-square-foot expansion of the stadium, which has a capacity of 21,144. It will add new premium seating and club opportunities, as well as new concessions. Timbers President of Business Mike Golub said the organization is already in discussions with Levy regarding how it will position those newly created areas -- each of which will have its own distinct food and beverage selections -- as well as a high-end club on the first level. It will also invest in upgrades and enhancements to existing food and beverage areas, which will roll out for the next MLS season. Construction is expected to conclude in time for the '19 season. “We’re looking at it as a new phase for us, so we want to take this opportunity to have what we think will be a best-in-the-business food and beverage experience,” Golub said. Levy COO & Exec VP Tom Funk said Levy will look to accentuate the local food scene, which has garnered Portland national attention in recent years. The list of new food offerings for next season is still being developed. Levy will also help to introduce technology to streamline payments and transactions. Levy handles dining and hospitality for several MLS clubs and their stadiums, including BBVA Compass Stadium (Dynamo), Mapfre Stadium (Crew), Rio Tinto Stadium (Real Salt Lake), Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta United) and the forthcoming Audi Field (DC United).
