There has been a lot of praise for the delicacies served up on matchdays
Hull’s MKM Stadium has ranked in the top 10 of UK stadiums for food quality, according to reviews left by hungry match goers. The home of Hull City and Hull FC has placed sixth in the UK, based on analysis of Google reviews mentioning food, with 72.8 per cent positive food reviews.
The 25,586-capacity venue was widely praised for the treats served up there on matchdays, according to the analysis by ticket comparison site Seatpick.
Tigers and Black & Whites fans have been treated to a range of street food options on matchdays, including chicken katsu curry, chicken gyros and loaded fries with BBQ pulled pork. The stadium – which is owned by Hull City Council – has also offered pulled pork burgers, loaded chicken fries, southern fried chicken and a ‘guest box’.
Other fan favourites include steak and ale pie, chicken balti pie and chip spice chips. The award-winning catering team also dish up quarter-pound cheeseburgers, hot dogs and loaded nachos.
One fan took to TripAdvisor earlier this year to give their verdict on the street food treats. They said: “Save yourself for the half-time katsu chicken dish – it’s rightly an award winner so hold fire on the inferior stuff en route to the game and enjoy a tasty interval. Enjoy!”
Meanwhile, Hull KR’s home Craven Park – which is soon to host chart favourites Coldplay – has significantly expanded its matchday food and drink offer in recent years with the introduction of Craven Streat, a food and drink fan village. One fan said recently: “Very pleasant security staff and excellent fans zone. Fans appeared to mix well and the food available was varied, fresh and hot.”
It ranked 47th nationwide with 58.1 per cent positive food reviews, beating grounds such as Leeds’ Headingley Rugby Stadium – the home of the Rhinos.
The Seatpick research ranked Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough Stadium as the worst for food with only 9.6 per cent positive reviews. The 6,500-capacity home of Belfast Crusaders, Seaview, topped the tables with 81.7 per cent positive reviews.
The Meadow in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, secured the second position for food quality. The 5,000-capacity ground, which hosts Chesham United FC and Aylesbury United FC, received positive food reviews in 81 per cent of mentions.
Gilad Zilberman, CEO of SeatPick, said: “What this study provides is more of an honest look at stadium food from a fan-first perspective with some surprising results. Despite their recent success in the Premier League, the food at Nottingham Forest’s ground is littered with bad reviews, and with a mix of larger and smaller venues on the list, it shows that money and results don’t always translate into improved amenities at hosting stadiums.
“Additionally, with stadiums having a large selection of reviews mentioning food, it shows that fans are also vocal consumers who are quick to praise or criticise their experiences in the stadium on matchdays.”