Assess the pitch before you apply
A crowd watching football can buy quickly, in bursts, and with a clear expectation: fast, filling food that is easy to eat while standing or sitting. Before applying for any screening site, ask the organiser for the practical details:
- Expected capacity, ticketing approach and likely dwell time
- Trading hours, load-in times and pack-down rules
- Pitch fee, commission, deposit and payment terms
- Power, water, waste disposal, lighting and cover
- Whether drinks, desserts or certain food categories are restricted
- Number of traders and any cuisine exclusivity
- Rules on signage, music, generators and gas
- Access for vehicles, stock drops and emergency routes
Do not assume a busy event means a profitable one. Work out the cost of the pitch, staffing, prep, travel, stock, packaging and wastage before you say yes.
Build a match-day menu that moves quickly
Football screenings create sharp sales peaks: before kick-off, at half-time and immediately after the final whistle. Your menu should be built for speed, not complexity.
Consider:
- A short menu with a few high-margin core items
- Food that can be held safely and finished quickly
- Handheld or bowl-based dishes that are easy to eat in a crowd
- Clear vegetarian, vegan and allergen-aware options
- Simple upgrades such as extra toppings, sides or meal deals
- A visible menu board with prices customers can read from the queue
Avoid dishes that need long explanations, delicate plating or slow final cooking. If you want to offer something special, make it a limited match-day item that uses ingredients already in your prep plan.
Plan for queues, weather and surges
A fanzone can go from quiet to slammed in minutes. Set your stall up so customers can see where to order, where to collect and how to move away without blocking the next sale.
Useful operational checks include:
- Separate ordering and collection points where space allows
- Enough staff for the busiest 30-minute windows
- A prep list based on match timings, not just opening hours
- Weather protection for staff, stock and service areas
- Backup lighting for evening fixtures
- Spare gas, charged payment devices and contingency stock
- A clear plan for rubbish, used oil and wastewater
If the site is family-friendly, think about milder options, smaller portions and clear pricing. If the audience is likely to stay for several hours, sides and repeat-purchase items can help increase spend.
Keep compliance tight
Event organisers will usually ask for documents before confirming a pitch. Keep these ready and up to date:
- Food business registration with your local council
- Food hygiene rating information where applicable
- Food safety management system and temperature records
- Public liability insurance
- Gas safety certificate, electrical checks and risk assessments
- Allergen matrix and ingredient information
- Fire safety equipment and staff training records
The FSA food safety management guidance is a useful reference. If alcohol, late-night refreshment or regulated entertainment is involved, confirm whether the organiser or trader is responsible for permissions such as a temporary event notice.
Promote without relying on the organiser
Once confirmed, tell your existing customers where you will be trading, what you are serving and when you will be open. Keep posts practical: location, opening times, menu highlights and any sell-out warnings.
On the day, strong stall presentation matters. Clean signage, confident staff, visible food and a fast-moving queue all help convert passing footfall into sales.
Decide whether it is worth it
Before committing, run a simple forecast:
Expected transactions × average spend − pitch costs − food costs − labour − travel − packaging = estimated event margin
If the numbers only work at maximum footfall, be cautious. The best football fanzone pitches are not just busy — they are well organised, fairly costed and suited to the way your food is cooked, served and enjoyed.