Pollstar names winners of 2026 Excellence in Concessions Awards

Pollstar published its 2026 Excellence in Concessions Awards on Sept. 2, recognizing food, beverage and hospitality programs at concert and sports venues across the country. The winners were selected by Pollstar's editorial staff with input from the industry, according to Pollstar.

How the winners were selected

According to Pollstar, the awards highlight hospitality projects that span the live entertainment business, from stadium concessions to venue-specific bar and lounge spaces. Honda Center in Anaheim, California, won Best New Technology for its Draft Picks Perfect Pour installation, part of a broader renovation project at the arena described by Pollstar. The Vinyl Room at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles won Best New/Refurbished Space in Food & Drink.

Yankee Stadium's Mini Dessert 'Chicken' Bucket won Best New Menu Item, and T-Mobile Park's 'SEAcret Door' concept won Best New Concept in Food & Drink, per Pollstar.

Signature drinks, sustainability and special events

The First Serve Cocktail at Credit One Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina, won Best Signature Drink. Pollstar reported the drink, themed to the Credit One Charleston Open tennis tournament, sold more than 25,000 units over nine days at the venue.

Kaseya Center in Miami won Best Sustainability Initiative for its Rescue a Reef program, which Pollstar said has reduced waste at the venue. Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle won Best Special Event Food & Beverage Program for its BodeGAGA Experience, a New York bodega-inspired takeover themed around Lady Gaga. Pollstar described the concept as designed to make the Manhattan-born artist feel at home and connect with her fan base at the arena; Pollstar did not report any link to a specific tour date. Live Nation's Shaker Cup Cocktail Koozie won Best New Retail Item, and Merriweather Post Pavilion's Kirk's Summer Sundae, named for WME music head Kirk Sommer, received Pollstar's Editor's Choice award.

Context on the awards

Pollstar has run the Excellence in Concessions Awards annually, a program that originated with VenuesNow before that publication's brand merged into Pollstar in January 2025. The full list of category winners and related coverage is published on Pollstar's website.