Centerplate, Stamford, Conn.; Ball Corp., Broomfield, Colo.; and Bud Light, a brand of St. Louis-based Anheuser Busch, announced an agreement to bring Ball's infinitely recyclable aluminum cups to guests at Super Bowl LIV on Feb. 2 between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
Ball designed the lightweight aluminum cups in response to growing consumer preference for more sustainable products, it says. Centerplate, the exclusive catering partner for Hard Rock Stadium, is adopting the cups as part of the company's Better Tomorrow 2025 goals and to help further the venue's broader mission to phase out 99.4 percent of single-use plastics this year. As the NFL's official beer and the presenting sponsor of the Super Bowl LIV cups, Bud Light also is doing its part to make a Better World and support Anheuser-Busch's 2025 sustainability goals. As a result, the aluminum cups will help eliminate more than 500,000 plastic cups annually from Hard Rock Stadium's supply chain, according to the companies.
"We're proud to team up with Centerplate and Bud Light to bring fans at Hard Rock Stadium improved, sustainable hospitality with our game-changing and infinitely recyclable aluminum cup," said John A. Hayes, Ball's chairman, president and chief executive officer, in a statement. "We developed the aluminum cup to ensure it meets growing demand for more green products, and we're excited that our partnership will give this year's Super Bowl fans the opportunity to do better by the environment."
Adam Warrington, vice president of Better World at Anheuser-Busch added: "We're excited to be working with likeminded partners to put sustainable solutions in the hands of football fans on this amazing stage. Bud Light has a storied history of celebrating NFL moments and we hope this will be the first of many occasions they can enjoy it from an infinitely recyclable cup."
During the Super Bowl, 50,000 of the 20-ounce cups will be available in the clubs, suites and general concourse areas of the stadium. After the game, the cups will continue to be available at Hard Rock Stadium throughout the year for Miami Dolphins games, University of Miami college football games, international soccer matches, concerts and all other events that take place at the global entertainment destination.
"We are always striving to be leaders in providing innovative solutions for our clients and guests, especially in support of our mission, vision and values," Centerplate Chief Executive Officer Steve Pangburn said. "This is another example of a forward-looking enhancement that will help us reduce our environmental impact in the months and years ahead, not only in Miami, but in support of our global mission to make it better to be there in the communities which we serve."
