A Guide to Sporting Hospitality Layout, Furniture & Engagement
Score big this year: Why you need to gear up for seasonal sport
From football to Formula 1, rugby to racing, 2026 is a year packed with spectacular sporting events that could be a game-changer for your business. But are you ready to capitalise on this golden opportunity?
Simply showing the coverage isn’t enough. At Eclipse Furniture, we understand that creating the right atmosphere with perfectly chosen commercial furniture is crucial in attracting and retaining sports-loving customers. As the fixture calendar heats up, your venue needs to be more than just a place to grab a pint. It needs to be the ultimate destination for fans to soak up the action, celebrate victories, and commiserate over near misses.
Invest Once, Benefit All Year
Beyond the immediate opportunity of 2026’s sporting calendar, investing in commercial-grade furniture secures long-term profitability. Unlike budget options, high-quality pieces withstand heavy use and offer a much stronger return on investment over time.
• Durability: Unlike products designed for domestic environments, commercial furniture withstands heavy use and enthusiastic celebrations.
• Versatility: Modular layouts allow you to transition from a high-energy ‘fan zone’ to a formal restaurant setting in a matter of minutes.
• Customer Retention: Comfortable, ergonomic seating keeps guests in their seats for the full game and through post-match celebrations.
2026’s Sporting Event Calendar
| Date | Sporting Event |
| 5 February – 14 March | Six Nations Rugby |
| 6 February – 22 February | Olympic Winter Games |
| 8 February | Super Bowl LXI |
| 10 March – 13 March | Cheltenham Festival |
| 11 April | The Grand National |
| May TBC | FA Cup Final |
| 30 May | Champions League Final |
| 11 June – 19 July | FIFA World Cup |
| 29 June – 12 July | Wimbledon |
| 23 July – 2 August | Commonwealth Games |
| July TBC | British Grand Prix (Silverstone) |
| November | Autumn Nation Series |
Indoor Strategy: The ‘Stadium Seating’ Approach
To capture the crowd, it’s important to prioritise a perfect line-of-sight for every guest.
• Layer your heights: To ensure that every guest has a clear view of the screen, use a ‘stadium seating’ approach. Place low tables and chairs closest to the screens, with mid-height tables behind them, and high poseur tables with bar stools at the back.
• Eliminate wobbles: There's nothing worse than wobbly tables when you're trying to cheer on your favourite team. Use self-stabilising FLAT Table Bases to ensure no pints are spilled when the whistle blows.
• Maximise flexibility: Match days can be unpredictable. Choose lightweight, stackable chairs and square tables that can be easily pushed together for large groups.
Pro tip: The most successful venues are those that can transform rapidly. A modular layout is key to moving from a high dwell ‘viewing zone’ back to a standard service model. Invest in furniture that is lightweight and stackable to make the transition seamless.
Are you prepared?
q Can every seat in your venue see the main screen clearly?
q Do you have a mix of dining furniture for pre-game meals and bar stools for ‘just a pint’ fans?
q Is your furniture ‘match day’ ready – is it durable enough for spilled drinks and celebrations?
Outdoor Strategy: Optimising the ‘Fan Zone’
The British public love to sit outside as soon as the weather allows, so make sure that your outdoor furniture is up to scratch and you’ve got enough seating for everyone.
• Materials matters: Wooden furniture stays warm to the touch, while polypropylene is UV-resistant, and can be wiped dry seconds after a rain shower.
• Shelter and heat: Use ‘jumbrellas’ (large commercial parasols) with optional infrared heaters, lighting and sound systems to increase capacity during cooler months.
• Stability: Use heavy-weight table bases, like Bison or Anzio, to prevent tables from being knocked over in high-energy crowds. Pair these with UV-resistant Extrema tops that won't fade under the glare of summer sun or be damaged by outdoor heaters.
• Low maintenance: Polypropylene chairs from Siesta are stylish yet tough and durable. All they need is a quick wipe down to keep them looking as good as new, plus they’re stackable, meaning they’re easy to move and store.
Pro tip: You can customise any of our Siesta polypropylene furniture. With options including matching the products to your exact brand RAL colour or adding your logo or badge to chairs or tables, you can elevate your space and create an area that’s not only functional – but unmistakably yours. Find out more about how to customise Siesta furniture.
Pro tip: Don’t view buying outdoor furniture as single-event purchases. Investing in high-quality commercial chairs and table designed for outside use means that they will last during the World Cup and beyond. Ergonomic seating will keep guests comfortable, leading to increased dwell time and higher spend per head.
Are you prepared?
q Is your outdoor furniture UV-resistant to prevent fading in the summer sun?
q Do you have enough stackable seating that can be quickly moved and easily stored?
q Have you considered infrared lighting and heating to keep fans outside after sunset?
Our premier indoor furniture picks:
We’ve selected these pieces for their ability to handle high-traffic match days while maintaining a professional dining atmosphere…
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The Tavo Collection |
Sheldon Bar Stools Perfect for high-density viewing areas as they take up less room. |
FLAT Table Bases |
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Our award-worthy outdoor furniture picks:
Designed to be weather-resistant and east to maintain, these picks ensure your outdoor space remains profitable whatever the weather...
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The Air Collection |
Alaska Benches & Tables |
Jumbrellas |
The Countdown to Kick-Off: Timing your Order
Don’t wait for the first whistle to realise you’re short on seating. Here’s a useful timeline…
| Timeline | Action |
| 3-4 Months Out | Strategic Planning: Audit your current capacity to decide what furniture you need. Order ‘jumbrellas’ or custom furniture with longer lead-times to ensure delivery before the Six Nations or World Cup. |
| 1-2 Months Out | The ‘Top Up’: Order stackable chairs, like the Siesta range, and replacement table tops to maximise every square inch of floor space. |
| Last Minute | Maintenance: Conduct a ‘wobble check’. You can retrofit existing table with FLAT technology and ensure all surfaces are wiped and ready. |
Don't miss the kick-off!
Now is the time to ensure your venue is fully equipped to make the most of the fast-approaching year of sport! At Eclipse Furniture, we offer a wide range of high-quality, commercial-grade furniture designed specifically for the demands of the hospitality industry. Contact us today on 01452 336 520 or email sales@eclipsefurniture.co.uk for a complimentary consultation and let us help you choose the winning furniture line-up for your business.
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