Exclusive – Lord’s ends four-year beer partnership with BrewDog after 14 months: Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has ended its beer partnership with Scottish brewer and retailer BrewDog 14 months into the four-year deal, Propel has learned. The agreement, which began in January 2025, was BrewDog’s first entry into sports arenas, and saw Lord’s become the first sports venue in the UK to hand over its taps to a craft beer brand, as well as being the only to pour 100% British beer. The deal incorporated a comprehensive range of BrewDog beer and saw more than 450 draught taps pouring its brands. With a capacity of 31,000 and nearly 60 days of cricket, Lord’s serves around 750,000 pints, across the year. The partnership also featured a summer takeover of the Food Village Upper Deck, transforming it into a “craft beer haven”, which BrewDog claimed would be “biggest and best craft beer bar in UK sport”. At the time of the announcement, then BrewDog chief executive James Arrow said the agreement was “one of the most monumental achievements we could ever hope for our business”. But in an email sent to members, seen by Propel, the MCC revealed the contract had been ended. The email stated: “Following recent changes to the brewery’s business operations, the club believes this is the right step to ensure certainty and continuity ahead of the 2026 season. A competitive tender process to appoint a new supplier for the coming season and beyond will now begin. I would like to assure you that steps have been taken to ensure there will be no disruption to service at the ground as we prepare for the 2026 season, and members will be updated once the tender process has ended. I should also confirm that we do not expect any changes to our ongoing relationships with Adnams and Thornbridge, who provide real ale options around the ground, including in the pavilion. We are proud that 2025 saw record beer sales at Lord’s, reflecting a strong first year of the partnership. However, our priority is to guarantee the high-quality matchday experience that members and visitors rightly expect; to do this, we need certainty from our suppliers. We thank BrewDog for its contribution over the past year.” Last week, US firm Tilray acquired BrewDog’s worldwide intellectual property, UK brewing operations and a portfolio of 11 “premier and profitable brewpubs” for £33m, but 38 UK bars closed with immediate effect, with the loss of 484 jobs. Tilray has since also completed the acquisition of the Scottish brewer and retailer’s Australian business. The deal includes BrewDog’s Australian brewing and production facility in Brisbane, Queensland, along with a portfolio of owned and franchised BrewDog bars across Australia. Tilray is also in talks to acquire BrewDog’s US operations. BrewDog took over the beer partnership from Marston’s, which had held the sponsorship and supply partnership with the MCC since 2008. BrewDog features in the Who’s Who of UK Hospitality, which is one of six databases exclusive to Premium Club subscribers. The latest edition features 1,430 companies. The companies, listed in alphabetical order, have their most recent developments reported as well as broader information around Ebitda, plans and trading style available. The database merges Companies House information, interviews and other public information to provide an easy to reference and exhaustive guide to the sector. A Premium Club subscription costs an annual sum of £495 plus VAT for operators and £595 plus VAT for suppliers. Companies can now have an unlimited number of people receive access to Premium Club for a year for £995 plus VAT – whether they are an operator or supplier. Email kai.kirkman@propelinfo.com today to sign up.