A new sports and social venue has opened in the heart of Middlesbrough, bringing giant screens, interactive games, food and drink together under one roof.
Pitch! Sports Bar officially opened to the public on Monday 21 September, taking over a prominent site beneath the A66 opposite STACK.
The new venue has been created by Pneuma Group following a major investment in the building, with the aim of creating somewhere that works just as well for a big match as it does for a night out with friends.
At the centre of it all is a 23ft LED screen stretching across both floors. It is backed up by 27 anti-glare Sony televisions around the venue, with the technology allowing Pitch! to show up to six different sports at the same time.
More than somewhere to watch the match
Pitch! has been built as a multi-sports entertainment venue rather than simply a bar with televisions. Two multi-sports simulators, interactive darts and a pool table give visitors plenty to do before, during and after the live action.
The sports simulators turn the idea of watching into something visitors can take part in themselves, with interactive games designed for groups, friends and anyone with a competitive streak.
Interactive darts brings a digital layer to one of the pub's oldest sporting traditions.
For those who prefer something more traditional, there is also a pool table.
Food, drink and a growing leisure district
The venue's opening adds another attraction to a part of Middlesbrough town centre that has been steadily developing its leisure and hospitality offer.
Pitch! sits directly opposite STACK, creating another reason for people to head into the area for food, entertainment and nights out.
Steve Brooke, CEO of Pneuma Group, said the team wanted live sport to feel like a shared experience, with the screen technology, food, drink and interactive entertainment working together rather than feeling like separate offers.
said: “Middlesbrough already has real momentum as a leisure destination and we are proud to be investing here.”
The menu takes the familiar sports-bar route, with burgers, wings, chicken tenders, loaded nachos and sharing platters alongside salads, sides, sweets and a children's menu.
A busy opening week
The timing of the opening gives the venue an immediate chance to put all those screens to work.
Pitch! says its opening programme includes major domestic and international football, alongside England against Sri Lanka in the first One-Day International at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday 22 September.
That is followed by England against Spain in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday 26 September, while Sunday 27 September brings a packed programme of Women's Super League fixtures.
The venue says its sporting calendar is already being built well beyond opening week.
Customers can use the free Pitch! Sports Bar app to reserve seats, book activities and event tickets, and order food and drinks from the venue.
Brooke added: “We are now looking forward to opening the doors to the public and building a strong calendar of sport, events and social occasions over the coming months.”
Pitch! Sports Bar is located under the A66 opposite STACK in Middlesbrough. Bookings can be made through the Pitch! Sports Bar app or at pitchsports.bar. Customers can also contact the Middlesbrough venue on 01642 917 651 or middlesbrough@pitchsports.bar.