Forget the football. For clubs in Europe’s elite competition, the Champions League experience often begins far from the pitch — in some of the continent’s most prestigious restaurants. These pre-match meals, attended by owners, directors, and high-profile guests, are more than just gastronomic indulgence. They serve as a stage for political manoeuvring, business discussions, and cultural diplomacy — but they can also lead to awkward missteps.

Here’s a closer look at this lesser-known ritual and its role in the spectacle of the Champions League.

Take Zalacaín, a fine-dining restaurant in Madrid, for example. Just two kilometres from the Santiago Bernabéu, it’s a favourite spot for Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez to host visiting executives. When Manchester City came to town in April 2024, the meal wasn’t just a private affair — Real Madrid even promoted it on their social media channels.

For some clubs, these meals are about asserting their identity. Real’s use of such public settings contrasts with the more private approach seen elsewhere. For example, Aston Villa prefer to host visiting dignitaries at Villa Park rather than in Birmingham’s restaurants, blending tradition with discretion.

These meals can also make headlines. In 2023, when Chelsea played Real Madrid, then-co-owner Todd Boehly predicted a 3-0 Chelsea win after the pre-match meal — a bold claim that backfired when his team lost both legs of the tie 2-0. The comments intensified scrutiny of Boehly’s stewardship during a difficult season for the London club.

Pre-match meals can reflect the broader relationships between clubs. Tensions often simmer beneath the surface, as evidenced in 2022 when Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain clashed over Kylian Mbappé’s transfer saga and the European Super League. A meal that was rescheduled by PSG, combined with Real president Pérez arriving late, led to frosty relations and a hurried meal at Paris’ Michelin-starred Pavyllon.

While hostilities may dominate some meetings, others aim to foster camaraderie. When PSG visited Newcastle United last season, club president Nasser Al Khelaifi sought to respect Newcastle’s heritage by involving local legends like Alan Shearer and David Ginola. Al Khelaifi even visited the statue of Sir Bobby Robson as a gesture of goodwill.

However, this spirit of diplomacy isn’t always reciprocated. During Olympiacos’ hosting of Manchester United in the early 2000s, the Greek club organised an extravagant seafood feast aboard a yacht in Piraeus harbour. None of United’s directors showed up, leaving a local journalist to awkwardly impersonate a United official during the meal.

These meals aren’t just about courtesy; they can also lead to unexpected alliances or tense exchanges. Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness recalls a pre-match meal with Villarreal in 2005, during which emotions flared after a controversial refereeing decision. “We couldn’t even go back to the boardroom after the match,” Wyness said, describing the atmosphere as “hostile.”

On other occasions, meals have served as informal negotiating tables. Wyness recalls discussing Dutch winger Andy van der Meyde during a UEFA draw in Monaco, a conversation that eventually led to the player joining Everton — although his time at the club is remembered for the wrong reasons.

Some clubs go to great lengths to impress their guests. When Fulham faced Wolfsburg in the 2010 Europa League, they invited Volkswagen executives to meet actor Hugh Grant, a Fulham fan. Wolfsburg returned the favour before the second leg, taking Fulham’s directors to a secluded test track where they could drive luxury cars, from Lamborghinis to Bugattis.

However, not every club takes such a polished approach. Manchester United’s response to Nantes’ lavish chateau reception in 2002 was a meal at a Harry Ramsden’s fish-and-chip shop on a Salford dual carriageway — a stark contrast that underscored the cultural differences between the clubs.

As football evolves, the tradition of pre-match meals is also shifting. With many club owners based abroad, these gatherings are now more likely to feature executives than high-profile decision-makers. This could have long-term implications for relationships between clubs, as the informal connections formed over dinner are harder to cultivate when key figures are absent.

Yet, for some, the tradition remains a highlight of the Champions League experience. Wyness fondly recalls a trip to Moldova with Aberdeen, where local directors insisted on sampling six glasses of wine before breaking into song. “We sang The Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen,” he reminisced. “It was so bizarre but so memorable.”

These meals, often overlooked amid the glitz of Champions League fixtures, are about more than just food. They offer a window into the relationships, rivalries, and rituals that underpin European football’s most prestigious competition.

From Michelin-starred venues to makeshift gestures of goodwill, these moments of culinary diplomacy help to weave the fabric of the modern game. And while the outcomes on the pitch may dominate the headlines, what happens around the dining table is often just as revealing.