Author: Duncan Hughes

Olympic Games Paris 2024 Engage Rundown: Key Dates

Posted on by Duncan Hughes

Friday 26th July marks the start of the Olympic Games. Paris 2024 is finally upon us as athletes from all over the world will arrive in the French Capital with hopes and dreams of becoming the newest hero for their countries. Gold medals will be won and world records will fall, but who will come out on top in Paris and which events should you look out for? Here at Engage we take a look at all of the key dates to prepare for Paris 2024.

From the 26th July-11th August over 10,000 athletes and millions more fans will journey to Paris for the most famous sporting event in the world. 206 nations, 32 sports and 329 medals; who will make history and who will walk away disappointed? We have broken down some of the best events Engage offer hospitality for, so you don’t miss any of the action.

Opening Ceremony

Perhaps one of the most iconic scenes of the Olympic Games, the opening ceremony will take place on the 26th July, in particularly unique circumstances. For the first time in Olympic Summer Games history the opening ceremony will take place outside of a stadium and will be held on the River Seine. That’s right, the wire that runs through The City of Light will carry boats delegated for each nation, parading athletes along the famous river.

Millions are expected to spectate this one-of-a-kind ceremony and line the banks of the Seine. Do you want to wish the athletes a ‘bonne chance’? You can be there to do it in person. Be part of history with Engage Hospitality and check out their offers to watch this unique ceremony from the best seats in the house!

Olympic Games Paris 2024

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Swimming

The 27th July marks day 1, and it sees Adam Peaty begin his Olympic campaign as he looks to defend his title for the third consecutive year. Peaty will be eager to qualify through his 100m breaststroke heats and semi-final before advancing to the final on day 2.

The big race for Team GB swimming fans will come on day 4 as Team GB’s men go in the 4x200m freestyle relay. After silver in Rio and gold in Tokyo, the men will be hoping to defend their title in 2024 in a team consisting of big names including James Guy, Duncan Scott and Tom Dean.

For the women, Freya Colbert could be a medal favourite on day 3. The 20 year-old has already picked up world 400m medley gold and will be looking to repeat this feat in Paris. Meanwhile, the mixed 4x100m medley team will have to wait until day 8 to defend their Tokyo title.

Athletics

A whole host of promise awaits Team GB’s Athletics team as many of the Brits travel in the hope of a medal. The most sought after tickets will be for the evening session on day 9, with the men’s 100m final taking place. Millions all over the world will tune in to see who will be crowned current fastest man in the world, with Kishane Thompson and Noah Lyles labelled as the favourites.

Engage are also offering hospitality for day 13, 14 and 15. Day 13 sees the 200m final also with Noah Lyles featuring alongside Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes.

Day 14 sees the heptathlon final as Katarina Johnson Thompson hopes to challenge for the medals while the British 4x100m relay teams will hope to replicate success from previous championships.

Day 15 is a day of finals including the men’s 5000m final, men’s high jump final, men’s 800m final and the women’s 1500m final. Georgia Bell in the 1500 and Ben Pattison in the 800 will be amongst the medal hopes after their astonishing performances so far this season.

Tennis

Missed the chance to watch Wimbledon with us? Don’t worry, get yourself across to Roland Garros to watch the Olympic Tennis with Engage Hospitality. Offering hospitality for all four finals and more, Engage give you the opportunity to watch some of the best in action including Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff. Watch your favourites take centre stage, from the best seats in the house with the finals taking place on the 3rd and 4th August.

The Great British team ventures to Paris with 39 world champions in their ranks. Here at Engage, find out if Max Whitlock can achieve Pommel Horse gold once again in gymnastics or if Team GB’s track cycling team can keep up their success from previous years. Can Team GB improve on their 64 medals at Tokyo 2020? With plenty of events on offer, which will you choose to watch with Engage Hospitality between the 26th July and the 11th August?

Euro 2024 Review: Spain Reign Supreme

Posted on by Duncan Hughes

It was heartbreak once again for England fans after their second consecutive defeat in a European Final. Italy were victorious over England in 2021 but it was Spain this time who pierced a dagger through English hearts late in the game to become Euro 2024 Champions. It was a tournament that witnessed scintillating football and an astonishing amount of wonder goals keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very end. Here at Engage we break down the tournament, picking out some of the key players and performances.

La Roja Victoriosa

After a 12 year trophy drought, and what some would say was a transition period, Spain are Kings of Europe once again. This team of exciting young talent battled their way to victory flawlessly winning all seven of their games throughout the tournament beating Germany, Italy and France along the way.

On Sunday, it was only England who stood in their way, as Europe settled down to witness the battle commence. In what was a cagey first half, both sides were level at the break. But it was Spain who had the better of the half-time team talks as Luis de la Fuente’s men came out firing. Breaking the deadlock in the 47th minute courtesy of a sublime Nico Williams finish, England had work to do. Spain came close numerous times in the moments that followed, however, it was Gareth Southgate’s England who hit back when substitute Cole Palmer fired home with just over 15 minutes to play.

With the game heading for extra time, the Spaniards had other plans, as Mikel Oyarzabal slotted home in the 86th minute to shatter English hearts. Agony for England, delirium for Spain as La Roja were crowned champions of Europe once again.

Star Players

Across the course of the tournament, there were some incredible performances not only for teams but also individuals. For much of the tournament it was the Spanish side with individuals making a name for themselves. Lamine Yamal in particular, who turned 17 years old one day before the final, is a name that will be on the radar of many of Europe’s top clubs. The talented winger made history becoming the youngest player to appear at a European tournament at 16 years and 338 days old. He was also the youngest player to score in a European tournament with his wonder strike in the semi-final against France. Not to mention, his brilliant performances and four assists, he was key to Spain’s success.

On the other side of the pitch for Spain, Nico Williams also impressed throughout the tournament playing a key role in the final, scoring and assisting both goals. Williams, Yamal, the Spanish midfield and Marc Cucurella were also included in the Team of the Tournament further crediting their influence on their team’s victory.

Elsewhere, Liverpool striker Cody Gakpo impressed, scoring 3 goals helping The Netherlands to the last four before being eliminated by England. Germany and Bayern Munich midfielder, Jamal Musiala, was on form as well, scoring 3 goals in five making his way into the Team of the Tournament.

Dark Horses

Just as there were players who left their mark on the rest of Europe, some sides raised a few eyebrows, advancing further in the tournament than first thought. Denmark were desperately unlucky as they were knocked out in the Round of 16. After believing they had opened the scoring against Germany, which was ruled out by VAR, Germany were then awarded a controversial penalty to break the deadlock 2 minutes later. This was before Musiala added a second to seal Denmark’s fate.

In their first appearance at the tournament, Georgia surprised a few people by progressing to the Round of 16 after a shock victory over Portugal, as Georges Mikautadze and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia provided the goals. In their debut tournament, they recorded five goals, also opening the scoring against Spain in the Round of 16 before being knocked out by the eventual champions.

After an extremely disappointing Euro 2020 losing all of their group games, Turkey were back and eager to make amends in 2024. They did so by winning two of their group games to qualify for the last 16 where they beat Austria. Vincenzo Montella’s side scored first in the quarter final before they were beaten by the Netherlands to end their semi-final dreams, recording their best finish since EURO 2008.

So another thrilling tournament has passed us by, who were you surprised by? How do you think the 2026 World Cup will play out now? With international football all year round and domestic football just around the corner, check out Engage Hospitality’s fantastic offers to watch every kick of the season from the best seats in the house.

NFL London Moments

Posted on by Duncan Hughes

February saw the finale of the 2024 NFL season as the Chiefs won the Superbowl in a thrilling climax. The Chiefs narrowly beat the 49ers 25 points to 22 defending their 2023 Superbowl title. The Chiefs’ victory made them the first team to win consecutive Superbowl titles since the New England Patriots in 2005. After an exciting 2024, the 2025 campaign is not too far away with preseason just on the horizon. We take a look at some of NFL London’s best moments!

NFL London is a series of American football games during the regular NFL season taking place in London as part of a NFL International Series. Teams from the US travel to England to play in front of thousands at stadiums across London. Since NFL London’s inception in 2007, it has seen some of the best American football teams of all time with games usually played at Wembley Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Here at Engage we take a look back on the Top 5 NFL London moments ever so you can get a taste of what to expect this year!

NFL Hospitality

Top 5 NFL London Moments

1)    NFL London’s First Game: New York Giants vs Miami Dolphins. On the 28th October 2007, the Giants and the Dolphins walked out in front of 81,000 people at Wembley Stadium for the first ever game of the NFL International Series announcing NFL as a worldwide sport. It was the Giants that triumphed in the first ever game in the capital overcoming the Dolphins 13-10. Not only was it the first ever win in NFL London, but it also paved the way for the Giants to ultimately win the Superbowl later that season. It was a pivotal game that set the groundwork for the NFL to go global.

2)    The Jaguars mascot bungee jump. Over the years, the thrills, as far as the Jaguars are concerned, have not just been on the pitch. The daredevil mascot, Jaxson de Ville, often bungee-jumps from the roof of the stadium towards the pitch below before the match. Jaxson loves to risk it all to ‘wow’ the crowds with thousands witnessing his plunge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium. Check out the Jaguars in action this year with Engage Hospitality.

3)    The Lions’ unthinkable comeback. Back in 2014, the Detroit Lions faced The Atlanta Falcons at Wembley Stadium. After starting the season with 5 wins and 2 defeats, the Lions went into this one confident. With that said, things were looking bleak for the Detroit side at the end of the 2nd quarter, finding themselves 21-0 down. However, two Matthew Stafford touchdowns and a Matt Prater field goal turned the game on its head as the Lions won an incredible game 22-21. A historic game leading to the Lions making the playoffs at the end of the season.

4)    Wil Lutz ‘Double Doink’. In 2022, London was treated to a thrilling spectacle as the Minnesota Vikings took on the New Orleans Saints. The Vikings won the battle 28-25 in what was an incredible climax. 23 points were scored in the final quarter between both sides as the teams jostled for the lead. Saints lost the game in dramatic fashion as Wil Lutz kicked for home in the dying embers of the match from 61 yards. He was denied only by a ‘double-doink’, as the ball bounced off both the upright and the crossbar resulting in defeat for the Saints.

5)    Landon Collins’ pick-six. The final greatest moment of our NFL London list came back in 2016 with Landon Collins’ incredible ‘pick-six’ for the New York Giants against the Los Angeles Rams. Rather fittingly, Collins’ touchdown came at Twickenham, the home of England Rugby, as the Giants man returned an interception from 44 yards, weaving in and out of the Rams’ tackles. The play was not dissimilar to a rugby play, running from the defensive line to gain 6 points for his team, with many describing it as the best ‘pick-six’ they’d ever seen.

This year fans can expect to watch their favourite teams in the capital including 9-time Superbowl winners, the Chicago Bears as well as the New England Patriots in October 2024. The Minnesota Vikings will also be in action once again as will the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Do you want to see Jaxson de Ville bungee jump from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium once again? Or witness another thrilling encounter involving the Minnesota Vikings? Not to mention seeing some of the best players in the world. Check out Engage Hospitality’s range of options to watch NFL London in either Wembley Stadium or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 

Summer Festivals and Concerts

Posted on by Duncan Hughes

The start of July marks the halfway point of summer. With an incredible summer of sport and entertainment on offer, don’t forget it’s also festival season! For many it’s the best time of the year, as music-lovers flock to concerts and festivals across the UK and Ireland, taking in the warm rays of sunshine and dancing until the sun goes down. Why not enjoy the music scene with us at Engage Hospitality and relish the summer vibes from the best seats in the house?

After another exceptional Glastobury weekend, we can’t help but get excited about what the rest of the summer festivals and concerts have to offer! Here at Engage we provide the best hospitality packages for some of the biggest names and festivals in the music industry including The Killers, Coldplay, Kew The Music Festival and BST Hyde Park! We take a closer look at what we have to offer and who you will be lucky enough to see perform!

The Killers

After a stellar performance at Leeds and Reading Festival 2023, the iconic American rock band are back in the UK for more! From the 4th July, The Killers will be taking the roof off of The O2 Arena with their many hits including For Reasons Unknown, Human and of course Mr. Brightside. With Engage offering hospitality for four nights, there is plenty of opportunity to watch the famous group led by Brandon Flowers send The O2 crazy. So what are you waiting for, ‘open up your eager eyes’ and check out our packages!

BST Hyde Park presented by American Express

Jealous of the Glastonbury festival-goers? Don’t worry, now is your chance to see some of the acts yourself as well as many more superstars! The BST Hyde Park is a massive festival held in Hyde Park, London from the 28th June until the 14th July with some of the biggest names in music. Artists include 2024 Glastonbury headliners and performers such as SZA, Shania Twain and Anne-Marie alongside other huge names for instance Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Andrea Bocelli. Trust us it does not get bigger than this! Check out the hospitality that Engage offer for this huge event, but be quick!

BST Hyde Park

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Coldplay

Speaking of huge artists and Glastonbury headliners, do Coldplay fit the bill for you? One of the main headliners at Glastonbury this year and a historic performance, they are also heading to Ireland at the end of August as part of their Music of Spheres World Tour. From the 29th August until 2nd September, Engage are offering some brilliant hospitality packages in Croke Park to watch Chris Martin and his crew perform hits such as Yellow, Sky Full of Stars, Fix You and much more. A wonderful opportunity to watch one of the greatest UK bands of all time with over 100 million albums sold worldwide. Take a look at the hospitality before it’s gone!

Henley Music Festival

It’s all going on at Henley this month. With both the Regatta and Music Festival in July, you won’t be spoilt for choice! From the 10th to the 14th July, once the enthralling boat racing action is finished, prepare for some of the biggest performers to take centre stage at the traditional English town, including Nicole Scherzinger, Gladys Knight and Eurovision star Sam Ryder! Embrace the atmosphere while enjoying brilliant music, gorgeous cuisine and the glamorous fashion on show!

Kew the Music

Engage also have another brilliant festival on offer. Partake in entertainment like no other as artists will perform in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kew Gardens in this unique festival. Performers include Ronan Keating, JLS and Richard Ashcroft. See your favourites perform live from the best seats in the house surrounded by nature at the UK’s famous botanical gardens! Enquire with Engage to see your favourites in action from the 8th July until the 14th July.

These are just a handful of the incredible live music events we provide hospitality for here at Engage. All year round you can watch your favourite artists and festivals from the best seats in the house. Don’t forget to check out our range of different venues where we offer hospitality for some of your favourite artists including Wembley Stadium, The Royal Albert Concert Hall and The O2 Arena. Events sell out fast so be quick if you want to revel this summer with Engage Hospitality!

Royal Ascot 2024 Round-Up

Posted on by Duncan Hughes

After a wonderful week of horse-racing action, Royal Ascot has come to a close for another year. The racing festival in Berkshire, England played host to a stunning 35 flat races over five days of enthralling action as both King Charles and the Queen were in attendance. After such a successful 2024 event we take a look at the key talking points, upcoming meetings and a look ahead to the 2025 event with Engage Hospitality.

Royal Ascot 2024

From the 18th-22nd June, some of the best flat racing horses, jockeys and trainers took to the Berkshire countryside to battle it out in one of the most famous events on the horse racing calendar. Arguably the most prestigious on the circuit, Royal Ascot was first brought about in 1768 as a four-day meeting. Now much more established, Royal Ascot attracts horse racing and fashion enthusiasts in numbers, alongside the Royal Family with millions of pounds of prize money up for grabs.

This year’s competition was no different with some huge winners across the 5 days. Perhaps the biggest shock of the week came on day one in the Coventry Stakes. Teenager Billy Loughnane rode 80-1 longshot Rashabar to victory beating Electrolyte to claim his first meeting win. Elsewhere on day one, Rosallion, Charyn and Asfoora were group 1 winners.

On day two, it was trainer Aidan O’Brien who celebrated his 400th group 1 win on the flat as jockey Ryan Moore rode Auguste Rodin to win the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. Moore also celebrated his 81st meeting victory, after winning earlier in the day, equalling Frankie Dettori’s leading active victories. Lester Piggot is the all-time Royal Ascot record holder with 116 victories.

The third day saw the main event take place, the Gold Cup. Kyprios was only the third horse ever to regain the title after winning in 2022, beating the favourite, Trawlerman, to victory. It was another victory for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore, as Moore surpassed Dettori’s leading active victories.

Day four saw Porta Fortuna take victory, ridden by Tom Marquand, in the Coronation Stakes. It was a win which saw trainer Donnacha O’Brien beat his father Aidan to first place. Earlier in the day, Inisherin was a dominant winner in the Commonwealth Cup winning by 2 1⁄4 lengths.

The final day took Ryan Moore’s Royal Ascot wins total to 85 as he rode Bedtime Story to victory in the Cheltenham Stakes winning by an astonishing 9 1⁄2 lengths, the biggest winning margin of the week! Elsewhere in the day, Khaadem won the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes for the second year in a row to round off an enthralling week of racing action.

Royal Ascot 2025 Hospitality

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Upcoming Meetings

Don’t worry if you missed out on Royal Ascot, Engage have plenty of opportunities over the rest of the summer for you to watch the best horses in action from the best seats in the house! The Qatar Goodwood Festival is another prominent fixture in the calendar with top level racing including two group 1 races, the Sussex Stakes and Nassau Stakes. Check out Engage’s hospitality options in both The Long View and The Final Furlong suites with ‘Glorious Goodwood’ taking place from the 30th July-3rd August!

How about a day at the races further north? With three group 1 races as well as Britain’s richest handicap, York’s Ebor Festival is a day at the races you can’t miss! Check out Engage’s hospitality options for one of the oldest and most famous racecourses in the UK!

Don’t forget the range of events still on show at Ascot this summer including the Summer Mile Racing Weekend, QIPCO King George Diamond Weekend and Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup! With plenty of racing to keep you entertained, why not watch it from the best seats in the house?

No matter which race day you fancy, Engage Hospitality have got you covered! We offer hospitality for events up and down the country including Aintree, Chepstow, Cheltenham and more! Don’t hesitate to get in contact with us and find out what your options are.

Royal Ascot 2025

Missed out on this year’s exciting array of fashion and racing? Don’t worry, Engage Hospitality will once again provide the best facilities for you to enjoy the racing in the company of Royalty in 2025! Watch to see how many races Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore can go for next year while enjoying delicious food and drink, on us! Royal Ascot 2025 takes place from the 17th-21st June 2025, so get the dates in your diary now to experience another scintillating weekend of racing action!

With an endless list of hospitality on show for Royal Ascot 2025, which one will you choose? Check out ICON by Engage, Wyndham, ON5, private boxes and much, much more!

Get to Know Henley Royal Regatta

Posted on by Duncan Hughes

With a huge summer of sport already underway, the events are coming thick and fast. The start of July marks the return of the annual Henley Royal Regatta. The historic rowing event will take place in Henley-on-Thames from the 2nd to the 7th July with thousands of spectators expected to flock to the river banks. We take a look at what you can expect from the event as well as some of the wonderful hospitality Engage have to offer!

What is Henley Royal Regatta?

Taking place in Henley-on-Thames, Henley Royal Regatta is the world’s most famous rowing event. As part of the prestigious occasion, spectators can expect six days of thrilling racing action. Established in 1839, it takes place annually finishing on the first weekend of July. The event has attracted some of the world’s best in the past including Steve Redgrave, Helen Glover, Jack Beresford and Katherine Grainger to name a few. This year will certainly be no different as athletes will look to use Henley as a warm up for the Olympic Games in Paris! This year’s regatta will take place from the 2nd-7th July.

What to wear?

There is a formal dress code for the event with visitors tending to wear blazers, collared shirts, caps, dresses and hats. Shorts, jeans and trainers are strictly prohibited in the hospitality enclosures.

What to expect?

With an astonishing 300-plus races for crowds to enjoy all week, the action is non-stop! Races will begin at 9am Tuesday-Friday, 10am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday lasting until approximately 7:30pm each day. Sunday’s finale will be the only outlier, coming to an end at 4:30pm. The most famous race at the regatta is the Grand Challenge Cup which is a competition for men’s eights.

This race has taken place every year since the regatta’s inception in 1839 and is widely regarded as the most prestigious event, open to all rowing clubs. The heats, semis, and final of the Grand Challenge Cup take place on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively. Trust us, you will not want to miss this one!

Aside from the never-ending list of racing, spectators can look forward to celebratory rowpasts, flypasts from the RAF, live music and more. There is something for everyone to enjoy, so why not come down to cheer the rowers on and soak up the incredible atmosphere in the summer sun?

Hospitality that Engage Offer

If you’re going to come along to the regatta, why not treat yourself and check out Engage Hospitality’s brilliant range of offers for you to watch the action? Engage are offering the best hospitality on show including our famous ICON facilities and the Temple Island Enclosure!

Experience the exhilarating action from our world class ICON facilities. Venture to the riverside and expect a delicious four-course lunch menu designed by the wonderful Michelin-Star chef, Angela Hartnett. Enjoy Hartnett’s wonderful culinary skills while sipping on a range of champagne, wine, beers, spirits and soft drinks from the complimentary bar in ICON’s very own private garden area. Listen to talks from special ICON guests while feasting on a traditional afternoon tea with all the action only a whisker away. There will also be a live DJ and saxophonist throughout the day to keep you entertained away from the competition!

What about the famous Temple Island Enclosure? Located in the middle of the river, this island creates a unique opportunity to watch the action up close while indulging in mouth-watering food and drink. Check out the private chalets for up to 100 guests as well as the option of partaking in a 90 minute river cruise along the course with an array of refreshments to satisfy your needs. What better way to watch the races?

So which option will you choose? Henley Royal Regatta is a great day out and it is a wonderful opportunity to experience boat racing like never before. Fancy a day on the riverside with Engage Hospitality? Enquire about our hospitality packages now before it’s too late!

Engage Hospitality’s Best London Venues

Posted on by Duncan Hughes

London has always been renowned for its range of world class facilities, hosting sporting events, theatrical performances, musical shows and much more. Some of London’s state of the art facilities have witnessed some of the greatest events in history including the London 2012 Olympics, the Ashes, the Brit Awards and much more. Here at Engage we offer hospitality in a whole host of London venues so you too can experience history and events like no other, from the best seats in the house.

With an incredible range of options on offer, Engage Hospitality provide packages across London with something for everyone. Catering for music, comedy, football, rugby and cricket fans, you will not be disappointed. Venues on offer include The Oval, Lord’s, Twickenham and The O2 Arena.

The Oval

With summer well underway, what better way to spend it than watching the cricket at The Kia Oval. Choose from a range of different formats including The Hundred, T20, Test Matches and more. Experience an atmosphere like no other as the ground plays host to the Oval Invincibles, Surrey and England. With some of the world’s best cricketers expected to play here this summer including the finale of an England vs Sri Lanka Test Series! What better way to witness it than with Engage Hospitality and our ICON facilities?

Lord’s

Perhaps you would prefer to watch England at the Home of Cricket? Or maybe you’re a Middlesex fan? Don’t worry, Engage have got you covered. We also offer brilliant hospitality packages at Lord’s Cricket Ground so you can watch London Spirit, Middlesex and England at the most iconic cricket ground in the world. After the controversial Ashes series last summer, Australia will be back on English soil for the first time in 2024 and you can watch it live from Lord’s with Engage Hospitality!

Twickenham

More of a Rugby fan? Check out Engage Hospitality’s range of rugby games as England compete in both the Autumn Nations Series and the Six Nations at Twickenham. Watch England from our ICON facilities as they face Japan, Australia, New Zealand and, World Cup Winners, South Africa amongst others. Experience an England side challenge for their first Six Nations title since 2020!

The O2 Arena

If you’re not a sporting fan, check out Engage Hospitality’s range of events taking place this summer at The O2 Arena including The Killers, Peter Kay and The Girls Aloud Show. The O2 is one of the most famous venues in the capital and is a great opportunity to see your favourite performers with some of the best hospitality on offer. The venue has seen some of the greatest entertainers ever including Elton John, Madonna, Prince and more. So why not see it for yourself?

Other Venues in London

These venues are not all Engage have to offer in London. Engage provide hospitality for Wembley Stadium, one of the UK’s most iconic sporting venues hosting international and domestic football. Not to mention presenting annual NFL games as well as a range of performing artists including Green Day, AC/DC and Bruce Springsteen. Engage Hospitality also provide packages at The Royal Albert Concert Hall, The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and more!

Here at Engage we offer something for everyone in London and beyond. Don’t hesitate to enquire about our hospitality options on show. Be quick though, the packages will sell fast! Check out Engage Hospitality for all the latest offers and decide which event you would like to watch from the best seats in the house across London!

Can Alcaraz Win The Cinch Championships?

Posted on by Duncan Hughes

The conclusion of the French Open on Sunday marked the end of the second tennis Grand Slam of the year. Carlos Alcaraz took victory over Germany’s Alexander Zverev, as the Spaniard claimed his 3rd Grand Slam. The next Grand Slam of the year, and perhaps the most famous, will be Wimbledon; where Alcaraz will look to defend his 2023 title. However, before that, the Cinch Championships will take place with some of the world’s best expected to attend as they make their final preparations for Wimbledon.

What are the Cinch Championships?

The Cinch Championships, or more commonly known as ‘The Queen’s Club Championships’, is one of the most famous events on the men’s ATP World Tour and is the longest running tournament on the circuit. The tournament takes place every year and is hosted at The Queen’s Club in West Kensington, London. The famous venue has played host to an array of different sports over the years including athletics, rugby, football and even staged the 1908 Olympics. Now predominantly a tennis venue, The Queen’s Club has hosted the championships since 1890.

Winners of the competition include Boris Becker, Pete Sampras, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, and to win would put you amongst impressive company. Taking place from the 15th-23rd June, tennis fans can expect a stellar entry list with world renowned names expected to attend the West End venue. But who will add their name to the Roll of Honour this year?

Contenders

Winner in 2023 and having recently won his 3rd Grand Slam, Carlos Alcaraz will be back to defend his title. The World Number 2 will be keen to defend his title in front of a British crowd as he will be looking to put himself in good stead for Wimbledon in a few weeks time. At only 21 years old, the Spaniard’s win at Roland Garros made him the youngest player to have won a Grand Slam on all three surfaces. Roland Garros was also his second tournament win of the year after victory at Indian Wells back in March defending his 2023 title. Alcaraz will be looking to bolster his confidence for the third Grand Slam of 2024.

Alcaraz will be challenged by Grigor Dimitrov, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur all of whom pose a real threat to the Spaniard’s title hopes. Dimitrov is World Number 10 and he will be hoping to cause an upset in London, while Taylor Fritz also looks to challenge. Alex de Minaur may be Alcaraz’s most dangerous opponent. The Australian has wins this year against Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andrey Rublev as well as both Fritz and Dimitrov. Keep an eye on the 25-year old to see if he can raise some eyebrows before Wimbledon.

British Names to Look Out For

In terms of the British contingent, Cam Norrie and Jack Draper are both set to take part. Norrie is yet to reach the heights of his 2022 season where he reached the Wimbledon semi-final and the World Top 10. Currently, ranked 39th in the world, can he turn his season around just in time?

Draper is ranked just one place behind Norrie at the moment in 40th place. The 22-year old made a name for himself at this competition in 2021, defeating Janik Sinner and reaching the quarter-finals before being defeated by Norrie.

Dark Horses

Carlos Alcaraz is the favourite to defend his title at the Queen’s Club next week but could we see an underdog beat the Spaniard to the trophy? Tommy Paul could be an unlikely winner after claiming his second title at the 2024 Dallas Open as well as reaching the semi-finals in the Italian Open and the Masters 2024 BNP Paribas Open. Can the American cause an upset with only his third ever title?

Sebastian Korda could also spoil Alcaraz’s plans of a win. Korda was the 2023 semi-finalist and will be looking to make amends for his defeat last year. Korda won the men’s doubles title at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open with Jordan Thompson claiming his first ATP level doubles title, while also performing well at the Dubai Tennis Championships, knocked out by World Number 6, Andrey Rublev, in the quarter-finals. His confidence will be high when he travels to London this weekend.

A very strong entry list and one that could produce an unlikely winner, who do you think will be crowned champion? Can Alacaraz continue his impressive form and defend his title? It is an opportunity for players to give themselves confidence before Wimbledon next month and it is a great opportunity to see the world’s best in action. Want to watch your favourite players from the best seats in the house? Check out Engage’s range of hospitality options for tennis including the Queen’s Club Championships, Wimbledon and the Olympic Games!

Blast Off in the T20 – The Vitality Blast is here

Posted on by Duncan Hughes

Summer marks the beginning of the 2024 domestic cricket season as players up and down the country return from their overseas duties over the winter. There are three domestic competitions that the county sides will compete in, including the traditional County Championship, One-Day Cup (50 overs) and the T20 Blast. We take a look at the start of the T20 Blast campaign and who might be emerging as early favourites to win the competition!

Get to know the T20 Blast

The T20 Blast is the shortest format in English County Cricket. Characterised by its high intensity, big-hitting and fast-paced action, it is beginning to become England’s most popular format attracting thousands of fans at cricket grounds across the country. Promoted by its atmosphere and interactive crowd engagements in an attempt to mirror the success of the Australian Big Bash League, the format offers something for everyone allowing you to get up close to the action. The T20 Blast has attracted some of the world’s best players over the years including AB De Villiers, Mitch Santner and Shahid Afridi to name a few. This season will be no different.

Teams compete in two groups, North and South. Upon completion of these groups, the top four sides in each group will advance to the quarter finals, where they will battle it out for a place at Finals Day. Finals Day consists of two semi-finals, before the grand finale with fans enjoying three top class games of cricket, and not to mention the all important Mascot Race!

Who won the T20 Blast in 2023? The South Group

It was Somerset who came out on top last year in an all South group final, defeating Essex at Edgbaston. After setting a target of 145 courtesy of a Sean Dickson 53 runs off 35 deliveries, Essex battled hard but ran out of wickets. They saw their tenth man fall on 131 runs, as a Matt Henry 4-for handed the South West club the trophy.

The sides have already faced each other in the 2024 format with a not too dissimilar outcome with Somerset coming out on top again. A 4 wicket victory for Somerset was enough to take the win in Essex, however, the champions haven’t had a perfect start to their title defence. Last year’s semi-finalists, Surrey, were dominant winners by 57 runs when they hosted Somerset at The Oval. It’s Surrey, the only team with a 100% record this year, who top the South group, closely followed by Kent Spitfires while Gloucestershire round off the top 3 based on run-rate.

The North Group

Meanwhile in the North group Lancashire Lightning have emerged as the early leaders. Thumping victories over Derbyshire and Durham, Lightning look to be early favourites, however, defeat to Worcestershire Rapids suggest they’re certainly not untouchable. There were no teams from the North present on finals day last year but in 2022, Lancashire were runners-up to Hampshire in a thrilling contest, losing by just one run. The last northern team to be crowned champions were Nottinghamshire Outlaws in 2020 beating Surrey in a rain-interrupted contest. The Outlaws have made a winless start to the campaign alongside Durham as they occupy the bottom two North group places.

Elsewhere, Birmingham Bears have made the perfect start to the campaign with wins over the Outlaws and Durham. The Bears are building a strong case for a trip to Finals Day this year for the first time since they won the competition back in 2014. Meanwhile Yorkshire Vikings and Northamptonshire Steelbacks also boast 2 wins with 1 defeat each.

Who’s going to win in 2024?

At this stage of the season, it’s far too early to predict a winner, but the favourites are appearing to top their respective groups. With Finals Day not until September 14th, there is plenty of time for teams to have a massive turn in form. Who do you think will be at Edgbaston in September? And who will lift the coveted Blast trophy? Find out from the best seats in the house with Engage Hospitality, check out their range of hospitality options for Old Trafford, Lords and of course Finals Day!

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What is the T20 World Cup?

The tournament in the West Indies and USA gets underway on Sunday 2nd June, with the American hosts taking on neighbours Canada in the opening fixture. England will also be facing local rivals in their first game and there will no doubt be plenty of sun cream in use as they face Scotland in Barbados.

Buttler and co. will also play Oman and Namibia in the group stage, as well as old rivals Australia, who won the 50-over World Cup last year. Meanwhile, Pakistan will face hosts USA, India, Canada and Ireland.

They’re targeting their second T20 World Cup win, having claimed the trophy in the competition’s second edition, beating Sri Lanka in the final at Lord’s back in 2009. They’ve lost twice in the final, including against England last time out.

Should England progress through their group, they’ll need to navigate their way through the Super 8s group, followed by the semi-finals. The final takes place on Saturday 29th June.

Olympic Games Paris 2024 – Team GB Swimming Hopes

Posted on by Duncan Hughes

With the season of Spring in full swing and Summer fast approaching, we can start looking forward to what will be an enthralling year of sport. The big event of the Summer for sports fans will be the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with Team GB expected to enter teams in most events.

It is a chance for fans of all sports to come together and watch the best athletes in the world go head-to-head to win what is arguably the most historic title on the planet in their respective sports. Here at Engage we will be doing a mini series of what to expect as the Olympics approach.

Team GB look like they will shape up well on dry-land in their hunt for gold medals, but what about in the pool? Team GB’s swimming team have enjoyed plenty of success in the Olympics over the years with 16 Olympic golds as well as 55 silver and bronze medals in total. Famous names involved in British swimming success include Anita Lonsbrough, the first woman to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Rebecca Adlington, Adam Peaty and Duncan Scott.

Swimming was introduced to the Olympics in 1896, originally with races taking place in a natural environment until 1908 where they moved to a pool. With only freestyle to begin with, backstroke and breaststroke were added in 1904 before butterfly was added in 1956 to complete the four swimming actions of the sport. Over the years, USA have famously dominated the sport owing much of that credit to Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, with 28 medals.

Athletes can expect to perform in the state of the art Paris La Defense Arena in 2024. Opened in 2017, the venue has hosted rugby matches, performing artists, conventions and more. Fans can watch the action on the world’s largest interactive screen (it is the size of seven tennis courts!). It is located in the La Defense business district, easily accessible via public transport and up the road from the iconic Arc De Triomphe.

So who can we expect to see on the podium for Team GB? Undoubtedly, the biggest name in GB swimming in recent years and one of the greatest breaststroke swimmers of all time, Adam Peaty will return to defend his Olympic title.

Three time Olympic Champion, he is on the hunt for his third consecutive Olympic breaststroke gold. He has broken the World Record 14 times, currently holding the 50m and 100m breaststroke records, and is also 8-time World Champion. After a 2-year battle with mental health, he is now on the comeback trail for Paris and is more eager than ever to win three in a row.

Duncan Scott will also be on the plane to the French capital. The Scotsman made history in Tokyo becoming Britain’s most decorated athlete at a single Games taking home 4 medals (3 silver, 1 gold) while also becoming the most decorated British Olympic swimmer in history. Scott will be keen to retain GB’s 4x200m freestyle title, while also gunning for individual success in the 200m freestyle and 200m medley where he was beaten to the gold by fellow Briton Tom Dean and Chinese swimmer Wang Shun in 2021.

Dean, Tokyo 2020’s double Olympic Champion, will also be back to defend his title while fellow double Olympic Champion James Guy is also in the 33-strong GB Team hoping to play a part in the medal effort. Matt Richards will also be on the plane, the fourth man in the 4x200m freestyle team alongside Scott, Dean and Guy.

Kathleen Dawson, Anna Hopkin and Freya Anderson have also been selected. Olympic Champions in the mixed 4x100m medley in Tokyo, the trio will hope to contribute to yet another gold medal.

Freya Colbert will also be a medal contender after becoming World Champion in the 400m medley in Doha earlier this year. A breakthrough year for the 20-year old, could she make it even better by winning gold in Paris?

In other events, Team GB will field a strong swimming team in the marathon events with Hector Pardoe, Leah Crisp and Toby Robinson taking part. Crisp and Robinson make their debuts in the 10km swim, with Pardoe hopeful of turning his 2024 World Championship bronze medal to gold in Paris.

So with such a strong team, can we see one of Team GB’s best medal hauls yet in Olympic swimming? It certainly looks possible and has the promise to be a very successful Games for the British team. Why not be part of their success? Watch the pool action in person from the best seats in the house with Engage Hospitality with the swimming events taking place from the 27th July to the 4th August.

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