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Author: Harry Howes

ICON Legends – Lionel Messi – Football superstar

Posted on by Harry Howes

In the latest instalment of our ICON legends series, we’ve taken a look at the mind-blowing numbers behind Lionel Messi and his incredible career.

While football fans will never unanimously agree on who the best player of all time is, it’s undeniable that Messi deserves to be at the centre of any debate. The Argentinian broke into Barcelona’s first team at the age of 17 and he hasn’t looked back since.

Messi spent 17 years running the show at the Nou Camp, winning an astonishing 34 trophies, including four Champions Leagues and 10 La Liga titles. He scored 672 goals for the Spanish side, including 73 in the 2011/12 season, which landed him one of his six European Golden Shoes.

He was the talisman in one of the greatest club sides in history under Pep Guardiola, leading Barca to Spanish football’s first ever treble in 2009. Messi’s dominance continued and alongside Neymar and Luis Suarez, he was part of one of the most feared attacks in Europe as Barca secured European glory again in 2015.

The 36-year-old has won it all at club and international level and he holds the record for the most Ballon d’Or wins, having secured the coveted award an incredible seven times.

Rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo

Messi enjoyed a healthy rivalry with Cristiano Ronaldo that lasted nine years, with both of them in the prime of their career as they competed for fierce rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Ronaldo regularly joins Messi in the conversation for best of all time and they’ve each developed a dedicated cult following worldwide – it truly is the footballing equivalent of Blur vs Oasis.

The pair have won 79 trophies between them and have each scored more than 800 career goals. For many years they shared the Ballon d’Or, with no other player managing to win it between 2008 and 2017.

Their domestic rivalry ended in 2018 when Ronaldo left La Liga to join Juventus and despite the drama that was created whenever they met on the pitch, it was evident throughout their careers that the pair had nothing but respect and admiration for one another.

Messi Kolkata - World Cup Poster

World Cup win

Messi has been compared to Diego Maradona throughout his career due to both his playing style and his prestige back in Argentina. And while Messi is his country’s all-time leading goalscorer, there were always question marks over his legendary status due to the fact that he hadn’t won the World Cup.

He almost single-handedly managed it in 2014 as he guided Argentina to the World Cup final before they fell at the final hurdle, ultimately losing to Germany.

That looked to be the end of Messi’s World Cup dream as just two years later he announced his international retirement. But he quickly changed his mind and helped his nation reach the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

It wasn’t for another three years that Messi would taste international glory as Argentina beat Brazil in the final to secure the 2021 Copa America. And a year later, he finally etched his name alongside Maradona’s by winning football’s ultimate prize.

Despite being 35 years old at the tournament in Qatar, Messi rolled back the years as he captained Argentina to the final. He scored twice against France as the game finished 3-3, before Messi and co. came out on top in a tense penalty shootout to bring the famous trophy back to Argentina for the first time since 1986.

Ballon d’Or favourite

As a result of winning the World Cup, Messi remains the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or for the eighth time. The superstar continued his brilliance after the tournament as he helped PSG to the Ligue 1 title.

Messi has since crossed the pond to join Inter Miami, where he has reunited with former Barcelona team-mates Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba and the trio have already secured the 2023 Leagues Cup.

Manchester City star Erling Haaland will be a strong contender when the Ballon d’Or ceremony rolls around next month. The Norwegian striker enjoyed a season Messi would be proud of as he scored a phenomenal 52 goals en route to the treble in his debut season in England.

But the award famously favours success in the World Cup and having already won it seven times, it seems inevitable that an eighth is on its way.

EURO 2024: Who will make the England squad?

Posted on by Harry Howes

Dust off your England flags and get ‘Three Lions’ on your speakers because EURO 2024 is just around the corner. We’re now just nine months away from the tournament in Germany and England will be desperate to avenge their 2021 penalty shootout heartbreak in the final.

In what seems to have become a strangely familiar feeling, England fans have every reason to be optimistic. We’ve got a squad full of young, exciting talent, and Gareth Southgate’s record in major tournaments speaks for itself.

Ahead of the Euros, we’ve taken a look at who might make the final squad and whether they can go all the way.

Who will definitely be in the England squad?

While even Gareth Southgate won’t know how his final squad will look, there are some players that we already know will be on the plane providing they’re fit and available. Captain Harry Kane will be familiar with the German venues following his switch to Bayern Munich and he’ll be keen to make amends following his penalty miss in the World Cup defeat to France.

Meanwhile, he’ll be joined in attack by Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish. Superstar midfielders Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are shoo-ins following their big-money moves over the summer.

At the back, Manchester City duo John Stones and Kyle Walker are guaranteed to feature in the final squad, along with Kieran Trippier and Jordan Pickford. Elsewhere, left-backs Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell should also be called up.

Southgate has come under scrutiny for being too loyal to his favourites, even when they’re not playing for their clubs. And while their inclusion may not please everyone, there’s a strong chance that Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips will also be in the squad.

Who will be hoping to force their way in?

For any other country in the world, Trent Alexander-Arnold would be one of the first names on the plane. However, he’s never quite forced his way into Southgate’s plans, particularly given our strength at right-back. Yet his recent England appearances have seen him deployed in central midfield so there’s hope for the Liverpool man yet.

James Maddison has been on the fringes for a few years and having started the season strongly at Tottenham, you’d expect him to be in contention. Similarly, a return to form for Raheem Sterling could thrust the Chelsea winger back into the fold, despite him being ignored for the recent international break.

Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze has also featured in the last few squads but with such strength in depth in attacking areas, he may just miss out.

Stones seems to be the only nailed centre-back, which gives an opportunity for the likes of Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk, Levi Colwill and Fikayo Tomori to impress from now until the end of the season.

Meanwhile, it remains to be seen who will be trusted to provide back-up for Kane up top. Callum Wilson appears to be the frontrunner but he’ll be looking over his shoulder at the form of Eddie Nketiah and Ollie Watkins alongside Ivan Toney, with his gambling ban ending in January, giving him 5 months to fire himself back into form.

England haven’t quite secured their place yet, with a few more qualifiers to go. You can cheer on the boys in style as they take on Italy and Malta at Wembley.

England face Germany in an international football match in front of home fans at Wembley Stadium

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Can England win EURO 2024?

After narrowly losing the final on penalties last time out, England will fancy their chances at going one better next summer. But they’ll face stiff competition from France, who are favourites to go all the way.

They boast a squad packed full of young talent, spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe, who has cemented his place among the world’s elite. But England aren’t far behind and having run France close at the World Cup, combined with their young stars getting another 18 months of experience under their belts, there’s no reason to fear anybody.

Hosts Germany will inevitably improve in time to be in contention next summer. A recent 4-1 defeat to Japan saw manager Hansi Flick dismissed. Yet more often than not, the Germans step up when it matters in tournaments.

As ever, Spain and Portugal will be among the contenders. Cristiano Ronaldo will be 39 by the time the competition gets underway and it will likely be his final chance to claim another international trophy.

Meanwhile, holders Italy will be looking to retain their crown, while the Netherlands and Belgium will always be dark horses.

Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff victorious at US Open 

Posted on by Harry Howes

A phenomenal two weeks of tennis at the US Open has brought an end to the fourth Grand Slam of 2023 – and Novak Djokovic came within one set of winning all four of them. 

The legendary player continued his blistering form to claim victory in New York, while Coco Gauff made home advantage count as she won her home tournament for the first time. 

Djokovic equals Grand Slam record 

Djokovic bounced back from his Wimbledon final defeat in style by claiming his fourth US Open title over the weekend. The Serbian beat Daniil Medvedev in straight sets at Flushing Meadows to win the prestigious tournament for the first time since 2018. 

The win was his 24th Grand Slam, taking him equal with previous record holder Margaret Court, whose last title came in 1973. One more title for Djokovic will make him the most successful player in the Open era and, in the eyes of many, the greatest player of all time. 

Djokovic was imperious at Flushing Meadows as he stormed to victory, only dropping two sets in the entire competition. Those both came in the third round against fellow countryman Laslo Djere, who forced Djokovic to work hard and win the final three sets to progress. 

The US Open is Djokovic’s third major title of the year, with only a defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon denying him his first Career Grand Slam. 

At 36, Djokovic is now the oldest male slam winner in the Open era. But fans and foes alike will still have plenty of chances to see him attempt to break the record as he insists he has no intention of retiring just yet. 

558020 Jannik Sinner (ITA) playing against Novak Djokovic (SRB) in the semi-final of the Gentlemen's Singles on Centre Court at The Championships 2023. Held at The All England Lawn Tennis Club, Wimbledon. Day 12 Friday 14/07/2023. Credit: AELTC/Jonathan Nackstrand

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Gauff makes home advantage count 

Gauff has been tipped to be the future of US tennis and she claimed the first Grand Slam title of her career at Flushing Meadows. The 19-year-old came from a set down on Saturday to beat Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka in the final. 

Gauff’s win on home soil meant she became the first American teenager to win the US Open since Serena Williams achieved the feat way back in 1999. 

Having crashed out in the quarter-finals a year ago, Gauff was relentless throughout the tournament in New York. She dropped just three sets on her route to the final.  

Gauff’s previous best result in a Grand Slam came last year when she reached the French Open final, losing to Iga Swiatek. And after claiming her first major title, it seems inevitable that we’ll now see her lifting silverware on a regular basis.  

 A memorable US Open 

Having enjoyed a remarkable win over Djokovic at Wimbledon, Alcaraz was unable to maintain his momentum in the US Open. A rematch in the final looked to be on the cards but he came unstuck against Medvedev in the semis. 

Alcaraz lost a first set tie break before admitting afterwards that he lost his head and wasn’t mature to handle the pressure. Luckily for him, he’s still only 20 so will undoubtedly learn from the experience. 

Elsewhere, ladies Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová was also unable to repeat her fairytale win. The Czech was seeking an unlikely second Grand Slam title but she was beaten in the quarter-finals to American star Madison Keys. 

2012 winner Andy Murray made it to the second round where he was beaten in straight sets by Grigor Dimitrov. While it’s unclear where the 36-year-old’s future lies, he only has tennis on his mind for now having joined up with the Great Britain squad for the Davis Cup group stage in Manchester. 

And there was British success at the US Open for Joe Salisbury. The six-time Grand Slam champion won his third consecutive title at Flushing Meadows alongside Rajeev Ram in the men’s doubles. 

Join us at Wimbledon next year 

With the form Djokovic is currently in, there’s a very good chance that he’ll reach the Wimbledon final once again next summer – and it may well be for the last time. 

So, if you want to see him avenge his 2023 defeat in the flesh, as well as the ladies final, beat the queue and enjoy it from the best seats in the house with Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages. 

England look to build momentum in ODI series

Posted on by Harry Howes


The Ashes may be a distant memory but the spirit of cricket lives on and we’re in the midst of a fascinating few months of white-ball action. England endured a mixed T20 series against New Zealand and the pair are set to lock horns again this week.

With the ODI World Cup just around the corner, there’s still plenty that England can do to improve, while there may well be one or two spots in the squad to be filled.

England face India in a One Day International at Lord's Cricket Ground

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England throw T20 series away with limp performances

As England went home for the evening last Friday, they’d have been forgiven for thinking they had their T20 series against New Zealand wrapped up. Two convincing wins at the Riverside Ground and Old Trafford had them 2-0 up and playing with confidence.

But things are never that easy with England. New Zealand came out firing in the third clash at Edgbaston and thanks to half centuries from Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips, they were too much for the hosts, despite captain Jos Buttler’s valiant efforts.

And the final match on Tuesday went to the visitors as well, with New Zealand levelling the series with an imperious six-wicket thrashing. Jonny Bairstow tried his best as he led the charge, smashing home an impressive 73 from 41 balls.

But following his dismissal, his team-mates failed to continue that momentum and once New Zealand’s spinners took charge, the wickets quickly fell. Despite a disappointing end to the series, England looked strong at points and they’ll be looking to take the positives as they gear up for a four-game ODI series against the same opponents.

And while their immediate attention will be on their next clash with the Kiwis and the imminent ODI World Cup, England will have one eye on the T20 World Cup. They’re the current holders and based on the evidence of the last week, they’ll need to improve massively if they want to defend their title in the United States and West Indies next summer.

Harry Brook keeps World Cup dream alive

It’s been a season of ups and downs in all cricket formats for Yorkshire batsman Brook. The 24-year-old impressed during England’s summer Ashes series against Australia before showing his class for the Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.

But Ben Stokes’ retirement U-turn saw Brook miss out on England’s provisional squad for the ODI World Cup. Not one to let setbacks derail his performances, Brook has continued to graft in recent weeks – and his perseverance may have paid off.

Following a 41-ball century in The Hundred, Brook recorded scores of 43 and 67 in the opening two T20 clashes with New Zealand. And he’s been given the chance to impress further after being added to the squad for the ODI series, which gets underway tomorrow.

England coach Matthew Mott says the door is still open for him to make the squad, with changes permitted up until 28th September. It’s now up to Brook to prove his worth and he’ll undoubtedly be relishing the opportunity, starting in Cardiff on Friday.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - JULY 09: England bowler Sam Curran in bowling action during the second Vitality IT20 match between England and India at Edgbaston on July 09, 2022 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) 1407727112 cricket

Can New Zealand avenge World Cup final heartbreak?

Following the T20 series, there’s no time to rest as England and New Zealand get straight back into the action. It’s the first time the Kiwis will take part in a 50-over on British soil since they lost in the World Cup final at Lord’s back in 2019 following a dramatic super over.

That day will live long in the memory, with the scores tied after 50 overs at 241 runs each, the game went to a one over showdown. Stokes and Buttler returned to the crease for England, managing 15 runs for England from 6 balls.

Spectacularly New Zealand also managed 15 runs from their super over, meaning the decider was the amount of boundaries scored in bth teams innings, with England clinching the World Cup after having 26 boundaries to the Kiwi’s 17.

Ben Stokes, the man of the match that day, has reversed his ODI retirement to make a comeback for the upcoming games so it is expected he will also be in the World Cup squad, trying to recreate his heroics again.

Both sides will be looking to knock themselves into form ahead of the next World Cup, which gets underway in India on 5th October.

As well as Brook, Brydon Carse is also looking to stake a claim for the squad having initially been left out. The 28-year-old impressed in the T20 series, taking four wickets in the opening two matches.

England vs New Zealand ODI series:

●      Friday 8th September – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

●      Sunday 10th September – The Ageas Bowl, Southampton

●      Wednesday 13th September – Kia Oval, London

●      Friday 15th September – Lord’s London

Following the four-day series against New Zealand, England will take on Ireland over three matches before heading out to India with ambitions of retaining their World Cup crown.

ICON Golf Day: Everything you need to know

Posted on by Harry Howes

The ultimate golf day is just around the corner! We’re counting down the days to one of the biggest events in our calendar – the 2023 ICON Golf Day.

This year’s event takes place on Wednesday 20th September at The Grove, the iconic golf course situated in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside.

We’re looking forward to welcoming people from all over the country for a day that promises celebrity guests, mouth-watering food and, most importantly, a competitive round of golf.

What to expect on the day

The Grove is located just 18 miles from London and we’re delighted to bring our famous ICON Golf Day to its beautiful surroundings, which is the former home of the Earls of Clarendon.

Our guests will enjoy exclusive use of the clubhouse and golf facilities at The Grove, as well as a bespoke 18-hole menu from innovative chef Jimmy Garcia. There will be food and drink facilities on every hole, as well as an on-course DJ to keep the party going throughout the day. All you need to do is bring your golf clubs!

Golf professionals will be on hand to offer coaching tips to our guests, who will have access to the driving range and putting green to put their new skills into practice.

Keep your eyes peeled for celebrity appearances and ‘beat the ICON’ competitions, as well as plenty of other opportunities to win prizes. Including our hole-in-one hole.

On our ICON Golf Day at The Grove in May 2022, we saw an unbelievable hole-in-one which saw our guest pick up a brand new car. It was his first ever hole-in-one and what a time to do it, on our specifically designated prize hole.

It was a euphoric moment on the course and one that he and we will never forget. Fancy your chances at bagging an ace?

Golf Day Hole in One Winner with Car
Golf Day Hole in One Winner with Car

The Grove

The Grove is home to one of the world’s most scenic golf courses, situated within 300 acres of British countryside. It hosted the British Masters back in 2016 and was the scene of a 2006 World Golf Championship event, which was won by Tiger Woods.

Barack Obama has played at The Grove and he joins a long list of celebrities to have tried their hand on the course. The likes of Andy Cole, Chris Robshaw, Ryan Sidebottom, Danny Mills, Matt Prior, Mark Foster, Micky Hazard and DJ Spoony have all previously been guests at our ICON Golf Day.

As well as the championship golf course, The Grove is home to a luxury hotel, an award-winning spa, several state-of-the-art restaurants and a host of activities for guests of all ages.

The Grove is just a 20-minute train from London, followed by a short taxi ride from Watford Junction. It can also be accessed via mainline services from Birmingham New Street and Manchester Piccadilly.

Don’t miss out next year

Our ICON Golf Day is always one of the best and most popular days in the Engage calendar. If you’re joining us on the day we can’t wait to see you there but if you’re not, sadly all of the places for this year have been filled.

Luckily, our next event is just around the corner and there are still limited spaces for our ICON Golf Day in May. Plus, we’ll be hosting another one in September 2024.

It truly is an unforgettable day so if it sounds like something you’d like to be a part of, don’t hesitate to get in touch with bookings on 0207 048 4848 to reserve your place.

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Premier League 2023/24: Three Weeks in

Posted on by Harry Howes

We’ve enjoyed an incredible summer of sport but nothing quite hits the spot like the return of the Premier League. Manchester City dominated last season on the way to an historic treble and they’ve started the new campaign in a similar vein.

Arsenal are looking to bounce back after fading away in last year’s title race while Chelsea and Liverpool will be keen to show the world that they can still compete at the top. We’re now three weeks into the new season so we’ve taken a look at all the key talking points so far.

Manchester City pick up where they left off

After winning the treble last season, there were concerns that City might take their foot off the gas and give somebody else a chance of success for once. But Pep Guardiola doesn’t do things by halves and his side have continued to be imperious, winning their opening three games so far.

Wins over Burnley and Newcastle set them up for a trip to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United at the weekend, where Erling Haaland proved he is human by missing a hatful of chances, including a first-half penalty that struck the post.

But he finally found a way through in the second half, heading home the opener before Rodri’s unsaveable strike cancelled out Jayden Bogle’s equaliser to secure the three points for Man City.

It’s far too early in the season to come to any conclusions but with Fulham, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Wolves to come in their next four games and their rivals already dropping points, a fourth consecutive Premier League title could be on its way to the Etihad.

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Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham put the pressure on

Arsenal ran City close last season and after investing heavily into their squad, they’ll have ambitions of securing their first Premier League title since 2004. But a limp start to the season has raised concerns about their prospects, particularly with the distraction of Champions League football to come.

Mikel Arteta’s side just about edged past Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace in their opening two games but they dropped points for the first time at the weekend, with Joao Palhinha’s late effort rescuing a point for Fulham at the Emirates.

And with four of the traditional ‘big six’ to come in their next six games, the Gunners face a big test in terms of their title credentials this season.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are looking to bounce back from a disappointing campaign last term and they remain unbeaten so far with two wins and a draw. Their trip to Newcastle on Sunday looked destined for disaster when Anthony Gordon’s opener was followed up by a Virgil van Dijk red card.

But last season’s misfiring misfit Darwin Nunez stepped up to the plate with two late goals to complete a remarkable turnaround for Jurgen Klopp’s side. Newcastle looked somewhat demoralised and sit 13th in the table following two defeats so far.

The Magpies started the season strongly with a 5-1 thrashing of Aston Villa but they’ve looked toothless since and with the Champions League to come, they may find they don’t have the squad depth required to repeat the highs of last season.

Whisper it quietly but Tottenham look to be playing better as a cohesive unit without Harry Kane. Their free-flowing, attacking style under new boss Ange Postecoglou has resulted in two wins and a draw, with summer signing James Maddison adding an extra dimension to their attack.

The England international bagged his first goal for Spurs in Saturday’s win at Bournemouth and with Kane now plying his trade at Bayern Munich, the onus could be on Maddison to inspire the north London side. They currently sit third in the table and with all three of the promoted sides to come in their next five games, they’ve got a real chance to build some momentum.

Chelsea and Manchester United’s struggles continue despite wins

Both Chelsea and Manchester United won at the weekend but there’s a fear that those results merely paper over the cracks. Chelsea in particular had a woeful time last season, finishing 12th in the Premier League.

They’ve since undergone a major squad overhaul as well as bringing in former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino to oversee the operation. The Blues are a work in progress and Friday’s 3-0 victory over Luton could be a sign of things to come.

However, a disappointing defeat to West Ham the week before is evidence that things aren’t what they seem at Stamford Bridge and they may continue to struggle when coming up against stronger opposition.

United were convincingly brushed aside by Tottenham last weekend and they were shocked at home to Forest on Saturday, who went 2-0 up after four minutes at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag’s men eventually fought back to claim all three points but it’s clear that they’re not as strong as they were and something needs to change if they want to challenge their rivals for honours this term.

With the Premier League season only just getting started, there are plenty more huge games to come. Secure your place to watch a thrilling match in premium hospitality with Engage Hospitality.

US Open: Can Djokovic avenge Wimbledon defeat?

Posted on by Harry Howes

Tennis fans across the world have only just recovered from an exhilarating two weeks at Wimbledon, but they’re already being served up another treat. The US Open gets underway in New York on Monday and we’re set for another fortnight of full-throttle action.

Novak Djokovic reminded us just how good he was at Wimbledon despite falling at the final hurdle and he’ll be seeking revenge on Carlos Alcaraz, the new kid on the block. Meanwhile, Marketa Vondrousova is targeting the unlikeliest of doubles following her shock Wimbledon win – but there’s a strong list of contenders standing in her way.

Ahead of the competition at Flushing Meadows, we’ve taken a look at the contenders that are set to battle it out for both the men’s and women’s titles.

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Djokovic and Alcaraz to resume rivalry

After seemingly passing the baton to Alcaraz at Wimbledon last month, Djokovic is desperate to show the world that he’s not quite finished yet. Despite the defeat in SW19, the Serbian played some of the best tennis of his career and he remains the favourite to claim his fourth US Open title.

Djokovic is targeting his 24th Grand Slam, and his third this year, and he’ll be looking to bounce back in style following Wimbledon. He showed that Alcaraz doesn’t quite have his number yet as he came from a set down to beat him in the Cincinnati Masters final last weekend.

But Alcaraz will be looking to continue the startling form that saw him claim his second major title in south London. The 20-year-old is looking to retain his crown in New York having defeated Casper Ruud a year ago. Following his win at Wimbledon, it’s clear that Alcaraz is the future star of tennis – but Djokovic’s recent form has shown that he’s not quite ready to step away from the top table.

Who else could challenge for the US Open?

World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev’s only Grand Slam title came at the US Open back in 2021. The Russian has enjoyed a strong season and he battled well as he ultimately lost in straight sets to Alcaraz in the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

Djokovic’s semi-final opponent Jannik Sinner is also a contender to keep an eye on. At 22, he’s another star with a bright future and he reached the quarter-finals this time last year. The Italian followed up his final four showing at Wimbledon by winning the Canadian Open earlier this month, defeating Andy Murray in the round of 16.

Despite withdrawing from the Cincinnati Masters, Murray looks set to compete at Flushing Meadows. The British legend won the competition back in 2012 and while he won’t expect to repeat history this time around, he’ll still secretly be dreaming of a fairytale few weeks in what will likely be one of his final US Open appearances.

Can Vondrousova defy the odds again?

The world of tennis was in shock last month as Vondrousova became the first unseeded player to ever win the Wimbledon’s women’s singles title. The Czech comfortably dispatched Ons Jabeur in straight sets to claim her first Grand Slam title.

Vondrousova, who is ranked ninth in the world, will be looking to spring another surprise and make it two out of two at the US Open, where she’s never made it past the fourth round.

Standing in her way will likely be World No. 1 Iga Swiatek, who is targeting back-to-back US Open titles. The four-time Grand Slam winner put a disappointing Wimbledon quarter-final exit behind her by racing to victory in the Poland Open, winning every set in the process.

This year’s Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will also fancy her chances and she’ll be keen to avenge a semi-final defeat to Swiatek this time last summer. Elsewhere, Elena Rybakina will be looking to add the US Open to last year’s Wimbledon title, although she’ll need to improve in New York, having never got as far as the fourth round.

US stars Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula will be well supported on home soil. Meanwhile, shock 2021 winner Emma Raducanu will be absent as she recovers from wrist surgery.

What to Expect from Ebor Festival 2023

Posted on by Harry Howes

Hold your horses, the flat racing season isn’t quite done yet! The Ebor Festival gets underway this week, with four days of elite racing taking place at the iconic York Racecourse.

The Ebor was first held in 1843 and is one of the last major flat race meetings of the season. And if the prestige of the event isn’t enough to get you in the mood, it’s also one of the last opportunities to see legendary jockey Frankie Dettori in action.

The Italian has enjoyed many incredible moments at the festival, with his first Group 1 winner coming way back in 1993. He also rode Enable to victory in the Yorkshire Oaks in both 2017 and 2019.

As we look ahead to another spectacular event in York, we’ve put together all the information you need to enjoy this year’s Ebor Festival.

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Ebor Festival 2023 schedule

Wednesday 23rd August – Juddmonte International

The first day at the Ebor Festival sees York’s richest race of the season, the Juddmonte International Stakes, take place. Dettori will be looking to win the Group 1 contest for a record sixth time as he stands in for Jim Crowley aboard Mostahdaf.

Elsewhere, there are plenty of other top races to look forward to, with the Voltigeur Stakes immediately following the Tattersalls Acomb Stakes on a jam-packed opening day.

1:50pm – Sky Bet & Symphony Group Stakes

2:25pm – Tattersalls Acomb Stakes

3:00pm – Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes

3:35pm – Juddmonte International Stakes

4:10pm – Sky Bet Stayers Stakes

4:45pm – IRE Incentive, It Pays to Buy Irish Stakes – Fillies’ Handicap

5:20pm – Sky Bet Nursery

Thursday 24th August – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks & Ladies Day

Ladies Day takes place on day two and while spectacular outfits will be on display, all eyes will be on the Yorkshire Oaks. Savethelastdance and Bluestocking are going head-to-head again in the British Champions Series race, having finished first and second in the Irish Oaks last month.

Thursday kicks off with the Lowther Stakes, a Group 2 sprint over six furlongs, before the Premier Yearling Stakes gets underway.

1:50pm – Sky Bet Lowther Stakes

2:25pm – Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes

3:00pm – Clipper Stakes

3:35pm – Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks

4:10pm – British EBF and Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes

4:40pm – OR8wellness ebfstallions Nursery

5:20pm – British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Stakes

Friday 25th August – Coolmore Nunthorpe

The key race to look out for on Friday is the Nunthorpe Stakes, which Dettori won for the first time on Lochsong 30 years ago. Last year’s winner Highfield Princess is the favourite to retain the crown this time around.

Elsewhere, look out for the Lonsdale Cup, a race Dettori has won on three of the last five occasions, as well as the Gimcrack Stakes, a Group 2 affair.

1:50pm – Sky Bet Stakes

2:25pm – Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup

3:00pm – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes

3:35pm – Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes

4:10pm – Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Stakes

4:40pm – British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes

5:20pm – Sky Bet Mile Stakes

Saturday 26th August – Sky Bet Ebor

The final day of the festival sees us go out in style with the Ebor Handicap, the most valuable flat handicap in Europe. The favourite this time around is Sweet William, who recently edged Dettori’s Adjuvant in the Coral Summer Handicap at Goodwood.

Day four kicks off with the Strensall Stakes, a Group 3 race that Dettori has won a record eight times. Elsewhere, look out for the City of York Stakes and the Melrose Stakes.

1:50pm – Sky Bet & Symphony Group Strensall Stakes

2:25pm – Sky Bet Melrose Stakes

3:00pm – Sky Bet City of York Stakes

3:35pm – Sky Bet Ebor

4:10pm – Sky Bet Constantine Stakes

4:45pm – Julia Graves Roses Stakes

5:20pm – Sky Bet Finale Stakes

Watch the Ebor Festival in style

With the flat racing season almost over, the Ebor Festival is one of your last chances to catch a glimpse of the best horses and jockeys in action. As ever, you can take advantage of Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages, with luxury private enclosures, food and drinks packages and plenty more.

Comedy to see in 2024

Posted on by Harry Howes

There’s nothing quite like a good night out watching comedy. It allows us to switch off for an hour or two, enjoy heartwarming (and sometimes horrifying!) stories and, most of the time, try not to cry from laughing.

Well, if a stand-up show is what you’re after then you’re in for a treat. Next year, not one, not even two but three of the UK’s greatest ever comedians are hitting the road.

Peter Kay, Michael McIntyre and Romesh Ranganathan are all back on tour, with dates up and down the country, including at the O2 Arena.

Fancy joining us for a laugh? Here’s everything you need to know.

Peter Kay

Legendary Bolton comedian Peter Kay is finally back, almost 12 years after his record-breaking last tour. He’s been one of the country’s leading stand-ups for more than 26 years and is the creator and star of Channel 4’s That Peter Kay Thing and Phoenix Nights.

Kay first went on tour in 2002 and he followed up his debut with his second show, The Tour That Didn’t Tour Tour… Now On Tour, which broke the Guinness World Record for selling the most amount of tickets in history. Almost 1.2 million people saw the tour across 113 dates and Kay’s latest venture initially sold out as soon as it went on sale.

The new tour is titled Better Late Than Never and touches on nostalgia and early jobs, as well as family life and health issues, delivered in his usual honest and relatable style. Kay’s tour is already underway and he’s taking it to the biggest cities in the UK, with several dates to look forward to in London and Manchester.

The 50-year-old is set to become the first ever artist to put on a monthly residency at the O2, which gets underway in 2024, before concluding the tour the following year.

You can watch all of Kay’s O2 shows from the best seats in the house with our exclusive hospitality packages. Enjoy the best views of the stage in premium level 1 seats, as well as access to the VIP lounge and private bar.

Kay will also be finishing 2023 with several dates at the Manchester Arena. Fancy bringing your pals for an unforgettable night of laughter? You can take advantage of our private boxes, all stocked up with a gourmet buffet and complimentary drinks.

Michael McIntyre

Family favourite McIntyre is also back on the road, with four dates scheduled to take place at the O2 next spring.

The loveable stand-up first appeared on Live At The Apollo and he hasn’t looked back since. The BAFTA winner has been a judge on Britain’s Got Talent, as well as hosting Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and The Wheel.

He’s enjoyed remarkable success from previous tours, as more than 700,000 people attended Showtime in 2012. As well as that, he’s also previously sold out a record-breaking 28 shows at the O2.

McIntyre is embarking on his sixth stand-up tour with Macnificent, where fans can expect classic observational material as he brings everyday relatable topics to life on stage.

The show will tour the UK and Ireland, as well as travelling overseas to the likes of New York, Australia, New Zealand and Dubai.

The 47-year-old has pencilled in nights at the O2 on 5th, 6th, 12th and 13th April next year, with exclusive areas, private bars, luxurious suites and the best views in the building available with our hospitality packages.

Romesh Ranganathan

The fun doesn’t stop there because another much-loved comedian is flying into the O2 for two showstopping tour dates next year.

Ranganathan first joined the comedy circuit around 10 years ago while he was still working as a school teacher. Since then, he’s developed into one of the most successful comics in the country and has presented several of his own TV shows as well as becoming a regular panellist on A League Of Their Own.

Following sell-out tours and Netflix specials, Ranganathan is back to bring Hustle up and down the UK, including two nights in London on 24th and 25th May next year.

The show explores whether hustling is the key to success, looking at the good and bad sides of people and hilariously contemplating the benefits of charity.

If you’re excited to see Romesh back on the road again, enjoy his new show in style with Engage’s luxury hospitality packages

Formula 1: The race to finish second to Max Verstappen

Posted on by Harry Howes

We’re just over halfway through the Formula 1 season but barring the unlikeliest of comebacks, Max Verstappen’s name is already on the trophy.

The Red Bull driver has swept all before him so far this year, winning 10 races and finishing on the podium in the other two. Verstappen has almost double the points of his closest rival and is well on track to claiming his third consecutive world title.

Despite his dominance, the race is still on to finish second so we’ve taken a look at the runner-up contenders.

The battle for second place

There are 10 races remaining in the F1 season, with the Dutch Grand Prix up next on 27th August. As it stands, Sergio Perez is on track to finish second and is the only driver other than Verstappen to win a race this year.

The Mexican came out on top in both Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, while he’s also finished on the podium on five other occasions. Perez has never won the championship, with his third-place finish last year the best of his career so far.

Elsewhere, just one point separates old rivals Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton in the standings. The pair have respectively finished on the podium six and four times this season and if they can up their game and get a few wins under their belt, there’s every chance either one of them can leapfrog Perez into second place.

Charles Leclerc sits in fifth with three podium finishes and the 2022 runner-up will have ambitions of matching his finish from last year. Meanwhile, a late contender could be rising up the ranks in the form of Lando Norris.

The McLaren driver sits in eighth but he’s come into a bit of form of late, finishing second in two of the last three races, including a stunning performance at Silverstone where he finished just 3.798 seconds behind Verstappen.

Formula 1 racing at the 2023 British Grand Prix in Silverstone

Struggles for Hamilton and Mercedes

Rewind a few years and it would have been unthinkable to imagine an F1 season without Hamilton winning a race. Yet the 38-year-old has picked up where he left off, having failed to pick up a single win last year.

He’s yet to taste victory in 2023 and as he enters the twilight of his career, there are huge fears that his best years are behind him.

It’s not all bad for Hamilton. He currently sits fourth in the rankings and has enjoyed four top-three finishes so far in 2023. In fact, three consecutive podiums had threatened to put him back into form and lead a late charge on champion-elect Verstappen’s crown.

The most recent of those came at Silverstone, Hamilton’s spiritual home where he’d won the British Grand Prix in three of the previous four years. Despite falling down into seventh, he managed to fight his way back up the order to end the race in third.

But he’s failed to build on that momentum, missing out on the podium in the most recent two races and looking well off Verstappen’s pace. A disastrous showing at the Hungarian Grand Prix saw Hamilton finish fourth, despite starting the race in pole position.

It remains to be seen who Hamilton will be driving for next year. His Mercedes future is up in the air, with his deal expiring at the end of season, and he’s reportedly received an offer to jump ship and join Ferrari.

Having not won the World Championship since 2020, Hamilton may fancy a fresh start. He’s made it clear he has no intention of retiring until he edges ahead of Michael Schumacher, who he’s currently level with on seven titles. But time is running out for the legend and with Verstappen in a league of his own, Hamilton will have to wait until 2024 before he can finish on top for a record eighth time.

Watch the rest of the Formula 1 season in style

There are still 10 races to go and regardless of Verstappen’s lead, every single Grand Prix guarantees unmissable drama.

We offer exclusive hospitality packages for every single race, so why not join us and enjoy the action from the best seats in the house.

Lando Norris driving McLaren MCL60 at the Formula 1

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