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Author: Harry Howes

The best holiday destinations for 2025

Posted on by Harry Howes

The recent hot weather has got us all dreaming of summer, with the whole country desperate to turn on their ‘out of office’ and swap their laptops for sun, sea and cocktails.

Whether you’re planning on going away with your friends and family, have a work trip to organise or simply fancy a solo adventure, we’ve put together some of our favourite holiday destinations.

Barcelona

For those looking to combine a city break with a relaxing beach trip, destinations don’t get much more ideal than Barcelona. It’s one of the most vibrant cities in Spain, with so much to do – and it’s just a stone’s throw from some of the best beaches Europe has to offer.

Barcelona’s a city steeped in history and culture – visit the Sagrada Família, take a stroll down La Rambla and enjoy a sangria or two on the beach. And if you’re in a sporty mood, why not combine your trip with some live action?

Head to the Nou Camp to see Barcelona continue their quest for the La Liga title or head to Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for the Spanish Grand Prix at the end of May. As part of Engage’s ROAM package, we’ll do the hard work for you by arranging accommodation, transfers and luxury hospitality at the iconic Formula One event.

Join us for a three night stay from Friday 30th May until Sunday 1st June – enquire today to reserve your place.

Paris

Just like Barcelona, Paris is perfect for a city break, although the weather is slightly more unpredictable. Known as the city of love, the French capital is ideal for a romantic weekend away with your other half – but don’t worry, there’s plenty to do once you’re bored of each other’s company.

If you can handle heights, a trip to the top of the Eiffel Tower is always worth it for unrivalled views of the city. Plus, a river cruise down the Seine is the best way to see Paris’ essential landmarks, including the Louvre and the Notre-Dame Cathedral.

It’s the home of football giants Paris Saint-Germain so sports fans can enjoy an evening of Ligue 1 or Champions League action. And for tennis lovers, why not time your trip to coincide with the French Open at Roland-Garros, which gets underway at the end of May?

Milan

Versatile holiday destinations don’t get much better than Milan. By using the Italian city as a base, you’ll be able to have multiple holidays in one. Explore the city to enjoy the shopping scene and historical landmarks including the stunning Duomo di Milano.

Then if you fancy something a bit different from the city culture, you can hop on a train to the stunning lakes. Both Lake Como and Lake Garda are just a short train ride away and offer picturesque views, with countless beautiful little towns to spend the day getting lost in, including Como and Bellagio.

Plus, if you time your trip right, you can make the most of the other ROAM holiday package we have to offer. This September, we’re offering Engage customers the chance to join us for three nights in Lake Como to enjoy the Italian Grand Prix at Autodromo Nazionale Monza. Enquire today to reserve your place.

New York

If you fancy getting out of Europe, why not consider New York? You can get to the Big Apple in around seven hours from the UK, meaning a short trip is just about manageable with minimal jet lag. It’s one of the most popular destinations on the planet for a reason, with plenty to see, including the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Central Park and Times Square.

As well as all the local landmarks, there’s also plenty of sport to enjoy. There’s something for everyone, whether you fancy watching the US Open at Flushing Meadows in August, taking in some baseball watching the New York Yankees, enjoying some hoops with the New York Knicks or getting your NFL fix with the New York Giants.

Singapore

As we continue on the theme of combining holiday destinations with sporting events, there are so many to choose from on the Formula One calendar, including Las Vegas, Brazil, Mexico and Monaco. If you’re in the mood for somewhere a bit different, why not consider Singapore?

The Singapore Grand Prix takes place in October, which will give you some much-needed sun when the UK summer heat has well and truly disappeared. A trip to Singapore will open you up to a brand-new culture, offer incredible new food opportunities and can be used as a springboard for a wider Asian trip, with Malaysia and Indonesia close by.

The Michelin-Starred Chefs at Engage Events

Posted on by Harry Howes

If you’ve ever joined us in one of our hospitality facilities, you’ll know that the food is always second to none. That’s because we work with some of the best chefs around, offering delicious bespoke menus.

This summer, we’re heading back to the Henley Royal Regatta and we’re delighted to be working with two of the finest chefs on the planet. Both Angela Hartnett and Tommy Banks will be providing the meals in our hospitality suites during the iconic event.

So, as we look forward to yet another unforgettable week in Oxfordshire, we thought we’d take a closer look at our two guest chefs.

Angela Hartnett

A protege of Gordon Ramsay, Angela has become a household name in British cuisine and can often be found cooking up a storm on our television screens. She was previously Chef-Patron at Angela Hartnett at the Connaught in London and is now Chef-Patron in several places, including Murano in Mayfair and Café Murano in St James’s, Covent Garden and Bermondsey, as well as at Cucina Angelina in France.

She earned her first Michelin star way back in 2004 and hasn’t looked back since. Angela’s first TV appearance came during the maiden series of Hell’s Kitchen on ITV. Since then, she’s been on countless shows, including MasterChef, Kitchen Criminals, Take on the Takeaway, Tomorrow’s Food and Best Home Cook.

Angela is also an OBE and hosts the Waitrose podcast Dish alongside legendary radio DJ Nick Grimshaw. An incredible chef and even better personality, she’ll be joining us at the Royal Henley Regatta and you’ll be able to sample her food by joining us in our ICON facility on days two and three of the event.

She’s designed a bespoke four-course lunch menu that will ensure the food matches the views and atmosphere of the day. As well as the delicious meal and exciting rowing action, by joining us in our ICON facility you’ll also be able to enjoy all of this:

●    Complimentary bar including wines, champagne, spirits, beers and soft drinks
●    Champagne and canapé reception
●    Traditional afternoon tea
●    Riverside Boat Cruise
●    Live DJ and saxophonist
●    Complimentary race programme
●    Car parking passes
●    ICON ambassadors
●    Private garden area
●    Barista service

Enquire today to reserve your place.

Tommy Banks

As well as Angela Hartnett, we’ll also be working with another Michelin-starred chef at the Henley Royal Regatta. We’re delighted that Tommy Banks will be joining us on Saturday 5th July to offer a five-course tasting experience.

Having first come from a farming background, Tommy learned to cook at the age of 17 when his parents bought The Black Swan pub and restaurant in Oldstead, North Yorkshire, that he still owns. He learned his trade by volunteering in several Michelin-starred restaurants and The Black Swan earned its first star in 2012.

A year later, he took over as head chef and aged 24 he became the youngest chef to hold a Michelin star when the restaurant retained its status. He’s made plenty of TV appearances and he won the BBC show Great British Menu in 2016.

Like Angela, he’s a regular guest on shows such as Saturday Kitchen and Sunday Brunch. Tommy was also the co-host of The Big Family Cooking Showdown, while he’s also since returned to Great British Menu as a judge.

The multi-award winning-winning chef will be hosting an unmissable experience, talking guests through his illustrious career and innovative cooking techniques before serving a delicious five-course feast alongside paired wines. Plus, by taking advantage of our hospitality offering, you’ll also be able to enjoy all this:

●    Champagne reception
●    Complimentary bar including paired wines, champagne, spirits, beers and soft drinks
●    Tommy Banks afternoon tea
●    Live DJ and saxophonist throughout the day
●    Complimentary race programme
●    Car parking passes
●    Private garden area
●    Barista service

The Henley Royal Regatta is set to be an incredible week and as well as our Angela Hartnett and Tommy Banks experiences, we’re also offering private chalets, river cruises and tables in our Temple Island restaurant.

Get in touch today to reserve your place.

The ultimate guide to the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show

Posted on by Harry Howes

Spring is officially here! The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the organisers of the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show are working around the clock to bring us yet another showpiece event.

Once again, the Royal Horticultural Society is putting on a five-day flower extravaganza, celebrating the best gardeners, flower arrangers and all round green-fingered experts on the planet.

The event has been a British tradition since the 1860s, before it was officially named the Chelsea Flower Show back in 1912. Since then, it has grown into a global phenomenon, with thousands of people flocking to Kensington each year and even more enjoying it on TV.

As well as showing off incredible displays of horticultural excellence, the show also offers tips to budding gardeners, with demonstrations on how to make the most from your outdoor space, whether it’s a balcony or a smaller garden.

It doesn’t matter if you’re a gardener with 50 years of experience or you’ve never even picked up a pair of gardening gloves, there really is something for everyone to enjoy at the Chelsea Flower Show.

There are plenty of awards to be handed out across the week. Gardeners putting on displays can be awarded Gold, Silver-gilt, Silver or Bronze in each of the categories. Apart from feature gardens, all gardens at the show are judged, including exhibits in the Great Pavilion.

As well as the judged categories, there are also the People’s Choice Awards each year. Visitors can vote for their favourite gardens as they wander round the event, with three categories for the public to vote in.

When is the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show?

This year’s event gets underway on Tuesday 20th May, running for five days until the weekend. The first two days are only for RHS members, with the public allowed to buy tickets from day three.

●    Day 1 – Tuesday 20th May
●    Day 2 – Wednesday 21st May
●    Day 3 – Thursday 22nd May
●    Day 4 – Friday 23rd May
●    Day 5 – Saturday 24th May

Hospitality at the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show

As the Chelsea Flower Show is such a glamorous, high-profile event, we’re proud to offer a range of hospitality packages that allow our guests to enjoy the festivities in style. You’ll be able to enjoy a day of taking in the stunning displays before indulging in delicious food, complimentary drinks and plenty more.

We offer two different hospitality options, one of which is in the morning, with the other available in the afternoon and evening.

Spring Meridian

Our daytime package is for guests arriving first thing in the morning and keeps you entertained throughout the day. As well as access to the Chelsea Flower Show, you’ll be able to enjoy all of this:

●    Light breakfast with brunch cocktails
●    Four-course lunch
●    Afternoon tea with Spanish small plates in the garden
●    Garden bar including Champagne and hand-crafted cocktails
●    Barista coffee
●    Live entertainment including pianist and live band
●    Live event artist and flower crown experiences
●    Show programme
●    Private cloakroom

Spring Nocturne

For those arriving a little bit later, our Spring Nocturne facility is open until late in the evening and you’ll be able to make the most of all this:

●    Champagne and canapé reception
●    Four-course dinner
●    Bar snacks
●    Garden fromagerie station with paired wines
●    Garden bar including Champagne and hand-crafted cocktails
●    Live entertainment from roaming band
●    Live event artist and flower crown experiences
●    Show programme
●    Private cloakroom

Chelsea Flower Show dress code

With lots of walking around expected, the dress code isn’t overly formal in order to keep guests comfortable. A smart-casual look with a combination of polished garments and casual elements is ideal.

With guests often treading across grass, we’d recommend ladies don’t wear stiletto heels to avoid getting caught in the ground.

How to get there

The Chelsea Flower Show takes place in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, right next to the banks of the River Thames. It’s easily accessible from anywhere in London, with Sloane Square the closest underground station. It’s on the Circle and District lines and is around a 10 minute walk away.

Victoria is the closest mainline train station and is just a short bus journey away. If you’re planning on driving, we recommend pre-booking a parking spot in Battersea Park, which is just the other side of the Thames. You’ll then be able to take the shuttle bus that runs all day. The bus is also open to those not using the car park.

And if you’re planning on dressing to impress, why not go full James Bond and arrive by boat? Uber Boat and Thames Clipper services run throughout the day, with drop-offs at Cadogan Pier and Battersea Power Station.


Who will win this season’s FA Cup?

Posted on by Harry Howes

After eight months of action, 745 entrants and 741 matches, we have this season’s four FA Cup semi-finalists. Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest all have a day out at Wembley to look forward to later this month.

They’ll all be hoping to be back at the iconic venue for the final on Saturday 17th May – but there can only be one winner. Following yet another exciting weekend of cup football, we’ve taken a closer look at each of the final four.

FA Cup quarter-final results

Saturday 29th March

Fulham 0-3 Crystal Palace
Brighton and Hove Albion 0-0 Nottingham Forest (Forest won 4-3 on penalties)

Sunday 30th March

Preston North End 0-3 Aston Villa
Bournemouth 1-2 Manchester City

FA Cup Hospitality

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Aston Villa look to end trophy drought

Villa as a club are established winners in this competition, with seven titles, but their last one came way back in 1957. They reached the final in 2015 but were roundly humbled by Arsenal in a 4-0 defeat.

They’ll be desperate to win their first major trophy since 1996 as they look to continue their incredible resurgence of the last few years. Since Unai Emery took charge, they’ve established themselves back at the top table of English football and have a Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain on the horizon.

If they can get through that, the FA Cup will feel insignificant in comparison, although they’ll still have dreams of going all the way. They eased past Preston on Sunday, winning 3-0 thanks to Marcus Rashford’s first two goals in Villa colours.

While Palace in the semis won’t be easy, they now possess players with a history of stepping up in big games. As well as Rashford, the likes of Marco Asensio, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins have experience in high-profile situations.

Meanwhile, Youri Tielemans knows the FA Cup like the back of his hand, having struck the winner as Leicester beat Chelsea in the 2021 final.

Crystal Palace dream of first ever major trophy

Fans of Crystal Palace are getting used to FA Cup days out at Wembley, although they’re yet to see their side lift the famous trophy. They suffered heartbreak in 2016 when Manchester United came from behind to beat them in the 2016 final, 26 years after their last Wembley meeting.

Patrick Vieira guided the Eagles to the semi-finals in his first season three years ago, but he was unable to find a way to beat Chelsea. Yet things feel different this time, with proven winner Oliver Glasner at the helm.

The Austrian is no stranger to silverware, having masterminded Europa League success with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022. And with Palace on a run that’s seen them win 10 of their last 12 games, they’re hitting form just at the right time.

They brushed Fulham aside with ease in their quarter-final clash on Saturday to set up a semi-final against Aston Villa. And while Unai Emery’s side is packed with quality and will likely be favourites, Palace have already beaten them twice this season, including a 4-1 thumping in February.

Can Manchester City rescue their season with an FA Cup win?

It’s been a strange season for many reasons, not least because Manchester City only have one trophy on their radar. They’re out of the Champions League and their title hopes are long gone, meaning the FA Cup is their only chance of silverware this season.

They’re also not guaranteed a Champions League spot this season, meaning the next few weeks could be pivotal for Pep Guardiola’s side. They’ve endured an uncharacteristically poor campaign, thanks to a combination of disappointing individual performances and injuries.

Former talisman Kevin De Bruyne has struggled for fitness and has been far from his best when available. Meanwhile, the likes of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish haven’t delivered, while Rodri has spent much of the campaign sidelined.

In previous years, City would be the odds-on favourites to go all the way in the FA Cup based on the semi-final line-up. But with a tricky test against Forest followed by either Villa or Palace, they’ll have to be at their very best to guarantee their eighth FA Cup.

Will Nottingham Forest’s dream season continue?

It’s fitting that it’s April Fools’ Day because if you’d have told Nottingham Forest’s fans at the start of the season they’d be fighting for a Champions League spot and an FA Cup on 1st April, most of them would have laughed in your face.

Yet remarkably, that’s where they find themselves as we approach the business end of an astonishing season for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side. They edged into the semi-finals with their third consecutive FA Cup penalty shootout win, this time getting the better of Brighton.

And they find themselves third in the Premier League, five points clear of Chelsea in fourth. Their resilient defence combined with their energetic, pacey attack has seen them blow sides away this year, while Chris Wood has been rolling back the years up top.

The New Zealand international is set for a spell on the sidelines but Forest will feel they have adequate cover and fear nobody, particularly semi-final opponents Man City. They beat them in their last meeting just a few weeks ago and with City far from their best this season, it really will be anyone’s game when they meet at Wembley.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations: France pip England to title on dramatic final day

Posted on by Harry Howes

After a thrilling few weeks of rugby, the Guinness Men’s Six Nations is over for another year. On a dramatic final day, France were crowned champions as they ended their incredible tournament with a convincing win over Scotland.

England did everything they could to put the pressure on by thumping Wales but it wasn’t quite enough in the end. Meanwhile, Ireland also ended their campaign with a win as they came out on top in their clash with Italy.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations Table

TeamPlayedWonDrawLostPoints DifferenceBonusPoints
1France5401125521
2England540174420
3Ireland540118319
4Scotland5203-16311
5Italy5104-8215
6Wales5005-11933

Ireland bow out with win in Italy

Italy 17-22 Ireland

While Ireland started the day with hopes of securing a third successive Guinness Men’s Six Nations title, it was never likely considering the form of England and France. Yet on St Patrick’s Day weekend, there was positivity as a narrow win over Italy put Ireland top of the table, at least temporarily.

Having looked like champions elect for much of the last month, Ireland’s dramatic defeat at home to France last week took the wind out of their sails. And they weren’t at their dominant best in Rome, despite eventually getting the job done.

Monty Ioane opened the scoring as his try put Italy into the lead after 12 minutes. But after a shaky start, Ireland recovered and led at the break thanks to tries from Hugo Keenan and Dan Sheehan.

Italy made things harder for themselves after the break when Ross Vintcent was shown a red card for a high hit on Keenan. And the man advantage allowed Sheehan to complete a hat-trick and secure Ireland the win.

All good things must come to an end and while Ireland’s Guinness Men’s Six Nations dominance is over for now, you can guarantee they’ll be back even stronger next year as they look to win back their crown.

England put woeful Wales to the sword

Wales 14-68 England

Ahead of their final game in Cardiff, England’s mission was clear: win the match and put the pressure on France. Their Guinness Men’s Six Nations fate was not in their hands and they needed Scotland to do them a favour later that evening.

While France ultimately had the final say, England did everything they could, and in some style. Wales had been on a run of 16 consecutive defeats and in front of a roaring home crowd, they would have felt that they could turn things around against their noisy neighbours.

But Maro Itoje soon put an end to that as the experienced lock opened the scoring in the third minute. Wales thought they were back in it through a spectacular Blair Murray try but after it was disallowed, England took advantage and raced into a 33-7 half-time lead.

And they didn’t take their foot off the gas in the second half as they ran away with it, ending the game with an incredible 10 tries. Two of those came from debutant Henry Pollock, who enjoyed a dream first outing for the national side.

For England, it was an incredible afternoon and while it ultimately didn’t end with the Guinness Men’s Six Nations trophy, it certainly gives them huge hope going forward. But for Wales, the inquest now begins.

Warren Gatland left his role as coach midway through the competition and others may follow. Wales’ last Test win came way back in October 2023 and after claiming their second successive wood spoon, who knows when their next one will come.

France see off Scotland to win Guinness Men’s Six Nations

France 35-16 Scotland

With France’s clash against Scotland coming last on the final day, they knew they only needed to win to be crowned champions. Their superior points difference meant that a bonus point wasn’t even necessary, which took the pressure off.

But rather than win ugly, France did what France so often do and scored four tries as they raced into the history books. The champions ended the competition with 30 tries, breaking the record England set way back in 2001.

Eight of those tries came from Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who equalled the all-time single-season championship record. France claimed their second Guinness Men’s Six Nations title in four years, having last won it back in 2022.

Yet while the final result makes it seem like a walk in the park, it was anything but easy in the first half. Scotland battled well and only Thomas Ramos’ late penalty separated the two sides at the break.

England may well have been rubbing their hands at that point but it was short-lived, with Bielle-Biarrey’s early second-half try putting France back in the ascendancy. A Finn Russell penalty earned Scotland’s only points in the second half, which allowed France to comfortably take the points and secure their seventh title since the competition expanded to six nations.

The biggest music festivals to look forward to in 2025

Posted on by Harry Howes

Dust off your tent and get your novelty flags ordered – festival season is nearly back! The British summer wouldn’t be the same without a weekend of camping, sunshine (or rain!) and some incredible live music.

There are so many festivals to look forward to and with the line-ups slowly being released, we’ve put together a guide to the best ones.

Glastonbury

Dates: Wednesday 25th to Sunday 29th June

The greatest music festival on the planet returns to Somerset this summer, with thousands of lucky ticket holders set to flock to the southwest of England in June. Despite tickets selling out months in advance, the full line-up was only released last week.

The 1975, Neil Young and Olivia Rodrigo have been announced as the headliners, although the trio have all appeared at the festival before. Neil Young tore up the Pyramid Stage back in 2009 and he’ll be joined by his new band The Chrome Hearts this time around.

Meanwhile, The 1975 will be making their fourth appearance at Glastonbury, having previously appeared in 2013, 2014 and 2016. It’s also not the first time at Worthy Farm for Olivia Rodrigo. The American sensation appeared on the Other Stage three years ago.

This year’s line-up is packed with superstars, with the likes of Rod Stewart, Loyle Carner, Biffy Clyro, Charli XCX, Raye and The Prodigy also set to perform.

Reading and Leeds

Dates: Friday 22nd to Sunday 24th August

While Glastonbury routinely steals the show each summer, Reading and Leeds are never too far behind. The iconic festivals traditionally share a line-up across the August bank holiday and they’ve had some huge names perform in recent years, including Liam Gallagher, Lana Del Rey, Arctic Monkeys and Sam Fender.

They’ve continued that trend this year, with Hozier, Chappell Roan, Bring Me The Horizon and Travis Scott announced as the headliners. As well as those huge names, fans will be excited to see the likes of D-Block Europe, Bloc Party, The Kooks and loads more yet to be confirmed.

Isle of Wight

Dates: Thursday 19th to Sunday 22nd June

For festival fans not on the mainland, or those that fancy hopping on a ferry for a weekend break, then the Isle of Wight Festival is for you. Having started back in the 1960s, it was revived in 2002 and has seen the likes of The Rolling Stones, Amy Winehouse, Fleetwood Mac and Paul McCartney headline the main stage.

The superstar names keep on coming this year, with Sting, Stereophonics and Justin Timberlake set to close each night of the weekend. And that’s not all because ticket holders can enjoy sets from Faithless, The Script, Paul Heaton, Jess Glynne and plenty more.

BST Hyde Park

Dates: Friday 27th, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June, Friday 4th, Saturday 5th, Sunday 6th, Friday 11th and Sunday 13th July

If you don’t like the idea of sleeping in a tent and having to face the dreaded festival toilets, there are countless day festivals in London to enjoy instead. BST Hyde Park gets bigger and better every year, with incredible line-ups across a few weekends in June and July.

After rocking the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, both Olivia Rodrigo and Neil Young will be performing in the capital. Plus, after an incredible year, Sabrina Carpenter is set to wow her British fans with two unmissable performances in Hyde Park.

There are also shows to look forward to from Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan and Jeff Lynne’s ELO and you can enjoy them all in style with Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages.

Hampton Court Palace Festival

Dates: Wednesday 11th to Saturday 21st June

Why not combine your festival experience with some essential British history? Enjoy some of the best acts around at Hampton Court Palace Festival, where you can take a stroll around Henry VIII’s stunning former gardens before enjoying some live music.

Once again, we’ll be offering hospitality at this incredible festival, where you can make the most of exclusive food and drinks packages while taking in a show from some of the best acts around.

Among the headliners this year are Tom Jones, Gary Barlow, Elbow and Rag’n’Bone Man. Plus, you can also see performances from Chaka Khan, James, Bananarama, The Good, The Bad and The Rugby and 10CC.

Henley Festival

Dates: Wednesday 9th to Sunday 13th July

Swap your muddy wellies for your tux at the classiest music festival around. The Henley Festival is a black-tie event, with the headliners performing on the iconic Floating Stage upon the Thames.

Enjoy music, comedy and art, with some of the biggest acts around. This year’s headliners include Diana Ross, McFly, Rick Astley and Jamie Cullum. Meanwhile, if you’d like a laugh, head to the comedy tent to enjoy sets from Ivo Graham, Ed Byrne and Alastair McGowan.

We offer bespoke hospitality packages to suit your needs, providing you with exclusive access to the festival, food and drinks packages, plus loads more. Enquire today to reserve your place.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations: France, England, Ireland and Scotland in four-way title fight

Posted on by Harry Howes

The Guinness Men’s Six Nations returned with a bang at the weekend, blowing the title race wide open ahead of the final round of fixtures. Following France’s triumphant win in Ireland, they’re now in the driving seat.

But we’re set for a weekend full of twists and turns, with four nations still in with a mathematical chance of lifting the trophy. England need Scotland to do them a favour against France – they take on Wales, who look set to pick up a second consecutive wooden spoon.

Who can still win the Guinness Men’s Six Nations?

France
The French last won the Guinness Men’s Six Nations back in 2022 and they’re now the firm favourites to lift the trophy. They’re currently top of the table and will be guaranteed to win if they beat Scotland with a bonus point in the final game of the weekend.

They can also win without a bonus point and even if they lose or draw, provided England and Ireland fail to get maximum points and don’t catch their hefty points difference.

England
England need rivals Scotland to help them out by beating France – they’ll claim the championship for the first time since 2020 if they win with a bonus point and France fail to win.

Drawing or losing with bonus points could also secure them the title if France and Ireland both lose. If England finish level on points with France, they’ll need to beat them on points difference, although France currently have an 86-point lead.

Ireland
Ireland slipped to third in the table following their defeat to France, but they still have a chance of securing their third consecutive title. They need to beat Italy with a bonus point and hope France and England both fail to win.

Scotland
It’s been 26 years since Scotland’s last title and they’ll likely have to wait even longer for their next one – although they still have a very slim chance this year.

They need to beat France with a bonus point while also surpassing them on points difference, with the gap currently at 103 points. Plus, they also need England and Ireland to lose.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations Table

TeamPlayedWonDrawLostPoints DifferenceBonusPoints
1France4301106416
2England430120315
3Ireland430113214
4Scotland42023311
5Italy4103-7704
6Wales4004-6533

France beat Ireland to race into pole position

Ireland 27-42 France

Rewind a couple of weeks and Ireland were sitting pretty at the top of the table, dreaming of a second Grand Slam in three years. But they came unstuck against a resolute France at the weekend and now find themselves third in the table.

A low-scoring first half saw France’s Louis Bielle-Biarrey score the only try before the break. Dan Sheehan got one back for Ireland two minutes after half-time, which set the tone for a frantic second half.

An end-to-end second period saw seven tries in total, with France edging the scoring thanks to a confident kicking display from Thomas Ramos. They now welcome Scotland to Paris and may have the title all but won before kick-off, with their clash coming last.

But they’ll sorely miss talisman Antoine Dupont, who left the field with a serious knee injury against Ireland. And convincing bonus point wins from England and Ireland will crank up the pressure, which could see France struggle.

Wooden spoon looms for Wales after defeat in Scotland

Scotland 35-29 Wales

Wales will have travelled to Scotland thinking it might finally be their week after they suffered their 15th consecutive defeat against Ireland last time out. But a 16th defeat was inevitable after Scotland blew them away before the break, racing into a 28-8 half-time lead.

Despite their poor start, Warren Gatland’s half-time team talk clearly had some impact as they were much improved after the break and scored three tries to make the score respectable.

But Scotland’s lead was unassailable by then and they ultimately ran out comfortable winners. For Wales, they’re set for another wooden spoon. Meanwhile, Scotland will be dreaming of the title – they still mathematically have a chance of winning, however unlikely it may be.

England dream of title as they see off Italy

England 47-24 Italy

England started as they meant to go on against Italy as Tom Willis opened the scoring with a try in the third minute. However, despite an impressive second-half display, Italy didn’t initially make it too easy.

The visitors pegged them back twice in the first half, before Ollie Sleightholme went over for a third to give England a four-point advantage at the break. And once they stepped out for the second half, there was only going to be one winner.

England were imperious at Twickenham, scoring three tries in the opening 12 minutes of the second half. The impressive performance was capped off by a seventh try from Ben Earl right at the death.

Steve Borthwick’s side showed that they mean business as they take the title fight to the final weekend. They’ll expect to get past Wales, and then face a nervous wait as France take on Scotland in the final game of a busy Saturday.

Guinness Men’s Six Nations week five fixtures

Italy v Ireland – Saturday 15th March, 14:15
Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Wales v England – Saturday 15th March, 16:45
Principality Stadium, Cardiff

France v Scotland – Saturday 15th March, 20:00
Stade de France, Paris

Cheltenham Festival 2025: Everything you need to know

Posted on by Harry Howes

Saddle up! Winter is just about behind us but for racing fans up and down the country, Christmas is coming very early this year. That’s because we’re just a few days away from the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

One of the biggest racing events on the planet is returning to sunny Gloucestershire next Tuesday, with four days of top-class action to look forward to. The world’s best horses and jockeys are set to compete across 28 races, with plenty of familiar faces ready for battle.

Paul Townend and Galopin Des Champs are targeting a hat-trick in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Meanwhile, Nicky Henderson’s Constitution Hill has his eyes on the prize in the Champion Hurdle, although they’ll face stiff competition from Brighterdaysahead.

There are countless iconic races scheduled at Cheltenham, including the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle. And you can enjoy all of the action from the best seats in the house in our exclusive ICON facility.

As well as a day out enjoying top-class racing and impeccable views from the balcony, you’ll also be able to make the most of a champagne reception, a complimentary bar and a four-course premium lunch. Plus, expert tipsters will be on hand to help you place your bets and (hopefully!) win you some money.

The fun starts on Tuesday and as the excitement builds, we’ve put together the ultimate guide of everything you need to know, as well as a handy tip for some of the big races (prices correct as of Tuesday 4th March).

Who are the favourites?

Galopin des Champs remains the bookies’ favourite for the Gold Cup, with Banbridge the current likely challenger. Meanwhile, Jonbon is odds-on to claim the Champion Chase as he looks to end his Cheltenham curse – all three of his defeats have come on the famous course.

Kopek Des Bordes is the runaway favourite to claim the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, with Willie Mullins expecting him to go well. Elsewhere, Teahupoo is expected to lead the pack in the Stayers Hurdle.

While many of the biggest races have a clear favourite, the same can’t be said of the Coral Cup. Kopek De Mee is edging the bookies’ choices at the moment, although it’s an open field and Be Aware, Wodhooh and Impose Toi aren’t too far behind.

Cheltenham Festival race schedule

All tips are from our friends over at Nose in Front (@noseinfront_official) – listen to their Cheltenham previews on Spotify here.

Day 1 – Tuesday 11th March

1:20pm – The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – Kopek Des Bordes 5/6 / William Munny 14/1
2:00pm – The My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase – Majborough 8/13
2:40pm – The Ultima Handicap Chase
3:20pm – The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle – Jade De Grugy 15/8
4:00pm – The Unibet Champion Hurdle – Constitution Hill 8/11
4:40pm – The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
5:20pm – The National Hunt Novices’ Chase

Day 2 – Wednesday 12th March

1:20pm – The Turners Novices’ Hurdle – The Yellow Clay 6/1
2:00pm – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase – Lecky Watson 16/1 / Gorgeous Tom 25/1
2:40pm – The Coral Cup Hurdle
3:20pm – The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase – Jonbon 10/11 / Marine National 6/1
4:00pm – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
4:40pm – The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase Challenge Cup
5:20pm – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper – Bambino Fever 7/1

Day 3 – Thursday 13th March

1:20pm – The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle – Sixandahalf 10/3 / Air of Entitlement 20/1
2:00pm – The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
2:40pm – The Pertemps Network Final
3:20pm – The Ryanair Chase – Fact to File 7/4 / Protektorat 7/1
4:00pm – The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle – Teahupoo 1/1 / Lucky Place 10/1 / Jetara 50/1
4:40pm – The TrustATrader Plate
5:20pm – The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

Day 4 – Friday 14th March

1:20pm – The JCB Triumph Hurdle – East India Dock 15/8 / Charlus 40/1
2:00pm – The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
2:40pm – The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase – Only By Night 6/1
3:20pm – The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – The Big Westerner 5/1 / Jet Blue 16/1 / Argento Boy 33/1
4:00pm – The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase – Galopin Des Champs 8/15 / Corbetts Cross 20/1
4:40pm – The St James’s Place Festival Chase
5:20pm – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival dress code

As it’s a day out of the races, you’re encouraged to dress your best but unlike Royal Ascot, the dress code is fairly relaxed. If you’re joining us in our hospitality areas, there are some rules.

Men must be wearing a jacket and tie or a suit. Ladies will need to be dressed in smart day wear – hats are optional.

Getting to Cheltenham

The closest train station is Cheltenham Spa, which is around four miles from the racecourse. You’re more than welcome to channel your inner Desert Orchid and gallop to the track – although we’d recommend jumping in a taxi or taking the shuttle bus service, which costs £5.

Those driving from the north should exit the M5 at junction 9 and continue via Evesham Road (A435). Take a left into Southam Lane and enter the North Car Park via entrance 10. If you’re coming from the south, leave the M5 at junction 11, follow the A40 and A4013 and the signs for ‘Green Route’ will take you to the racecourse.

International Women’s Day: The biggest events in women’s sport

Posted on by Harry Howes

With International Women’s Day taking place this Saturday, it’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate women’s sport. There are so many incredible events to look forward to this year, particularly in football, cricket, golf and tennis. We’ve taken a closer look at some of the showpiece events, which you can join us at from the best seats in the house.

Women’s football

As we enter March, we’re heading towards the business end of the football season, but there’s still so much action to look forward to. All eyes are on the Women’s Euros in Switzerland this summer, where Sarina Wiegman’s England side are looking to retain their crown.

The Lionesses face stiff competition, with France and the Netherlands in their group, and they’ve got four Nations Leagues games to navigate before their attention turns to the Euros.

Meanwhile, many members of their squad will be hoping to have already won some fresh silverware before they arrive for international duty. The Women’s League Cup final takes place next weekend, with Chelsea meeting Manchester City in a repeat of the 2022 final. Chelsea have lost each of the last three finals and they’ll be looking to bounce back to claim their third title.

Elsewhere, the FA Cup final and Champions League final both take place in May, as does the final round of Women’s Super League fixtures. As it stands, Chelsea are in pole position to secure their sixth successive WSL title, but there’s plenty of football to play between now and then.

Key dates:

Women’s League Cup final – Saturday 15th March, Pride Park Stadium
Women’s FA Cup final – Sunday 18th May, Wembley Stadium
Women’s Champions League final – Saturday 24th May, Estádio José Alvalade
Women’s Nations League
England v Belgium – Friday 4th April, Ashton Gate
Belgium v England – Tuesday 8th April, King Power at Den Dreef Stadion
England v Portugal – Friday 30th May, Wembley Stadium
Spain v England – Tuesday 3rd June, TBC
Women’s Euro 2025 – Wednesday 2nd to Sunday 27th July

Women’s cricket

We’re set for a busy summer of women’s cricket both internationally and domestically. Ahead of the Women’s World Cup in India later this year, England are set for a few white-ball warm-up clashes.

They’ll host both the West Indies and India in a series of T20 and One Day Internationals as they look to knock their way into some form. England are looking to win the World Cup for the fifth time – they came so close last time, losing to Australia in the final.

Elsewhere, the country’s best county sides will be vying for glory in the T20 Blast and the One-Day Cup. The finals of those competitions take place in July and September respectively – sandwiched in between will be the fifth season of The Hundred, with London Spirit looking to defend their crown.

Key dates:

England v West Indies women – IT20
Wednesday 21st May – The Spitfire Ground
Friday 23rd May – The 1st Central County Ground
Monday 26th May – The Cloud County Ground

England v West Indies women – ODI
Friday 30th May – The County Ground
Wednesday 4th June – Upstonsteel County Ground
Saturday 7th June – The Cooper Associates County Ground

England v India women – IT20
Saturday 28th June – Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Tuesday 1st July – Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
Friday 4th July – Kia Oval, London
Wednesday 9th July – Emirates Old Trafford
Saturday 12th July – Edgbaston

England v India women ODI
Wednesday 16th July – Utilita Bowl
Saturday 19th July – Lord’s
Tuesday 22nd July – Riverside

Women’s T20 Blast finals day – Friday 27th July, The Oval
The Hundred – Tuesday 5th to Sunday 31st August
The Hundred final – Sunday 31st August
Women’s One-Day Cup final – Saturday 27th September, Rose Bowl
Women’s Cricket World Cup – October 2025

AIG Women’s Open

Wednesday 30th July to Sunday 3rd August

As always, there are five major championships to look forward to in women’s golf this year, culminating in the AIG Women’s Open this summer. The 2025 edition will be the competition’s 49th event and the first time it has ever taken place in Wales.

The Women’s Open is set to be held at the picturesque Royal Porthcawl Golf Club on Wales’ south coast, where the sea is visible from every hole. Lydia Ko is looking to claim successive titles after claiming her third major women’s title at St Andrews last year.

However, history suggests she won’t be successful – the last 14 Women’s Open championships have resulted in 14 different winners.

Key dates:

Chevron Championship – 24th to 27th April, Texas
U.S. Women’s Open – 12th to 15th June, Pennsylvania
Women’s PGA Championship – 19th to 22nd June, Texas
Amundi Evian Championship – 10th to 13th July, France
AIG Women’s Open – 30th July to 3rd August, Wales

HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club – WTA500

It’s a huge summer for women’s tennis as for the first time in more than 50 years, Queen’s Club is set to host a WTA event. It’s an historic venue for ATP Tour events and this year, the best female players in the world are set to flock to the iconic tennis club in West Kensington.

The HSBC Championships will serve as a warm-up for Wimbledon, which takes place a couple of weeks later. Emma Raducanu will be looking to win the competition on home soil as she continues her resurgence. The 2021 US Open winner is targeting some form as she looks to put her injury struggles behind her.

Key dates:

French Open – 25th May to 8th June
HSBC Championships – 9th to 15th June
Wimbledon Championships – 30th June to 13th July
US Open – 25th August to 7th September

Everything you need to know ahead of the Formula One 2025 season

Posted on by Harry Howes

The wait is almost over – the Formula One 2025 season gets underway in just over a fortnight. It’s all change on the grid, with Lewis Hamilton switching sides, while there are a few new faces set to make their F1 debuts.

But will there be a change in the standings at the end of the year? Max Verstappen is targeting a fifth consecutive world title. Can anyone get the better of him this time? Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the new season.

Can Max Verstappen be stopped?

It was the same old story in 2024 as Verstappen raced to yet another Formula One world title. The Red Bull superstar has now won four Drivers’ Championships in a row and is looking to become just the second person to claim five on the trot after Michael Schumacher achieved the feat in 2004.

Verstappen now finds himself just three titles shy of Shumacher and Hamilton at the top of the pile and with age on his side, you’d fancy his chances of ending his career with the most wins in history. The 27-year-old was imperious once again last year, winning nine races and achieving a further five podium finishes.

He wasn’t quite as dominant as his 2023 glory, where he won 19 of the 22 races, but he was still head and shoulders above the competition. Verstappen endured phases of poor form last year but crucially his nearest challengers weren’t able to capitalise when it mattered. And he’ll have learnt from those mistakes, meaning this year he could be even more imperious than ever.

Who are his likely challengers?

Despite a disappointing campaign last year, Hamilton will have a renewed energy as part of a new-look Ferrari team and he’ll fancy his chances. Prior to Verstappen’s period of dominance, Hamilton won four titles on the spin and he’s achieved a second and third place finish since then.

Elsewhere, there could be a challenge from fellow Brit Lando Norris. The McLaren driver was a surprise contender in 2024 and he ultimately finished as runner-up after winning four races. Charles Leclerc wasn’t too far behind and he’ll be looking to win the championship for the first time after three consecutive top five finishes.

A new era for Lewis Hamilton

After switching sides from Mercedes to Ferrari, Hamilton will be hoping that a new environment will bring about a change to his fortunes as he targets a record eighth world title. The legendary 40-year-old spent 12 years at Mercedes, winning all but one of his championships there, but he made the move to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 season.

Hamilton endured his lowest ever finish last year as he came seventh and he’ll be hoping to rediscover some form as he looks to edge ahead of Schumacher before he calls it a day. And he’s not the only driver set to don new colours this year.

Sergio Perez has left Red Bull following the expiration of his contract, meaning Verstappen is set to be joined by Liam Lawson. The 23-year-old rookie has been promoted, having spent the last two years as the team’s reserve driver.

Meanwhile, the Hamilton-shaped hole at Mercedes has been filled by another inexperienced face. Andrea Kimi Antonelli will join George Russell on the grid this year and at just 18 years old, he’s set to become the third-youngest driver in F1 history.

Elsewhere, Carlos Sainz Jr, who finished fifth in the standings last year, has joined Williams. The Spaniard had previously been at Ferrari but he’s been replaced by Hamilton.

When does the 2025 Formula One season start?

There’s not long to go now! The action gets underway with the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday 14th March. We’ll then be set for nine months of thrilling racing action, with 24 events to look forward to. The season comes to a close in Abu Dhabi on 7th December.

F1 season schedule

June 2025
July 2025
August 2025
September 2025
October 2025
November 2025
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