ClickCease

Author: Harry Howes

Who will reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals?

Posted on by Harry Howes

We’ve reached the quarter-final stage of the Carabao Cup and we’re set for four all Premier League clashes to see who can reach the final four. Arsenal will be keen to secure a major trophy but they face a tough prospect against in-form Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Liverpool will be looking to win the competition for the second year on the trot as they face Southampton. Ahead of the action, here’s everything you need to know.

Can Arsenal avoid a potential banana skin?

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is desperate to win another major trophy, having failed to deliver silverware to the Emirates since winning the FA Cup back in 2020. This year’s Carabao Cup represents a great opportunity to get another trophy under his belt – but games are coming thick and fast over the festive period and he may see the Premier League as his priority.

Arsenal take on Crystal Palace in their quarter-final clash in the first of two meetings in four days between the pair. Despite a tricky start to the season, Palace are in a false position in the Premier League and they’ll be a tricky test for the north London side having started to show their class in recent weeks.

The Eagles have lost just one of their last nine games in all competitions and they were imperious as they beat fierce rivals Brighton 3-1 on Sunday. And while Arsenal are a different beast with the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard at their disposal and a strong defensive unit, Palace have countless threats themselves.

Oliver Glasner’s side claimed a scalp in the last round as they won at Aston Villa. Arsenal are yet to be truly tested in the cup so far, beating Bolton and Preston to reach this stage. Palace are more than capable of causing an upset and you could see the action from the luxury of Engage’s exclusive hospitality areas – enquire today to book your place.

Newcastle face tricky test against Brentford

When the Carabao Cup quarter-final draw was made, both Newcastle and Brentford would have been licking their lips at the chance to reach the final four having avoided the big-hitters like Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Magpies reached this stage of the competition last season where they were beaten by Chelsea on penalties. The previous year they reached the final and ultimately lost to Manchester United. Meanwhile, Brentford also have recent experience in the quarter-finals – they too were knocked out by Chelsea back in the 2021/22 season.

Newcastle have been far from convincing of late but they appear to have turned their form around and they smashed Leicester 4-0 at the weekend. Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak were back among the goals and they’ll both offer a huge threat to Brentford’s backline.

Yet the visitors have attacking weapons of their own in the shape of Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa and they’ll be familiar to Newcastle – Brentford beat them 4-2 in the Premier League just 10 days ago and they’ll be confident of repeating the feat at St James’s Park tomorrow evening.

Liverpool take on managerless Southampton

While there’s certainly evidence that a new manager can instill a reactive bounce in some teams, it’s unlikely that the turnaround at Southampton will be that immediate. The Saints are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and they finally sacked Russell Martin at the weekend after a shocking first-half performance against Tottenham.

Southampton were 5-0 down at half-time and while their players will be motivated to turn things around, there are few scarier opponents to attempt to get back on track against than league leaders and reigning Carabao Cup champions Liverpool.

Arne Slot’s side were far from convincing against Fulham on Saturday and they may rest players ahead of their Premier League clash against Tottenham this weekend. But they should have too much for Southampton and have already seen off West Ham and Brighton in the competition so far.

Can Man United prevail at Tottenham?

While both Tottenham and Manchester United have not been at their best this season, both sides delivered statement wins at the weekend. Spurs have been criticised following successive defeats to Bournemouth and Chelsea but they put Southampton to the sword in a first-half rout inspired by James Maddison.

They’ll be looking to continue their momentum against a confident United side that masterminded a late comeback to stun neighbours Manchester City on Sunday. Both Ange Postecoglu and Ruben Amorim will be keen to go all the way in the Carabao Cup this season.

Spurs’ last silverware came in this competition as they beat Chelsea in the final way back in 2008. Meanwhile, United have a strong recent history, winning it for the sixth time in the 2022/23 season.

Whichever side reaches the semi-final, they’ll be confident of making it to the final and you can enjoy the clash from the best seats in the house with our exclusive hospitality packages, with food, drinks and entertainment options to suit all needs.

Can Luke Littler make history at the PDC World Darts Championship?

Posted on by Harry Howes

Some say the first sign of Christmas is the festive lights on Oxford Street being turned on. In the world of sport, it’s arguably the PDC World Darts Championship returning to Alexandra Palace.

Luckily for us, the greatest winter sport is finally back in London this weekend as the iconic event gets underway on Sunday evening. Luke Littler shocked the world last year as he reached the final and after a whirlwind year, he’ll expect to be there again. The only question is: can he be stopped again this time around?

Littler targets historic win at Ally Pally

Aged just 16, Littler started last year’s World Darts Championship as a 66/1 shot that few outside of the sport’s hardcore fanbase were aware of. Fast forward a few weeks and he was the most talked about sportsman on the planet as he narrowly lost the final to Luke Humphries.

This time around, there’s no confusion about the superstar’s talent and he’s the favourite to take the crown in the new year. Michael van Gerwen remains the youngest ever winner of the competition, having gone all the way back in 2014 at the age of 24 years and nine months.

Incredibly, that means that even if Littler doesn’t win this time around, he’ll still have another six attempts at smashing Van Gerwen’s record. He’s favourite for good reason – the now 17-year-old is the reigning Premier League Darts, Grand Slam and World Series Finals champion.

Earlier this week he was announced as a nominee for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and he’ll be desperate to add the World Championship title to his collection having missed out back in January, ultimately losing 7-4 to Humphries in the final. Since that final, Littler has won eight of the 13 meetings between the pair, although Humphries came out on top in the recent Players Championship final.

Littler’s competition gets underway on Sunday 21st December, when he’ll face the winner of Ryan Meikle and Fallon Sherrock in the second round. Like Littler, Sherrock has enjoyed time in the spotlight in recent years, having become the first ever female player to win at the World Championship back in 2019.

Who are Littler’s biggest challengers?

The obvious obstacle in Littler’s way is Humphries, who remains the highest ranked player in the world and is defending his title. The 29-year-old has won 18 PDC titles and is in strong form following that Players Championship Finals victory over Littler.

Humphries’ World Championship win last year was his fourth consecutive major title. However, he’s won just two of his five major finals since, having also secured the World Matchplay title in July, beating Van Gerwen in the final.

Van Gerwen is always a threat and is looking to win the World Darts Championship for the fourth time. The Dutchman remains one of the most successful players on the circuit, with a phenomenal 47 titles from 63 appearances in finals. However, he’s lost his last three finals, with his last success coming against Nathan Aspinall in the World Series final in 2023.

Van Gerwen’s last Ally Pally triumph came back in 2019, when he got the better of Michael Smith, although Smith got his revenge as he returned the favour in 2023. Smith could have an outside shot at claiming his second title this year, although he’s still reeling having lost the World Series final to Littler in September.

Meanwhile, Gary Anderson will fancy his chances at getting close to the final. The veteran is a two-time winner, claiming back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, and he’s lost two finals since, losing most recently to Gerwyn Price in 2021.

Elsewhere, Mike De Decker could be a dark horse for the competition, as could Wessel Nijman. Belgian star De Decker defeated Humphries to win the World Grand Prix in October, while 24-year-old Nijman secured his maiden senior PDC title this year.

When is the PDC World Darts Championship?

The PDC World Darts Championship gets underway this Sunday, with Humphries in action on the opening night as is tradition for the reigning champion. He’ll face the winner of Thibault Tricole and Joe Comito, who meet in the opening match of the championships.

The competition lasts for just under three weeks, with the final taking place on Friday 3rd January. It’s the first time the final is being held on a Friday in four years and the famous Ally Pally crowd will undoubtedly give both finalists an incredible atmosphere.

With 96 players set to enter the competition, the winner will pocket a mouth-watering £2.5 million in prize money. Once the action kicks off, there will be darts action almost every night, apart from a Christmas break from 24th to 26th December, as well as a night off for New Year’s Eve.

Max Verstappen wins F1 title again as Lewis Hamitlon says goodbye to Mercedes

Posted on by Harry Howes

After nine months of thrilling racing action, the Formula One season finally came to a close at the weekend. Despite not being quite at the races compared to previous seasons, Max Verstappen fought off the rest of the grid to claim his fourth consecutive title.

But he faced stiff competition, with the likes of Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc running him close. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton has driven his final race for Mercedes after 12 years – the British icon will be making the switch to Ferrari ahead of the 2025 F1 season.

F1 final standings 2024

PositionDriverTeamWinsPodiumsPoints
1Max VerstappenRed Bull914437
2Lando NorrisMcLaren413374
3Charles LeclercFerrari313356
4Oscar PiastriMcLaren28292
5Carlos Sainz JrFerrari29290
6George RussellMercedes24245
7Lewis HamiltonMercedes25223
8Sergio PerezRed Bull04152
9Fernando AlonsoAston Martin0070
10Pierre GaslyAlpine0142

Verstappen races to glory yet again

After winning 19 of the 22 races in the 2023 season, few could see anybody toppling Verstappen this year. But while the Red Bull driver ultimately secured a fourth title on the trot, it wasn’t as plain sailing as he’d have hoped.

This time around, Verstappen won just nine races and finished 63 points clear of his nearest challenger, compared to the 290-point triumph he recorded in the season prior. A combination of poor form, uncharacteristic mistakes and a much stronger field made the season a lot more competitive this time around.

Yet ultimately, Verstappen’s class prevailed and it goes to show just how formidable he is that he was able to go 10 races in a row without a win and still maintain top spot. The 27-year-old won two of the final four races – in Sau Paolo and Qatar – and sadly for his competitors, it’s likely he’ll learn from his mistakes and be even stronger when the new season gets underway in the spring.

Norris and Leclerc run Verstappen close

Having previously achieved a best-ever finish of sixth, Norris was the surprise package of the season and looked like he could be set for a shock win at one stage. Ultimately he finished as runner-up to Verstappen with four wins, including the final race in Abu Dhabi, and a phenomenal 13 podium finishes.

Leclerc also excelled, finishing 18 points shy of Norris, claiming three wins and 13 podium finishes as well. It wasn’t quite the Ferrari star’s best showing, after he finished second two years ago, but alongside Norris he provided strong competition for Verstappen.

It remains to be seen how Ferrari will prioritise their drivers next season, with Hamilton set to join as Leclerc’s teammate. Yet the experience of Hamilton alongside should only benefit his performances and he’ll be a contender to go all the way, as will Norris.

Hamilton bids farewell to Mercedes

By the time the 2025 Formula One season gets underway, Hamilton will be 40 years old. Yet he’s always maintained that he’ll continue driving until he claims a record eighth title and his switch to Ferrari may give him a new lease of life.

He achieved six of his seven titles at Mercedes and will hold fond memories of his time with them – but it’s clear a change is needed following a stagnant few years. In fact, the 2024 season saw him achieve his lowest ever final position of seventh.

Hamilton did enjoy a mid-season resurgence this year, claiming top spot in the British Grand Prix and the Belgian Grand Prix. But his season ultimately fizzled out and he achieved just one podium finish in the final 10 races of the season.

Looking ahead to the 2025 F1 season

The 2024 Formula One season has barely ended but we’ve already got one eye on next year. The 2025 season gets underway in March, with Australia hosting the opening race for the first time since 2019.

All eyes will be on Melbourne on 16th March for the Australian Grand Prix, where Verstappen will be looking to win the race for the second time. As ever, the British Grand Prix coincides with the midway point of the season, with the 12th race of the year taking place on 6th July.

Meanwhile, the final race of the season takes place in 12 months’ time, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 7th December. At Engage, we offer hospitality at every single race on the calendar and you can join us in the best seats in the house for any race of your choice.

Whether you fancy a trip to Miami, Japan or Brazil, or you’d prefer to stay closer to home at Silverstone, enquire today to discuss the best package to suit your needs.

Alternatively, why not take advantage of our exclusive ROAM packages? As well as watching the racing action, you can make a weekend of it and enjoy luxury accommodation, food packages and plenty more at both the Italian Grand Prix and the Spanish Grand Prix.

The best comedy shows and music gigs to see in December

Posted on by Harry Howes

We’ve already let you know the biggest comedians going on tour in 2025, but if you can’t wait until then, we’ve got you covered. There’s plenty of comedy to look forward to before the end of the year, as well as a whole host of concerts taking place, so why not treat yourself to a night of entertainment before Christmas?

Comedy in December

Peter Kay

 Thursday 5th December – The O2 Arena, London

After 12 years away from the comedy scene, Peter Kay made his long-awaited return to the stage this year with his Better Late Than Never tour. As well as travelling up and down the UK, the Bolton icon has also been enjoying his gig as the first ever stand-up comedian with a monthly residency at the O2.

Kay’s final O2 show of the year takes place tonight and if you missed out, don’t worry because he’s got plenty more coming in the new year. And if you fancy laughing your socks off from the best seats in the house, you can enjoy the shows in style with Engage’s exclusive hospitality packages.

Ricky Gervais

Thursday 5th December – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Friday 13th December – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

Ricky Gervais has established himself as a worldwide household name in recent years, entertaining fans both on stage and the screen, with hit stand-up shows, sitcoms and films. He’s currently touring Mortality, his 10th stand-up show, and he’s got two gigs left before the end of the year, starting in Nottingham tonight before he heads to Liverpool next Friday.

Mo Gilligan

Thursday 5th December – O2 Apollo, Manchester
Friday 6th and Saturday 7th December – Eventim Apollo, London
Saturday 14th December – Up The Creek, London

Mo Gilligan made his name on social media but he’s made the transition to comedy seamlessly and has become a TV star in his own right. He hosts his own show, The Lateish Show with Mo Gilligan and he’s also a judge on The Masked Singer.

The 36-year-old is currently in the middle of his In The Moment World Tour and he’s got a busy weekend ahead of him, with a gig in Manchester tonight before two nights at London’s iconic Hammersmith Apollo.

Jack and Michael Whitehall

Monday 9th December – Brentwood Centre, Brentwood
Friday 13th December – Bristol Beacon, Bristol
Saturday 21st December – The Civic Hall, Wolverhampton
Sunday 22nd December – The Centaur, Cheltenham

While not technically stand-up comedy, you’re still guaranteed to be laughing at Jack and Michael Whitehall’s live show. The father and son duo are known for their travel shows, where Jack’s childish humour combined with his dad’s dry wit are a match made in heaven.

Expect an evening of conversation packed full of stories of their travels, reminiscing of family encounters and maybe one or two arguments – but don’t worry, Jack’s mother Hilary is on hand to act as referee.

Music in December

Capital’s Jingle Bell Ball

Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December – The O2 Arena, London

This weekend sees the Jingle Bell Ball return to London’s iconic O2 Arena, with two days of superstar performers ready to get the capital in the mood for Christmas. Despite being in the middle of their Music of the Spheres world tour, Coldplay will be popping in for their fourth performance, having also headlined in 2011, 2015 and 2022.

Meanwhile, Katy Perry is also set to wow fans at the event, headlining on the Sunday. The American star’s last Jingle Bell Ball performance came way back in 2013. Other acts on the line-up include Perrie, Ella Henderson, Becky Hill and Clean Bandit, while KSI, Tom Grennan, Teddy Swims and Sigala are also performing.

If you fancy watching the show from the best seats in the house, there’s still time to join us in our exclusive hospitality areas. Enquire today to reserve your place.

Sam Fender

Tuesday 10th and Thursday 12th December – The O2 Arena, London

After years of anticipation, Sam Fender fans will finally be treated to his new album People Watching in February. Two tracks from the new record have already been released and you can hear them in the flesh when the Geordie sensation heads to the O2 next week.

Our hospitality packages give you the chance to enjoy the shows from our luxury areas, with food and drinks benefits to suit your needs. Enquire today to book your place.

Paul McCartney

Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th December – The O2 Arena, London

The phrase ‘aged like a fine wine’ couldn’t be more apt for Paul McCartney, who is still touring at the age of 82. The Liverpool legend and former frontman of The Beatles is heading to London with his Got Back tour, where he’ll treat music lovers to timeless hits, both from his time in the band and from his solo career.

As ever, we’re offering hospitality packages so that you can enjoy the show in style.

ICON Legends – Tyson Fury – British Boxing Legend

Posted on by Harry Howes

The heavyweight boxing division has been back to its best in the last decade or so and British fighters have been at the forefront of that renaissance. Tyson Fury is one of the most notable personalities in the sport and at six feet and nine inches, he has literally towered above his opponents. Known for his gangly style, never-say-die attitude and infectious personality, the 36-year-old’s story is not that of your typical athlete.

As well as battling in the ring, he’s faced demons outside of it and has bounced back to re-establish himself as one of the world’s best. It’s only right that he’s the latest iconic sports star to feature in our ever-growing list of ICON legends.

Until May of this year, Fury remained unbeaten in his 16-year professional boxing career. He’s enjoyed 34 wins to date, with 24 of those coming by knockout. His most iconic win came against Wladimir Klitschko back in 2015 and it saw him claim the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring heavyweight titles, alongside truly announcing himself on the world stage.

As well as being one of the best heavyweights of the modern era, Fury has also established himself as one of the great personalities. His no-filter attitude to interviews and habit of bursting into song in the ring after fights has become iconic and made him a fan favourite.

Rising up the ranks

Fury’s first professional fight came back in 2008 and he got off to a flying start, knocking out Béla Gyöngyösi just over two minutes into the first round. He became known for his early finishes and it wasn’t until his eighth bout that an opponent of his managed to make it past the fourth round.

With 14 wins under his belt, Fury met fellow Brit Derek Chisora at Wembley Arena in the summer of 2011. It was his biggest test to date and the fight went the distance, with Fury ultimately winning by unanimous decision – he then got the better of him again in a rematch three years later.

The second clash with Chisora was followed by another win over Christian Hammer, which made it 24 wins in a row and earned him his biggest fight so far – a challenge against Ukrainian legend Wladimir Klitschko.

Back from the brink

Fury had earned the right to face Klitscho as the mandatory WBO challenger and the fight eventually took place in Dusseldorf, Germany, in November 2015 after initially being postponed.

Klitschko was arguably the greatest boxer in the world at the time and was the heavy favourite, having not lost in more than 10 years. However, Fury defied the odds to win on split decision after 12 gruelling rounds.

It should have been the greatest moment of Fury’s life but after Klitschko demanded a rematch, the British star stalled, claiming he had no motivation. Fury has openly talked about his mental health struggles, as well as battles with drugs and alcohol during this time.

He ballooned in weight, reaching more than 24 stone, and after failing a drugs test he relinquished his heavyweight titles. He was ultimately suspended by the British Board of Boxing Control and spent years out of the ring, before eventually signing with Frank Warren.

Fury ultimately got back into shape and almost three years after beating Klitschko, he made his return to boxing, seeing off Sefer Seferi after just four rounds in Manchester.

Back to his best

Fury has long been linked with a headline bout against fellow Brit Anthony Joshua and for a period it was the one of the most highly-anticipated match ups in world boxing. But for whatever reason, it never materialised and Fury instead turned his attention to Deontay Wilder.

He first met the American heavyweight in 2018 and their first bout controversially ended in a draw after a split decision in what was the first time either fighter had ever failed to win. Yet Fury soon made up for it, knocking Wilder out twice in both of the subsequent rematches.

He’s since beaten fellow Brit Dillian Whyte, as well as Chisora for a third time. Fury’s 34th win in 35 fights came last October as he got the better of UFC star Francis Ngannou. But all good things must come to an end, including Fury’s unbeaten record.

He suffered his first defeat earlier this year against Oleksandr Usyk, another fearsome Ukrainian star. He’s regarded as arguably the best in the world at the moment and he outclassed Fury in a split decision back in May.

The pair are set for a rematch later this month, with Fury hoping to get his revenge when they meet in Riyadh on 21st December. Following that, Fury may finally seek a clash with Joshua, although his stock has dropped considerably after he suffered his fourth career defeat in September at the hands of Daniel Dubois.

ICON Legends – Coldplay – Music Phenomenon

Posted on by Harry Howes

After celebrating the illustrious careers of some of the greatest sports stars of all time, we thought it was time to break tradition. That’s why the latest edition in our ICON series puts sport to one side in order to focus on music, specifically Coldplay.

When it comes to British bands, few have topped the success of Coldplay. The four-piece have been going for almost 30 years and don’t look like slowing down following the release of Moon Music, their 10th studio album this year.

And with their incredible three-year world tour set to conclude next summer, we’ve taken a look at some of their greatest achievements.

Bursting onto the music scene

Coldplay spawned in 1997 but if you were fans of them back then, you’d be forgiven for not recognising the name. Founded by lead singer Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland, who met at university in London, they were initially called both Big Fat Noises and Starfish before settling on the iconic name Coldplay.

They were later joined by bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion before releasing debut record Parachutes in 2000. The album featured the iconic single ‘Yellow’, as well as other notable hits including ‘Shiver’ and ‘Trouble’.

As you can imagine, it was an instant hit and won the Grammy award for ‘Best Alternative Music Album’ as well as a BRIT award for ‘British Album of the Year’. Incredibly, Coldplay landed a hat-trick as their subsequent albums A Rush of Blood to the Head and X & Y both achieved the same feat.

They’ve not looked back since and Coldplay have arguably established themselves as the most successful band of the 21st century and have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.

Global superstars

Not content with their initial treble at the Grammys and BRITs, Coldplay have continued to be recognised across the music industry. They’ve been nominated for an astonishing 39 Grammy awards, winning seven times. The group have also been up for 30 BRIT awards and have claimed nine awards, making them the most successful group of all time.

By the time their fourth album, Viva La Vida, was released, Coldplay were household names – and the reaction reflected their popularity. Lead track Viva La Vida was the first song by a British artist to top both the UK charts and the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time since Rod Stewart’s Maggie May back in 1971.

Coldplay have broken 14 world record throughout their career – five have since been broken by others, but nine still remain theirs, including ‘Most Monthly Listeners On Spotify’, ‘Highest Attendance for a Music Tour’ and ‘Highest Debut by a UK Group in the US Singles Chart’.

Their global success has seen them collaborate with some of the biggest names in music, including Rihanna, Beyonce, Jay Z and Oasis star Noel Gallagher. They’ve also performed with the likes of BTS, Shakira and Bruno Mars.

Glastonbury record-breakers

Coldplay returned to Glastonbury this summer, headlining the famous Pyramid Stage alongside Dua Lipa and SZA. Chris Martin led proceedings 25 years after their first appearance at the prestigious summer festival.

It was their fifth time headlining Glastonbury, which set a record for the most headline appearances in history. They were previously joint-top alongside The Cure, who have headlined on four occasions.

In fact, Coldplay have appeared at Glastonbury seven times, performing twice before their first slot on the main stage. They were also set to perform in 2021 before the festival was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Coldplay have performed at countless festivals across the globe, including Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and Rock in Rio. Meanwhile, they also performed the half-time show at the 2016 Super Bowl, which had the biggest audience of all time for a group’s performance.

And after playing all over the world across the last 27 years, they’re set to play their biggest gig ever in the new year. Coldplay take their tour to India and will be wowing around 132,000 fans in a cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

Watch Coldplay in style

Coldplay are currently in the midst of a three-year world tour that’s set to conclude with 10 sell-out gigs at Wembley Stadium next year. The ‘Music of the Spheres’ tour kicked off in March 2022 and is the second-highest grossing tour of all time after Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’.

If you fancy seeing them perform all their greatest hits from the best seats in the house, why not join us in our premium hospitality facilities? Enjoy the incredible show from luxury seats with unrivalled views, where you’ll get all this alongside an iconic music performance:

●    Exclusive access to pitch view lounge
●    Complimentary beers, wines and soft drinks before and after the show
●    Complimentary welcome glass of Champagne
●    Wide ranging buffet menu
●    Snacks served post-show
●    Pre-show DJ and post-show after party

Enquire today to reserve your place.

Autumn Nations Series: England end with win as Wales suffer historic defeat

Posted on by Harry Howes

The Autumn Nations Series is all but over and rugby fans couldn’t have asked for a better weekend of action. There were surprise results, historic defeats and high-scoring games – plus, England finally managed to secure a victory.

France continue form against Argentina

France 37-23 Argentina

The hosts were pretty much out of sight at half-time thanks to tries from Thibaud Flament and Gabin Villiere, while Thomas Ramos was on form with his boot. France followed up their dramatic win over New Zealand with another victory to end their campaign with a perfect record.

Argentina attempted a fightback in the second half and converted tries from Thomas Gallo and Ignacio Ruiz made the scoreline respectable but they didn’t quite have enough in the end. They end their series with a win and two defeats.

Ireland on fire against Fiji

Ireland 52-17 Fiji

It was a triumphant win for Ireland in their penultimate game as they brushed Fiji aside. The hosts scored four tries either side of half-time, with one of those coming from Gus McCarthy on his debut.

Like Argentina, Fiji improved in the second half and looked to mount an unlikely comeback, scoring twice through Kitione Salawa and Setareki Turagacoke. But they couldn’t stop Ireland and they finished their European tour with two wins and two defeats.

Wales make history in miserable defeat

Wales 12-45 South Africa

South Africa piled more misery on Wales in a rampant victory in Cardiff that secured them the Prince William Cup. Wales lost all of their Autumn Nations Series games to become the first side to lose every single match in a calendar year since 1937.

They could do nothing to stop South Africa, who scored seven tries in a dominant performance. Rio Dyer and James Botham scored tries to save some face but it was a day to forget for the hosts, who need a serious overhaul ahead of the Six Nations next spring.

On the other hand, South Africa enjoyed a successful series in Europe, having also recorded victories over Scotland and England.

New Zealand bounce back in Italy

Italy 11-29 New Zealand

New Zealand finished their Autumn Nations Series with a routine win in Italy to put their narrow defeat to France firmly behind them. The All Blacks will be delighted with their tour, having won three of their four games.

Italy will be less pleased, with their only win coming against Georgia. Beauden Barrett was the star of the show for the visitors in Torino, scoring 14 points. Italy were lacklustre throughout, with their solitary try not coming until the 75th minute through Tommaso Menoncello.

Scotland stun Australia in Edinburgh

Scotland 27-13 Australia

An unlikely win for Scotland over Australia in their final game secured them the Hopetoun Cup and set a new record for the most Test wins in a calendar year. Duhan van der Merwe was also back in the record books – he reclaimed his spot as Scotland’s all-time leading try scorer, notching their second.

Aussie wing wizard Harry Potter worked his magic to score a try on his debut for the visitors but it wasn’t enough to rescue a result for the visitors. Scotland end their campaign with three wins out of four, while Australia will be looking to bounce back against Ireland this weekend.

England finally secure win against Japan

England 59-14 Japan

After losing their first three games to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, England bowed out of their Autumn Nations Series campaign in style against Japan. They were out of sight after half an hour thanks to tries from Ben Earl, Sam Underhill and a double from Jamie George.

Ollie Sleightholme added a fifth before the break – his fourth in his last three games. Further tries from George Furbank, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Roebuck piled the misery on Japan to wow a jubilant crowd at Twickenham.

With their young stars more than proving worth despite being on the wrong end of a few defeats, England will be full of confidence heading into their Six Nations preparation.

Autumn Nations Series fixtures

Saturday 30th November
Ireland v Australia: 3:10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin

In the final game of the Autumn Nations Series, former Ireland boss Joe Schmid returns to Dublin. The Kiwi led Ireland to three Six Nations titles but he’ll be looking to get the better of them with his Australia side.

The Aussies are still reeling from their surprise defeat to Scotland and they’ll be hoping to bounce back in style. But Ireland will take some beating and could make it three wins on the trot having strolled past Fiji and Argentina in successive games.

Las Vegas Grand Prix: Max Verstappen closes in on fourth F1 title

Posted on by Harry Howes

As we approach the end of the Formula One season, Max Verstappen is very much in the driving seat to secure his fourth title in a row.

The calendar takes the world’s best drivers to Las Vegas this weekend and after finally winning again in Brazil a fortnight ago, the Red Bull driver has a healthy points lead with just three races left.

It’s a measure of just how good Verstappen is that he went 10 races without winning and nobody was able to catch him. What’s scary for the rest of the grid is that he’s unlikely to endure a repeat of his bad form in 2025.

However, in Lando Norris, Formula One has found a worthy challenger. The British driver has excelled this year, with three wins and a further 12 podiums, and he’s established himself as a clear title contender in the future.

Barring a miracle, he won’t take Verstappen’s throne this time around. But after three years of the ‘Max Verstappen show’, it’s a relief that he finally has some competition and the pair are set to resume their competitive rivalry in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The race for the title

Verstappen finally got back to winning ways last time out as he finished first in Brazil two weeks ago. The reigning champion uncharacteristically went 10 races without winning but he put an end to his disappointing form with a long-awaited victory.

The win edged Verstappen further ahead of Norris in the standings. The Brit had been steadily making ground but he wasn’t able to capitalise enough, only winning two races during Verstappen’s sticky patch.

Norris did get four other podium finishes in the time but he only managed to finish sixth in Sao Paulo. He remains more than 60 points behind so it’s unlikely that he’ll claim his first F1 title this year. Verstappen appears to be back on form and he’ll want to end the season in style, having won the final seven races a year ago.

Elsewhere, Charles Leclerc is breathing down Norris’ neck having won two of the last six races, with another two podiums. The pair have been models of consistency this year – the British Grand Prix, nine races ago and way back in July, was the last time either of them finished outside the top five.

In his final year racing for Mercedes before switching to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Lewis Hamilton had hoped to mount a late charge for a record eighth title. But those dreams disappeared a while ago.

A mid-season flurry that had seen him win at Silverstone and in Belgium, while claiming third in Spain and Hungary, had given him faint hope. But it didn’t last long – the 39-year-old has achieved no podiums since and he’s slipped down to seventh in the standings.

F1 standings after 21 races

PositionDriverTeamWinsPodiumsPoints
1Max VerstappenRed Bull813393
2Lando NorrisMcLaren312331
3Charles LeclercFerrari311307
4Oscar PiastriMcLaren27262
5Carlos Sainz JrFerrari27244
6George RusselMercedes13192
7Lewis HamiltonMercedes24190

Las Vegas Grand Prix

Next up on the Formula One calendar is the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Sin City’s inaugural race took place last year and it’s set to return to the iconic streets, with parts of the unique night race taking place along the Vegas strip.

The race takes place this Sunday, 24th November, with Verstappen looking to come out on top for the second year running. There’s still time to take your seats in our exclusive hospitality area on the breathtaking Drai’s Las Vegas rooftop.

As well as unrivalled views of the race, you’ll get the chance to experience all this:

●      Access to Vista Terrace viewing with track view
●      Access to lower deck viewing circle and Drai’s nightclub
●      Hosted service, food stations, canapés and cheese station
●      Complimentary bar with Champagne, local beers, wine and spirits
●      TV in your private suite

Enquire today to reserve your place.

What’s next?

Following the Las Vegas Grand Prix, we head to the Middle East for the final two races of the 2024 season. First up is Qatar on Sunday 1st December before the final race of the year in Abu Dhabi a week later.

Verstappen won both races back in 2023 and if he repeats history, he’ll finish the year with a fourth consecutive F1 Drivers’ Championship.

If you’d like to join us to watch either of the final two races in style, we’d love to help make that happen. Our travel and concierge team are on hand to help you get to either the Qatar Grand Prix or the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where you can enjoy the action from the best seats in the house with our exclusive hospitality packages.

Autumn Nations Series: France edge thriller as England and Wales lose again

Posted on by Harry Howes

Another thrilling weekend of Autumn Nations Series action saw Ireland, Scotland and Italy bounce back from their defeats the week before. But it was the same old story for England and Wales as they conceded defeat to their Southern Hemisphere opponents.

Ireland’s fast start sees off Argentina

Ireland 22-19 Argentina: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Six Nations champions Ireland survived a second-half comeback from Argentina to secure their first win of the Autumn Nations Series. They led 22-9 at half-time and held on for victory despite failing to score after the break.

The hosts came racing out of the blocks and scored two tries in the opening five minutes through Jack Crowley and Mack Hansen. Joe McCarthy added a third to put the hosts firmly in the driving seat.

Juan Cruz Mallia got one back to keep the visitors in the game but Ireland held firm to bounce back from the previous week’s defeat at the hands of New Zealand.

Scotland thrash Portugal

Scotland 59-21 Portugal: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh

The Scots lost to South Africa last week but they were back on form with a nine-try thrashing of Portugal. They were 33-7 to the good at the break and continued in that vein in the second half, despite the visitors improving.

Scotland ran riot with seven different try scorers, including two in three second-half minutes from Arron Reed. Portugal notched two converted tries in the second half but after a rampant opening 40 minutes, there was only going to be one winner at Murrayfield.

England suffer third straight defeat

England 20-29 South Africa: Allianz Stadium, London

Despite their recent defeats, England looked to have turned a corner of late. But they slumped to their third consecutive Autumn Nations Series defeat in a disappointing display against South Africa.

Steve Borthwick’s side enjoyed a dream start as Ollie Sleightholme went over in the third minute to score his third try in two matches. But the visitors soon got into their stride and notched three tries in 11 minutes through Grant Williams, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Cheslin Kolbe.

Sam Underhill got one back before the break to leave England trailing by just two points at half-time. But England endured a difficult second period and their only points came through a Marcus Smith penalty.

England were nowhere near as sharp going forward as they had been against Australia the previous week when they scored five tries. They’ll be hoping to pick things up against Japan on Sunday as they look to end their Autumn Nations Series campaign with a win.

France come from behind to stun New Zealand

France 30-29 New Zealand: Stade de France, Paris

The French mounted a stunning second-half comeback to beat New Zealand having trailed 19-10 at half-time. The visitors raced ahead with two early tries from Peter Lakai and Cam Roigard.

But France turned the game on its head quickly after the break and tries from Paul Boudehent and Louis Bielle-Biarrey put them in the ascendancy. Damian McKenzie notched a 74th minute penalty to put New Zealand within a point of the hosts and set up a grandstand finish. But France held on and secured their second win in a row.

Italy bounce back against Georgia

Italy 20-17 Georgia: Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa

Like France, Italy trailed at half-time and were forced to turn things around in a thrilling second period. The Italians lost their first game to Argentina but survived a scare in Genoa.

Georgia led 17-6 at half-time thanks to tries from Aka Tabutsadze and Vasil Lobzhanidze – Italy’s only points were a pair of Paolo Garbisi penalties. But a penalty try after the break got Italy back in their groove and Alessandro Fusco sealed the win with a try of his own.

Wales’ dismal run goes on

Wales 20-52 Australia

It was a miserable day in Cardiff as Australia condemned Wales to their 11th consecutive international defeat, leaving Warren Gatland’s future as coach in jeopardy. The hosts only trailed by six points at the break in a fairly even first-half contest.

But Australia stepped things up a gear in the second half to leave Wales in their wake. Tom Wright and Matt Faessler both bagged a hat-trick apiece as the visitors ran riot. Ben Thomas scored a consultation try for Wales late on but by then it was very much too little, too late.

Autumn Nations Series fixtures this weekend

Friday 22nd November
 France v Argentina: 8:10pm – Stade de France, Paris

Saturday 23rd November
 Ireland v Fiji: 3:10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Wales v South Africa: 5:40pm – Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Italy v New Zealand: 8:10pm – Allianz Stadium, Turin

Sunday 24th November
Scotland v Australia: 1:40pm – Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
England v Japan: 4:10pm – Allianz Stadium, London

Most teams play their final Autumn Nations Series games this weekend and they’ll be looking to go out in style. France kick proceedings off against Argentina and they’ll be hoping to continue their momentum after their stunning win over the All Blacks.

Ireland should have far too much for Fiji, while defeat for Wales against South Africa will condemn them to their first calendar year without a win since 1937. New Zealand head to Italy looking to make amends for their defeat in Dublin.

Sunday sees Australia looking to secure a third consecutive win on British soil against Scotland. Meanwhile, England are targeting their first Autumn Nations Series win as they face Japan.

Autumn Nations Series fixtures

Saturday 30th November
Ireland v Australia: 3:10pm – Aviva Stadium, Dublin

The best ski holiday destinations in the world

Posted on by Harry Howes

While it’s almost winter and the temperatures are dropping, that doesn’t mean that we have to wait until next year to enjoy a holiday. The best part of winter is planning a skiing trip – but where do you start?

With so many places to choose from worldwide, it can be difficult to find the perfect spot for a skiing break. That’s why we’ve done the hard work and tracked down the best ski holiday destinations in the world.

France

More than a fifth of the Alps are in France, meaning there are plenty of skiing destinations there. Tignes, Val d’Isère and Les Deux Alpes are among the most popular resorts in France, both for skiing and partying.

When to go?

The skiing season in France peaks around February. The atmosphere is much better during these times but, as you’d expect, it’s a lot busier. If you’d prefer a quieter visit, hold fire until March, when it tends to be sunnier as well.

Switzerland

Just like its neighbour France, Switzerland is ideally located on the Alps to offer some of the most picturesque skiing destinations in the world, including St Moritz, Zermatt and Grindelwald.

When to go?

Again, it’s a similar story to France. The resorts tend to open around now and they host skiers until the spring, although the busiest periods will be around February.

USA

If you fancy skiing further afield than Europe, head across the pond to some of America’s top destinations. There are plenty of stunning, snow-filled choices, including in Colorado, New Hampshire and Montana.

When to go?

Many of the American resorts follow a similar pattern to their European counterparts. Late winter tends to be the most popular time to go – heading over there earlier in January may give you more space on the slopes, but it’ll be a lot colder.

Japan

While Japan is a hugely popular holiday destination, many people may not be familiar with its thriving skiing culture. Niseko is known as the ‘powder capital of Japan’ due to its excellent snow, while places like Hakuba and Shiga Kogen are great for skiers of all abilities.

When to go?

If you’re on a budget, avoid going around Christmas and the new year! These are expensive periods at the best of times but they also happen to be peak skiing season in Japan – the season lasts until April, so you can easily leave your trip until the spring.

Austria

As you can imagine, there’s an abundance of skiing resorts to choose from in Austria. The likes of Ischgl, Kitzbühel and Saalbach-Hinterglemm each have more than 200 km of slopes and a thriving après scene.

When to go?

Just like its neighbours on the Alps, Austria experiences its peak season in February. To avoid the crowd and enjoy the most reliable snow conditions, visit in mid-March.

Canada

Considering how much snowfall Canada gets each winter, it’s no surprise that there’s a lively skiing scene up there. Banff National Park in the Rocky Mountains has over 300 runs, while Whistler hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics.

When to go?

The season peaks in January and February but for the best snow at Whistler, wait until March. It’s nicknamed ‘powder month’ by the locals due to its abundance of snow.

Sweden

For an authentic skiing experience, why not travel further north in Europe to Sweden? The tree-lined slopes and freezing temperatures offer some of the most beautiful skiing backdrops around.

When to go?

As Sweden is a lot colder than many of the places listed, you can enjoy good skiing from early November. February and March tend to be the snowiest periods, with much longer days.

Hit the slopes with Engage’s ROAM packages!

As well as unrivalled sports and music hospitality packages, Engage now offers tailored travel experiences with ROAM, where we combine our knowledge, passion and expertise to offer some of the best experiences the world has to offer.

Two of our current packages are ideal for skiing enthusiasts – here’s everything you need to know.

Undiscovered Alps with Marcus Wareing

Join us for a luxury weekend in the Swiss Alps, where as well as enjoying some of the most iconic slopes in Switzerland, you’ll also be treated to incredible food from renowned chef Marcus Wareing.

Fancy heading for a two-night stay in Andermatt in January? You can enjoy all this:

●    Two nights at The Chedi from 10th – 12th January
●    Two-day lift pass
●    Private transfer from Zurich
●    Welcome drinks
●    Dinner at ‘The Restaurant’ with Marcus Wareing followed by a Q&A
●    Lunch with Marcus Wareing at Guetsch by Markus Neff

Crans-Montana Ski Challenge

For the more adventurous skiers among you, why not try your hand at the Crans-Montana Ski Challenge?

The premier networking event of the winter sporting calendar is returning to Switzlerland, giving you the chance to experience all this:

●    Three nights at Hotel Art de Vivre from 13th – 16th March
●    Two-day ski pass
●    Entry fee and race registration
●    Welcome dinner
●    Lunch at Chetzeron Restaurant
●    Welcome drinks and quiz night
●    Après ski parties at Zerodix and Cry d’Er
●    Awards dinner

Enquire today to reserve your place.

int(174)