Corporate Hospitality - Try something different

With the Australian tennis open now in full swing, the first major sporting event of the year signals the start of another year of unbeatable annual sporting events.

In the UK we are really spoiled for choice with a huge range of extremely popular events that happen at pretty much the same time every year. Events that have companies enjoying corporately hospitality with their valued guests year on year.

Think of the upcoming Six Nations which starts of the 4^th February, quickly followed by the Cheltenham Festival in March. An event that attracted record numbers last year (280,627 to be exact). Just over three weeks after the Cheltenham Gold Cup Day the world’s greatest steeplechase, The Grand National will be run again at Aintree.

Moving on to the summer months, we have ever popular annual events such as the Epsom Derby, Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and the British Grand Prix, events which always draw huge crowds each year.

All of the events mentioned are fantastic sporting occasions providing some of the finest corporate hospitality in the country. If you haven’t been to any of them yet, then it’s time to start ticking off that list!

Many people, however, have of been to most of them at some point in their lives, some have even been lucky enough to experience all of them, and if you’ve been-there-done-that-bought-the-T-shirt when it comes to UK sports events, then perhaps you are looking for something a little different.

Well, you’re in luck, because aside from all the household named events above, there are plenty of events that are a little more off the beaten track, all providing fantastic opportunities to entertain important guests and clients.

Below we have highlighted five annual sports events that offer the highest level of sporting action, along with some absolutely stunning options from a corporate hospitality point of view.

Some events you have probably heard of, some you might not. All are worth experiencing at some point. Maybe 2023 will be the year you do!

Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic – Tuesday 27^th – Friday 30^th June 2023

Anyone for tennis?

First class tennis and hospitality come together for the perfect appetiser to a summer of exhilarating sport. In the final days leading up to Wimbledon, an affluent audience join the world’s top tennis players and legends as they gather at the grounds of the prestigious Hurlingham Club to compete in the Tennis Classic at Hurlingham.

Throughout the event’s 27-year history, players have included Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Pete Sampras, Carlos Alcaraz and Maria Sharapova, as well as a whole host of other ATP stars.

Celebrating timeless elegance and quintessential British traditions, take your front row seat as players prepare for Wimbledon at the prestigious Hurlingham Tennis Classic.

Henley Royal Regatta – Tuesday 27^th June – Sunday 2^nd July 2023

Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held annually on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames. It was established on 26^th March 1839.

Races are head-to-head knock out competitions, raced over a course of 1 mile, 550 yards (2,112 m). The most prestigious event at the regatta is the Grand Challenge Cup for Men’s Eights, which has been awarded since the regatta was first staged.

Rowing has made household names out of the likes of Sir Steve Redgrave, Katherine Grainger, Helen Glover and Matthew Pinsent to name a few. This sport can provide the perfect backdrop for a day of entertaining clients in a beautiful and relaxed setting.

What better way to spend a summer’s day than within this idyllic riverside setting, as the rowing passes you by and the drinks continue to flow as you relax in the gardens, witnessing the spectacle of rowing, one of Britain’s most consistently successful Olympic Sports.

Cowes Week – Saturday 29^th July – Friday 4^th August 2023

Since 1826 Cowes Week has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar and is one of the UK's longest running and most successful sporting events. It now stages up to 40 daily races for around 1,000 boats and is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world.

The event offers a great mix of competitive sailing and social activities. The 8,500 competitors range from Olympic and world class professionals to weekend sailors. In excess of 100,000 spectators come to watch the sailing, enjoy the parties and live entertainment. It is genuinely a one-of-a-kind event.

Why not experience Cowes Week onboard your very own flybridge powerboat for the day. These vessels never fail to impress any guests that are entertained, are luxuriously appointed, very comfortable and provide you with your own exclusive venue where you can enjoy a day with your guests with fine wines, chilled Champagne and great food.

Qatar Goodwood Festival – Tuesday 1^st – Saturday 5^th August 2023

The Qatar Goodwood Festival, affectionately known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’, is one of the undisputed highlights of the British Flat racing season.

The Sussex Downs track is renowned for its undulating nature with horses needing supreme balance and speed to win any race at the Qatar Goodwood Festival. This event combines the finest elements of sport, fashion, style and corporate hospitality in a truly breath-taking setting.

The £250,000 Qatar Stewards Cup takes centre stage for the final day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. Previous winners of this iconic sprint include Loch Song and Dancing Star. The six-furlong cavalry charge of the Qatar Stewards Cup is a sight to behold, with over 20 sprinters thundering down the Goodwood straight.

With five days of thrilling action set against the magnificent backdrop of the rolling Sussex countryside, the Qatar Goodwood Festival is one of the top horse racing events of the year presenting spellbinding sport and a social occasion like no other.

Silverstone Festival – Friday 25^th – Sunday 27^th August 2023

One for petrol heads and classic car enthusiasts,

The packed weekend provides spectacular classic motor racing on the world famous full Grand Prix Circuit, impressive track parades, infield displays from over 120 car clubs featuring more than 10,000 classic cars, plus interactive driving activities and dynamic demonstrations. Over 1,000 classic cars take part in more than 20 races on the famous circuit - the best historic Grand Prix, Le Mans prototypes, Sports, GT and Touring Cars across 80 years of racing.

The Silverstone Festival is the ultimate celebration of classic cars. If you like cars and motor racing, you will love this event.

There are, of course, a whole host of other events that take place in the UK, far too many to mention here, but if you are interested in attending one of the events outlined here, or another sport event entirely, then we would love to speak with you to see if we can help make it happen.

As an independent hospitality company with a wealth of industry knowledge, we will work closely with you to understand your needs and offer the package that is right for you. Our small team offer a friendly, personalised service and will assist with any enquiry you have. If we are unable to help (we probably will be able to), we will happily point you in the right direction and offer any useful advice we can.

If you are interested in experiencing the very best events, and looking for a personalised service, next time you are booking a corporate hospitality package, please get in touch with us.