Sporting Luncheon Hospitality and Tickets
Enquire about Availability Here
Sporting and Comedy Lunch hospitality packages are a fantastic way to entertain important clients and guests. With a relaxed atmosphere and guest speakers from the world of entertainment and sport. You will surely enjoy unforgettable experiences.
One of our flagship events is the Annual Midlands Christmas Sporting Luncheon which continues to sell out each year and in 2026 takes place on Wednesday 9th December. It creates a wonderful festive atmosphere for all guests to enjoy. Limited availability.
The event has a history of attracting the very biggest names in Rugby, including our Guest Of Honour at the most recent luncheon in 2025, which was the former England and British and Irish Lions international Dan Cole.
With 118 caps, Cole is the second-most capped player in England’s history, whilst he also toured Australia and New Zealand, earning 3 caps for the British and Irish Lions.
He is also an icon for the Leicester Tigers, for whom he was able to make as many as 343 senior appearances between 2007 and 2025. Dan Cole had only recently retired following an incredible career.
At Eventmasters, our comedian for the 2026 Sporting Luncheon is the highly acclaimed Aaron James.
Widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading mainstream comedians, Aaron James will join us for what promises to be a great day at the 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon. He is known as an exceptional impressionist, host, auctioneer, and presenter. He brings charisma, wit and energy to every occasion, ensuring a fun-filled and engaging experience.
We are looking forward to our 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon on Wednesday, 9th December 2026.
Feel free to register your interest via the form at the bottom of this page, or by calling us on 0121 233 6500.
Entertain your valued clients with VIP corporate hospitality at the UK’s biggest luncheon events.
- Display 30 Products per page
Sporting Lunch VIP Hospitality Packages – Midlands Sporting Lunch returns for 36th year in 2026
On Wednesday, 9th December 2026, the highly rated Midlands Sporting Luncheon will enjoy its 36th anniversary. The rugby-themed Christmas sporting lunch continues to be one of the most popular events of the hospitality calendar and regularly attracts the biggest names in the sport.
Whether you are hosting a Christmas party or entertaining your important clients and stakeholders, this event will surely provide you with an unforgettable afternoon.
The sporting luncheon takes place at the fabulous Macdonald Burlington Hotel in the centre of Birmingham. This historic venue is one of Birmingham’s finest hotels and is just a short walk away from the stunning New Street Station.
Enjoy fine dining with a superb four-course lunch, followed by our brilliant Heads or Tails auction game and a silent auction with proceeds going to a nominated charity. But the real highlight of the event is the outstanding guest speakers and guests of honour.
Guests will enjoy some fascinating insight from our Master of Ceremonies Tim Stimpson, who will return in 2026.
Widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading mainstream comedians, Aaron James will join us for what promises to be a great day at the 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon. He is known to be an exceptional impressionist, host, auctioneer and presenter, he brings charisma, wit and energy to every occasion, ensuring a fun-filled and engaging experience.
Aaron’s career is packed with remarkable highlights. He has hosted three world title fights in Las Vegas, including the iconic clash between Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather at the Bellagio, where he shared the stage with boxing legends Lennox Lewis and Michael Buffer. His talents have also lit up some of the biggest sporting arenas in the world, providing pre-match entertainment at clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and UEFA Champions League finals alongside FIFA World Cup events across the globe.
Beyond football, Aaron has entertained crowds at Twickenham during Six Nations and Autumn Internationals, and at golf days for brands including Aston Martin, Porsche, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. His media appearances include Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast, Only Fools & Horses, and radio features on BBC Radio 2, talkSPORT and BBC Radio 5 Live.
2025’s Guest of Honour Dan Cole joined an illustrious list of former guests, which also includes; Alun Wyn Jones OBE, Jason Robinson OBE, Dylan Hartley, Mike Tindall OBE, Phil Vickery MBE, Jason Leonard OBE, Will Greenwood MBE, Ben Kay MBE, Will Carling OBE, Gavin Hastings OBE, Ieuan Evans, Rob Andrew MBE, Dean Richards, Jeremy Guscott, Sir Ian McGeechan and World Cup-winning captain Martin Johnson CBE.
This page will be updated once we can announce our Guest of Honour for the 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon on Wednesday, 9th December 2026!
The Midlands Sporting Luncheon is a fantastic way to enjoy an afternoon of excellent corporate hospitality, doubling as the perfect opportunity for a Birmingham Christmas Party!
The VIP Hospitality Package that we are delighted to offer for the much-anticipated 36th annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon in December 2026 is, of course, the Horton Suite.
This package offers an opportunity to network with clients and entertain colleagues whilst enjoying the incredible food, detailed insight into the world of rugby and some comedy from a well-renowned comedian. It is sure to be a memorable afternoon full of laughs, great food, with the atmosphere being relaxed for this excellent social occasion.
The Horton Suite is located on level one of the magnificent Macdonald Burlington Hotel, which is situated in the heart of the Birmingham City Centre, opposite New Street Station.
The hospitality offering for the Midlands Sporting Luncheon in 2026 includes insight from Master of Ceremonies Tim Stimpson and a special rugby guest of honour, an after-dinner comedian, a superb four-course lunch, Head & Tails, a limited live auction, a silent auction in aid of our nominated charity, Prostate Cancer UK, as well as a cash bar.
Whilst there is no specific dress code, it would be appropriate for you and your guests/clients to be dressed smartly for this event.
Moving on to the food, the starter will be a Chicken Liver Parfait with fig chutney, a mulled wine gel, and some brioche toast.
This will then be followed by the main course, which includes a Sirloin of the finest Scottish Beef with some Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, and some seasonal vegetables.
Then the dessert will consist of a chocolate-and-orange cheesecake with orange gel and Chantilly cream. The meal will also be accompanied by a platter of cheese and biscuits per table, as well as some tea, coffee, and mints per table.
By booking our Horton Suite Package for the 36th annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon in 2026, you and your guests will be in for a memorable and luxurious afternoon full of rugby insight, fantastic food, and plenty of laughs with a warm, friendly, and social atmosphere to boot.
Live Screenings of the biggest sporting events of the year
As well as running sporting luncheons, Eventmasters are also delighted to provide a fabulous range of live screenings for big sporting events. Recently we have hosted several live screenings of major England football matches.
For the 2016 European Championships, we hosted a live screening of England’s hotly-anticipated group clash with Wales. We enjoyed the company of Gary Newbon along with Neville Southall MBE and Ron Atkinson, for a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment. During the 2014 World Cup, we also hosted a screening of England’s match with Costa Rica.
In 2018, we hosted a live screening of England’s thrilling encounter with Belgium in the 2018 World Cup. Hosted at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham City Centre, the event delivered a fabulous afternoon of entertainment coupled with a delicious fine dining experience.
With highly renowned guest speakers from the world of football and fine dining, you can enjoy VIP treatment to go along with the action.
Live screening events allow you to entertain valued guests without leaving the country. The hospitality on offer is of the highest order and ensures that you and your guests will have a memorable afternoon.
Please register your interest for the 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon on Wednesday, 9th December 2026, at the magnificent MacDonald Burlington Hotel in Birmingham, where our Master of Ceremonies, Tim Stimpson, will be joined by our Guest of Honour and Comedian.
Feel free to contact us about this event via the form below, or by calling us on 0121 233 6500.
Midland Sportman’s Luncheon 2026 FAQs:
When and where will the 2026 Midlands Sporting Luncheon take place?
The 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon will be taking place at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel, located opposite Birmingham New Street Station. The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, 9th December 2026.
What does Eventmasters’ Midlands Sporting Luncheon Hospitality include?
For the 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon, we offer the Horton Suite Package, which has plenty to offer you and your guests/clients, including: A superb four-course lunch, insight from our Guest of Honour (a legend from the world of rugby), comedy from a renowned comedian, cash bar, a limited live auction, a silent auction in aid of our nominated charity, Prostate Cancer UK, and there are also private tables for parties of 8, 10, or 12 people. Tim Stimpson will also return once more as our Master of Ceremonies. Note that smaller parties will be placed on a shared table, while parties of 8 will be seated at the rear of the suite. All parties of 8 guests or more will have a private table, and the minimum booking is for 2 guests.
What food is on offer for the four-course meal as part of the Horton Suite Package?
There will be plenty of luxurious food on offer as part of the four-course meal as part of the Horton Suite Package’s offerings for the Sporting Luncheon in 2026. Starter: Chicken Liver Parfait, fig chutney, mulled wine gel, and brioche toast, Main Course: Sirloin of finest Scottish Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, roast potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. Dessert: Chocolate & Orange cheesecake with orange gel and Chantilly cream. There will also be a platter of cheese and biscuits on each table, along with some tea, coffee, and mints.
Who will be the Guest of Honour at the 2026 Midlands Sporting Luncheon?
We have not yet secured our Guest of Honour for the 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon, but this page will be updated as soon as confirmation is received. The guest will be a legendary figure from the world of rugby – at our most recent luncheon, it was Dan Cole, the second-most-capped England player of all time and a well-known figure at Leicester Tigers.
Who will be the After Dinner Comedian for the 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon?
Widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading mainstream comedians, Aaron James will join us for what promises to be a great day at the 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon. He is known as an exceptional impressionist, host, auctioneer, and presenter. He brings charisma, wit and energy to every occasion, ensuring a fun-filled and engaging experience. Aaron’s career is packed with remarkable highlights. He has hosted three world title fights in Las Vegas, including the iconic clash between Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather at the Bellagio, where he shared the stage with boxing legends Lennox Lewis and Michael Buffer. His talents have also lit up some of the biggest sporting arenas in the world, providing pre-match entertainment at clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea, and at UEFA Champions League finals and FIFA World Cup events across the globe.
How can I get in touch with Eventmasters regarding the 2026 Midlands Sporting Luncheon and the hospitality on offer?
There are several ways you can get in touch with us at Eventmasters Corporate Hospitality regarding the 2026 Midlands Sporting Luncheon and the hospitality on offer. You can either fill in the contact form at the bottom of this page, or, if you would prefer, call us directly on 0121 233 6500, where a member of our dedicated sales team will be very happy to help you.
Register Your Interest in the Midlands Sporting Luncheon for 2026:
Complete this form to register your interest:
If you are interested in any of our hospitality packages, our event specialists are ready to help you make your day memorable. Complete this contact form and we will be in contact shortly.
