Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon 2026

Christmas Sporting Event FAQs – Annual Midlands Sportsman’s Lunch

When and where will the 2026 Midlands Sporting Luncheon take place?

On Wednesday 9th December 2026, the anticipated 36th annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon will be taking place at the iconic Macdonald Burlington Hotel, located just outside of Birmingham New Street in the heart of Birmingham’s town centre.

Who will be joined by Master of Ceremonies Tim Stimpson at the 2026 Midlands Sporting Luncheon?

Master of Ceremonies and former British and Irish Lion Tim Stimpson was joined by the award-winning and well-renowned UK Comedian Andrew Bird, who provided the laughs and plenty of entertainment for all in attendance throughout the afternoon.

Stimpson was also joined by our Guest of Honour for 2025 – a fellow former England international and British and Irish Lion Dan Cole, who had only recently retired from rugby.

He accumulated a total of no less than 118 caps in total for England, as well as a further three for the British and Irish Lions during tours of both Australia and New Zealand.

He is also a legendary figure for the Leicester Tigers, for whom he made 343 appearances between 2007 and 2025.

Which comedian will join Master of Ceremonies Tim Stimpson at the 2026 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 36^th 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.

What makes Master of Ceremonies Tim Stimpson a famous figure in rugby?

Tim Stimpson is a big name in the world of rugby. For England, he was capped for England on as many as 19 occasions, as well as scoring 35 points between 1996 and 2002.

Not only that, he is a former British and Irish Lion who took part in the tour of South Africa in 1997, and at the time, South Africa were the reigning Rugby World Champions. Stimpson was part of the squad, led by Head Coach Ian McGeechan, who went on to win the series 2 – 1 in the end.

At club level, Stimpson played for the likes of Wakefield, West Hartlepool, Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers, Perpignan, Leeds Tykes, and Nottingham RFC.

His most famous time as a player in domestic rugby was with the Leicester Tigers, with whom he spent 5 years from 1998 to 2003, scoring as many as 1,445 points in total.

There will be fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK in 2026. How much was raised at last year’s Midlands Sporting Luncheon?

In 2025, the afternoon featured the likes of former British and Irish Lions Tim Stimpson and Dan Cole, the latter of whom is also a Leicester Tigers icon, as well as award winning and widely acclaimed comedian Andrew Bird.

Fundraising for Prostate Cancer UK last year saw a total of £6,000. There was also fundraising for the My Name’s Doddie Weir Foundation, with as much as £4,000 being raised!

We hope to raise even more money for charity at the 36th annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon on 9th December 2026.

What is on the menu for the 36^th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel?

There was some incredible food on offer on the menu at the 2025 Midlands Sporting Luncheon. The menu was as follows:

Chicken Liver Parfait – with Fig chutney, mulled wine gel, and brioche toast.

Sirloin of finest Scottish Beef – with Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, and seasonal vegetables.

Chocolate & Orange Cheesecake – with Orange gel and Chantilly Cream.

Platter of English Cheese & Biscuits per table – with Tea, Coffee, and Mints per table. 

How can I contact Eventmasters regarding the 36^th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon?

There are a number of ways in which you can get in touch with Eventmasters regarding the 36th Annual Midlands Sporting Luncheon on 9th December 2026.

You can either fill in the enquiry form at the bottom of this page, or you can alternatively, if you would prefer to, contact us directly on 0121 233 6500, where you can get in touch with our dedicated sales team, who will be happy to help you.