Bognor Regis
FESTIVAL INFO

Tour Itinerary

BOGNOR REGIS
17 – 20 April 2026

Friday 17 April: Arrival Day
No rugby is played on the day of arrival. Accommodation units should be available from 4pm – Butlin’s will confirm your check in time prior to your break. Guests can arrive on resort from 1pm and use the facilities at Butlin’s. There will be a full evening entertainment programme on the Friday. Our welcome meeting for coaches will take place on Friday evening at around 8pm.

Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 April: Festival Day
All teams will participate in festivals that take place on both the Saturday & Sunday. Each Age Grade will be organised in accordance with the RFU guidelines. The event format may vary depending on the number of teams registered in each Age Grade.

The celebrity presentation ceremonies will take place on the Sunday afternoon/evening. Teams are welcome to travel home on the Sunday evening after the presentations, or Monday morning.

Monday 20 April: Departure Days
Check out of accommodation is 10.00am but you do not have to leave the resort until Midday.

FESTIVAL FORMAT

Festivals are played on the Saturday and Sunday with all teams playing fixtures on both days, typically playing 5 – 7 games over the weekend. Full details of each individual age grade format will be emailed to all teams prior to the 2026 Tigers Challenge. Throughout the duration of each event the Tigers Challenge will be looking to celebrate clubs who demonstrate the true ethos of the game under our event criteria in keeping with the RFU Age Grade Rules and Guidelines.

All age sections will be played under the RFU Age Grade Rules for 2025-2026. Leicester Tigers have worked closely with the RFU and we will be organising our events in keeping with their ethos, and our continuing ethos. All teams will get a fair amount of games over the weekend in a competitive and fun environment. We will be celebrating everyone’s achievements at the end of the weekend and championing clubs that best embrace the new focus for our game, within the new guidelines. A Final Briefing will be emailed to Group Leaders 7-10 days before the festival. The Final Briefing email will include the Event Format, Fixtures & Schedules and Rules.

playing VENUES

The Tigers Challenge festival is played at a selection of playing venues in the Bognor Regis area.

• Felpham Community College, Bognor Regis (PO22 8EL)
• Arena Sports Centre, Bognor Regis (PO21 5JD)
• Bognor Rugby Club, Bognor Regis (PO21 5JH)

Teams/clubs are responsible for transport from Butlin’s to the playing venues. Felpham Community College is walking distance from Butlin’s, no parking is available so all team must walk to the venue. The Arena Sports Centre and Bognor Rugby Club venues are approximately 2.5 miles from Butlins and require transport, both venues have parking available.

Playing venues are subject to change.

Age Groups & Squad sizes

U7 Mixed: 4-a-side
U8 Mixed: 6-a-side
U9 Mixed: 7-a-side
U10 Mixed: 8-a-side
U11 Mixed: 9-a-side
U12 Boys: 12-a-side
U12 Girls: 9-a-side
U14 Girls: 9-a-side

Recommended Touring Squad Sizes
U7 Mixed = 6
U8 Mixed = 8
U9 Mixed = 10
U10 Mixed = 12
U11 Mixed = 15
U12 Boys = 20
U12 Girls = 12+
U14 Girls = 12+

Age Qualification Dates

Consideration will be given to official dispensation where held under RFU Regulation 15. However this is at the discretion of the Organisers and subject to specific Tigers Challenge Rules. Please contact ESF Events for further details if required.

We would advise International teams from Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland and other countries to read RFU Regulation 15 carefully, so that you are aware of the Age Grade regulations of the RFU. As the Tigers Challenge is an RFU approved festival, the festival is played in accordance with the RFU regulations and subject to Tigers Challenge Rules.

PLEASE NOTE: As per RFU guidelines, mixed teams of boys and girls are not permitted in the U12 age sections. Therefore, girls cannot compete in the U12 boys age sections, and boys cannot compete in the U12 Girls and U14 Girls age sections at the 2026 Tigers Challenge in Bognor Regis.

If you have any queries regarding the eligibility of players, please contact ESF Events via email at info@tigerschallenge.co.uk

PLAYER REGISTRATION

Participating teams are required to complete a Player Registration Form, which includes the name and date of birth of all players to be registered for the festival.

Please take note of the RFU Regulations, specifically Regulation 15: Age Grade Rugby which is detailed at http://www.englandrugby.com/governance/regulations/

International teams from Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland and other countries are advised to read RFU Regulation 15 carefully, so that you are aware of the Age Grade regulations of the RFU. As the Tigers Challenge is an RFU approved festival, the festival is played in accordance with the RFU regulations and subject to Tigers Challenge Rules.

International teams must apply to their National Governing Body (WRU, IRFU etc.) for permission to participate in the 2026 Tigers Challenge. The permission to tour must be emailed to info@tigerschallenge.co.uk at least eight weeks prior to the festival.

If you have any queries regarding the eligibility of players, please contact ESF Events by telephone on 01664 566360, or via email at info@tigerschallenge.co.uk

TIGERS CHALLENGE WRISTBANDS

Each guest who has booked accommodation through ESF Events will receive a Tigers Challenge wristband when they check in at Butlin’s. The Tigers Challenge wristband is required to attend the playing venues as a player, club official or spectator, attend the presentation ceremony at Butlin’s, and enter evening entertainment venues at Butlin’s.

Tigers Challenge wristbands are not available to purchase separately. If you are not booked through ESF Events at Butlin’s, you are not part of the event and do not have permission to attend the playing venues as a player, official or spectator, or to attend the presentation ceremonies at Butlin’s.

first aid

Professional First Aid cover is provided at all Tigers Challenge festival playing venues.

If you have any queries or any other information regarding any of the tournament information detailed above, please call ESF Events on 01664 566360 or email info@tigerschallenge.co.uk