Ghent
Rugby Festival
GHENT
RUGBY FESTIVAL
Ghent Rugby Festival in Belgium
Catering to U16, U17, U18, U19 and veteran teams, the Ghent Rugby Festival sees teams from around the world gather in true celebration of the sport!
Having run for 30+ years, Ghent Rugby Festival is a staple on every rugby calendar. This dynamic and lively event brings players from around the world into a hub of activity. Aside from the on-pitch drama, there are parties well into the evenings on all three weekend nights.
Ghent is one of Belgium’s oldest cities and one of the chief towns of the medieval county of Flanders. By the 13th century it was one of the largest towns in northern Europe and recognised for its warm welcome to tourists and visitors. Several group-friendly accommodations are available to host your team across the Easter weekend, all located within the walls of this ancient city.
When and how long?
Four-day festival. Friday 3rd April - Monday 6th April 2026
Four-day festival. Easter 2027 - Dates - TBC
Age Groups
Excursions
Brewery tour
Design Museum Ghent
St. James' Church, Ghent
Belgian Chocolate Making class
Museum Yoor Achone Kunsten
Theme parks
Case Studies
Example Itinerary
Day 1
04:00: Assemble at your clubhouse ready for coach departure.
COACH DETAILS
Amenities: Executive coach with air conditioning and toilets (Please note: the toilets are for use in an emergency only, the coach driver will stop at services for toilet stops if required)
Luggage: 1 x hand luggage to take on board and 1 x checked bag to go in the hold
05:15: Coach will arrive ready to load, please ensure you have all of your belongings including passports.
05:30: Scheduled departure from clubhouse towards The Port of Dover.
FERRY
You are required to arrive 1.5h hours before your departure time.
11:00: Latest group check-in time.
12:35: Scheduled ferry departure from Dover to Calais.
15:05: Arrive in to Calais and re-join as a group with your coach.
Transfer from Calais to your accommodation in Ghent on your chartered coach.
Journey time: Approx. 2h 15 mins
18:00: Arrive at the hotel and make your way to the hotel on foot (5-10 mins walk).
Check in to Ibis Budget Gent Centrum Dampoort for the next three nights, on a bed & breakfast basis (based on twin/triple rooms).
Please note: City tax is to be paid on arrival and will be 3,30 € per adult per night. A damage holding deposit of 500€ will also be taken by credit card and released after check out, providing no damage has been done.
Rooming arrangements: TBC (see rooming list with names – TBC)
Accommodation | Ibis Budget Gent Centrum Dampoort
Day 2
06:30 – 08:30: Breakfast included at your accommodation.
08:30: The coach will pick you up from the hotel to take you to Ghent Rugby Festival.
Journey time: Approx. 20 mins
09:00: Arrive at Ghent Rugby Festival. Take in the festival atmosphere and prepare for the start of the tournament.
18:00: Prize ceremony at the end of the day.
19:00: Board the coach back to the hotel.
Journey time: Approx. 20 mins
19:20: Arrive back at the parking area.
Rest of the evening at your own leisure.
Accommodation | Ibis Budget Gent Centrum Dampoort
Day 3
06:30 – 10:00: Breakfast included at your accommodation.
Today you have a full free day in Ghent to explore.
The vibrant city of Ghent is a brilliant weekend trip. Ghent offers a quirky, fascinating cultural cocktail brimming with rich history, culture and a trendy city vibe. Ghent is a chilled-out city where anything goes: a city break on a human scale. Take a look at all the sights in the vibrant city of Ghent. There are so many must-see attractions to visit, please see below recommendations (entrance fees to attractions not included):
– Saint Bavo’s Cathedral (Ghent Altarpiece)
– Ghent City Hall
– Belfry of Ghent Tower
– Saint Nicholas’ Church
– Grass Quay (‘Graslei’)
– Corn Quay (‘Korenlei’)
– St Michael’s Bridge
– Saint Michael’s Church
– Great Butcher’s Hall (‘Groot Vleeshuis’)
– Castle of the Counts (‘Graventseen’)
All of these points of interest are a 20-25 mins walk from the hotel, or 12-15 mins on a 3€ bus (10, 11, 12a and 12b) to/from Gent Dampoort.
Please note: You will not have use of the coach today.
Accommodation | Ibis Budget Gent Centrum Dampoort
Day 4
06:30 – 10:30: Breakfast included at your accommodation.
Please be sure to check the rooms and do a passport check before you depart.
11:00: Assemble in the hotel lobby ready for coach departure.
11:15: Load your coach and please ensure you have all of your belongings.
11:30: Scheduled departure from Ghent towards The Port of Calais.
FERRY
You are required to arrive 2 hours before your departure time.
13:55: Latest group check-in time.
Go through passport control and board the ferry.
15:55: Scheduled departure from Calais to Dover.
15:05: Arrive in to Dover and re-join as a group with your coach.
Please note: France is + 1 hour ahead of UK time.
Transfer from Dover back to the clubhouse on your chartered coach.
20:30: Approximate arrival back to the clubhouse.
End of arrangements with MSG Tours.
Pricing and Inclusions
INCLUSIONS: MSG14895
TRANSFERSÂ
– 4 x days’ private executive coach hire with driver
– Tournament day transfers
– Channel ferry crossings
– 1 x item of hand luggage
– 1 x item of hold luggage
ACCOMMODATION
– 3 x nights’ at Ibis Budget Ghent in quad-share rooms and on B&B basis
EXCURSIONS
– 1 x tournament entry fee for Ghent International Rugby Festival
TOUR EXCLUSIONS
– Meals other than breakfast
– Optional excursions listed
– Local city tax paid at hostel for over 16’s
– Travel Insurance
– Visas
2026 PRICE
£393.00 per person based on 45 paying passengers (quad-share rooms).
*PAYMENT PLAN*
DEPOSIT – £50 per person
Interim payment:  2 x £75 interim payments at equal intervals between deposit payment and final balance payment.
Final balance: 10 weeks prior to departure
"Great tour overall which makes it hard to draw it down to one standout moment!! First time we have been abroad and MSG made it so easy and stess-free to organise. So a big thank you."
Leicester Forest RFC
Other Sports
Basketball
Football
Cricket
Hockey
Waterpolo
Swimming
Netball
