Join the MCC and Events Travel on the sporting journey of a lifetime.
This exclusive MCC Members’ Tour will not be repeated and connects Members beyond the boundary. Through a shared love of sport, camaraderie on tour, and the forging of new friendships that last long after the final ball, Members will experience the drama of an Ashes Test at Lord’s combined with an exclusive luxury river cruise through the Douro Valley and the sun-soaked capitals of Portugal. With exciting day tours, including Salamanca in Spain, group dinners, guaranteed ticket access and reciprocal arrangements at Lord’s, luxury accommodation, transport and sightseeing, plus much more, this is the ultimate MCC Members’ Tour — one that will be talked about for many series to come.
The Melbourne Cricket Club invites Members and their partners on a 21-day tour from London to Lisbon, beginning with seven nights in Mayfair for the second Test of The Ashes 2027 at Lord’s, the Home of Cricket. This is the sixth UK Ashes tour Events Travel has operated on behalf of the MCC since 2005 — and with reciprocal arrangements between the Melbourne Cricket Club and the Marylebone Cricket Club expected to offer eligible Members the rare privilege of Pavilion entry, there is no more immersive way to experience it.
Your journey begins in London with the Lord’s Test, the Lord’s Test Dinner — past editions have welcomed guests including Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting — and time to explore the capital, with The Championships at Wimbledon an optional addition. From there, fly to Porto for two nights above the Port wine cellars of Gaia, before boarding the Avalon Alegria for a seven-night luxury Douro river cruise — the entire ship exclusively chartered for the MCC, so every guest on board is part of your touring party. Daily included excursions through the world’s oldest demarcated wine region, a day trip by coach to the golden city of Salamanca in Spain, and every meal on board. The tour concludes with four nights on Lisbon’s grand Avenida da Liberdade, with a guided city tour, a full day in UNESCO-listed Sintra and coastal Cascais, and the Farewell Dinner to close the tour.
Departing Melbourne in high summer for England — Lord’s at its best and the Douro in full leaf — this is a rare chance to combine the greatest rivalry in cricket with two of Europe’s most rewarding destinations, travelling with fellow MCC Members through Events Travel, proudly operating MCC Members’ Tours on behalf of the MCC since 2005.
Enquire now or get in touch to secure your place on this exclusive MCC Members’ Tour.
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Events Travel is proud to operate this tour on behalf of the MCC, and it is our great pleasure to welcome Members and their partners on the next instalment of The Ashes in 2027. The tour features the second Test at Lord’s, followed by Portugal: a luxury river cruise on the Douro to the Spanish border, with a day trip by coach to the golden city of Salamanca, before finishing in style in Lisbon.
There is nothing in sport quite like an Ashes Test at Lord’s. For over two decades, Members’ Tours have brought MCC Members to the Home of Cricket, and every past Member would confirm it: the walk up St John’s Wood Road on the first morning, the beauty of the Pavilion, the slope, the roar as the opening ball is bowled, the festive British summer atmosphere, and the drama that only the Ashes can deliver.
This year we have paired it with something equally special, a full charter of the Avalon Alegria on the Douro, exclusively for the MCC, where Members will be treated to a bespoke journey through the famous wine region, with touring of Porto and the Douro Valley, and an excursion to Salamanca in Spain.
This is the sixth UK Ashes tour Events Travel has operated on behalf of the MCC since 2005. In that time, Members have travelled a long way from Members’ Tours to the US Open tennis in New York, the World Test Championship Final in London, The Open Championship in Northern Ireland, the Singapore Grand Prix and, most recently, the Japanese Grand Prix, alongside history tours and the ANZAC pilgrimage to Gallipoli. Six UK Ashes series on, the formula hasn’t changed, the best of the Ashes, the best of new destinations, all the details taken care of, and a connection to the Club and fellow Members that goes beyond the boundary.
Events Travel arranges every element of this tour in-house, exclusively for the MCC, and our Tour Hosts will be by your side every step of the way.
We can’t wait to see familiar faces and meet new ones as we journey to The Ashes 2027.
Bon voyage.
Glenn Hedley,
Director, Events Travel
| TOUR OPTIONS | DOUBLE/TWIN* | SINGLE |
|---|---|---|
| Full tour | A$17,559 | A$23,569 |
| Tour (excluding group flights) | A$14,949 | A$20,959 |
| FLIGHT UPGRADES | PER PERSON |
|---|---|
| Economy Class | Incl. |
| Premium Economy | +$5,787 |
| Business Class | +$9,370 |
| First Class | ON REQUEST |
| ROOM UPGRADES | DOUBLE/TWIN* | SINGLE | ROOM SIZE |
|---|---|---|---|
| The May Fair Hotel upgrades (7 nights) | |||
| Superior Collection | Incl. | Incl. | 22 sqm |
| Deluxe Collection | +$199 | +$399 | 30 sqm |
| Premium Collection | +$299 | +$599 | 35 sqm |
| Premium Executive | +$599 | +$1,199 | 35 sqm |
| Studio Suite | +$2,199 | +$4,396 | 45 sqm |
| Hilton Porto Gaia (2 nights) | |||
| King Guest Room | Incl. | Incl. | 34-36 sqm |
| King Deluxe with Terrace | +$81 | +$162 | 34 sqm |
| King Duplex Suite | +$201 | +$402 | 78 sqm |
| Avalon Alegria (7 nights) | |||
| Indigo Deck (Cat. E) | Incl. | Incl. | 16 sqm |
| Indigo Deck (Cat. D) | +$279 | +$419 | 17 sqm |
| Sapphire Deck (Cat. B) | +$1,679 | +$2,519 | 18.5 sqm |
| Sapphire Deck (Cat. A) | +$1,819 | +$2,729 | 18.5 sqm |
| Royal Deck (Cat. P) | +$1,889 | +$2,834 | 18.5 sqm |
| Tivoli Avenida Liberdade (4 nights) | |||
| Deluxe | Incl. | Incl. | 23 sqm |
| Deluxe City View Signature | +$510 | +$1,020 | 23 sqm |
| Deluxe River View Signature | +$609 | +$1,216 | 23 sqm |
| Premium Avenue View Signature | +$706 | +$1,412 | 23 sqm |
| Junior Suite Signature | +2,471 | +$4,941 | 45 sqm |
| Biatriz Costa Suite | +$9,804 | +19,608 | 104 sqm |
International flights departing Melbourne are included in the full tour fare and are optional for all Members.
Flights can be removed to allow Members complete flexibility to change departure/return dates, utilise Frequent Flyer points and if required, other routings.
If Members’ would like to fly with the group to London and return later, including from other cities, we can offer an amended group fare where the return only is adjusted. In this instance, a return fare adjustment and rerouting fee may apply.
If removing group flights altogether, please note that group airport transfers on arrival and departure are fixed and designed to meet the group flights. If flying on different dates, airports or times, you will need to make your own way to/from the airport and the tour accommodation — our team can provide transport options, including private transfers to ensure a seamless experience.
The tour includes the right to buy guaranteed tickets to the second Test of the 2027 Rothesay Men’s Ashes Series at Lord’s across all five days, Wednesday, 30 June to Sunday, 4 July 2027.
Test tickets are optional and still being finalised by the England and Wales Cricket Board. When booking the tour, your ticketing preferences will be noted, and once pricing is finalised an order form will be distributed to all booked Members.
Lord’s Test ticket prices for 2027 have not yet been released by the England and Wales Cricket Board. Pricing will be published here and distributed to all booked Members as soon as it is confirmed.
Ticket preferences are noted at the time of booking (which days you would like to attend). Once 2027 pricing is confirmed, an order form will be sent to all booked Members. Stands and seating locations are yet to be confirmed by Marylebone Cricket Club.
Reciprocal arrangements between the Melbourne Cricket Club and the Marylebone Cricket Club apply on days four and five of the Lord’s Test, by MCC membership category:
Full Members receive access to the Lord’s Pavilion, including ground entry and unreserved Pavilion seating.
Provisional and Restricted Members can access Rover tickets, admitting the bearer to the unreserved section of the Members’ Friends’ Enclosures. Rover tickets do not include access to the Pavilion.
Reciprocal ticketing for the Lord’s Test is pre-arranged — there is nothing to apply for. Members or partners not eligible for Pavilion or Rover access can order reserved seats for days four and five alongside days one to three.
A formal dress code applies in the Pavilion at all times.
Pavilion stewards enforce the code without exception, so pack accordingly. Elsewhere in the ground, dress is smart casual.
Launched in 2024 and purpose-built for the Douro, the Avalon Alegria is a Suite Ship carrying just 102 guests in 51 staterooms, served by a crew of 33. For this MCC Members’ Tour the entire ship is exclusively chartered for the MCC — every guest on board is part of your touring party, from the Sun Deck to the Dining Room. In Portuguese, “alegria” means joy, happiness, delight or cheerfulness — a fitting name for a week on the world’s oldest demarcated wine river.
See the pricing chart for stateroom categories and rates.
All small group tours are accompanied by a Tour Manager, who are there to assist with day-to-day activities and provide on-site support throughout the journey. A professional driver operates all group transport unless specified otherwise.
A good level of health and moderate fitness are required to fully enjoy this tour. Activities may include walking significant distances, boarding coaches, navigating uneven surfaces, and visiting attractions, event venues or stadiums. If you have accessibility needs or health concerns, please speak with our team prior to booking so we can advise on suitability and, where possible, make special arrangements in advance.
Travellers acknowledge that neither Events Travel nor its suppliers can provide medical or mobility assistance if you are unable to participate in part or all of the tour due to your health or physical condition. Events Travel will not be liable for any loss, damage, expense, injury, or death arising from such circumstances.
Our itineraries balance guided experiences with free time, allowing you to explore destinations at your own pace or enjoy hotel facilities at leisure. If you wish to arrange additional sightseeing or activities, our team can assist when booking, or your Tour Manager can provide recommendations during the trip. Some experiences may sell out well in advance, so we encourage booking optional activities as early as possible. We recommend securing extras soon after making your booking, and we can provide pricing, recommendations and booking links.
Many hotels are set within historic or boutique buildings. This often adds charm and character but can also mean that rooms vary in size, shape and layout — even within the same category. Features such as air conditioning, elevators, and modern amenities may be limited or differ between hotels. If you have specific requirements, please let us know prior to booking so we can advise on the most suitable options.
The tour itinerary remains subject to change due to operational requirements, weather, venue availability, or other circumstances beyond our control. While every effort will be made to follow the itinerary as described, Events Travel reserves the right to amend, substitute, or vary the order of activities without prior notice to ensure the best possible tour experience.
Hotel information, descriptions and images are provided for reference only and are sourced from official hotel websites or suppliers. Amenities, facilities and features are subject to change without notice. All hotels are subject to confirmation in the final itinerary. If a listed property becomes unavailable, a hotel of an equivalent or higher standard will be offered in its place (“or similar”). In the rare instance that a lower standard property is provided, a price reduction will apply.
All tours are subject to a minimum number of passengers to proceed. The required minimum will vary depending on the tour and is determined by Events Travel in its sole discretion.
If minimum numbers are not met by a specified cut-off date, Events Travel reserves the right to cancel the tour. In such circumstances, affected customers will be notified in writing and offered the following options:
Important notice: Do not make any non-refundable or non-changeable travel arrangements (including flights, accommodation or other services) until Events Travel has confirmed that the tour has reached minimum numbers and is proceeding as scheduled. Events Travel will not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses (including cancellation or change fees) you incur as a result of a tour being cancelled, rescheduled or materially altered due to minimum numbers not being met.
This clause operates in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Where applicable, refunds will be made in line with your statutory entitlements.
Every journey is different. With more than 30 years of experience, our team can tailor your trip with flexible services and extras, designing the perfect itinerary and sourcing the best available rates and options using our experience and networks, tailored to your preferences and trip. Many guests choose to extend their trip beyond the event itself, combining their experience with a broader holiday — whether it’s a few extra days, a few weeks or a stopover.
Available services include:
Start planning today — enquire now for a personalised quote and speak to our expert travel team.
The default currency for this event is AUD ($). We accept AUD, USD, GBP, EUR and NZD on request.
Payment schedule
How to make payment
Your invoice will include instructions for payment via direct bank transfer (EFT) or secure online credit/debit card payment. Each invoice contains a Pay Now link directing you to a secure payment portal for quick and easy card payments.
How to pay in other currencies
Invoices can be issued and paid in AUD, USD, GBP, EUR or NZD. If you would like to pay in a different currency to the default currency for this event, please contact our team to request an updated invoice. The total will be converted at the best available mid-market exchange rate, with updated payment instructions provided.
Payments in AUD
Payments in USD, GBP, EUR or NZD
If you have any questions about this product or need assistance with your booking, our team is here to help.
Please email us at res@events.com.au or call us on +61 3 5989 7666.
Call our team on +613 5989 7666 or email res@events.com.au — we're ready!
Your MCC Members’ Tour begins today, departing Melbourne on Emirates EK409 to Dubai and connecting to EK3, arriving London Heathrow this evening. You will be met in the arrivals hall by your Events Travel Tour Managers and MCC Tour Hosts and escorted by coach to The May Fair Hotel in the heart of Mayfair, where group check-in is arranged on arrival with your Welcome Pack and Visitor Oyster Card provided to your room.
A morning orientation tour of London by coach, taking in Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, Trafalgar Square and the royal parks — the ideal way to get your bearings on the eve of the Ashes. The afternoon is at leisure, with Lord’s ticket collection ahead of tomorrow’s opening day, before the Welcome Reception this evening with drinks and canapés. Optional: a Wimbledon tennis experience with official Debenture tickets on No. 1 Court or Centre Court (additional cost, in place of the morning’s orientation tour).
Play begins in the Lord’s Test. Two centuries of cricketing history under royal patronage and the urn at stake — day one at Lord’s is an occasion all of its own. Your Tour Managers and MCC Tour Hosts escort the group to Lord’s via the Tube this morning, so everyone knows the route. Between sessions, make time for the MCC Museum — the oldest sporting museum in the world and home of the original Ashes urn — or find a glass of something cold in the champagne garden.
Day two at Lord’s — the day both innings take shape, when the pitch is at its best and reputations are made. Bradman’s famous 254 came on a day two here; a century at Lord’s means a place on the honours boards forever. Tonight is the Lord’s Test Dinner, a multi-course dinner with free flow drinks, live entertainment and plenty of cricket talk; past editions have welcomed guests including Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting, at venues from an exclusive hire of Madame Tussauds to a river cruise on the Thames.
Often the day a Test turns, and traditionally one of the great social days at Lord’s, with the ground at its fullest and liveliest. Reciprocal arrangements between the Melbourne Cricket Club and the Marylebone Cricket Club are expected to apply, offering eligible Members the rare privilege of Pavilion entry at Lord’s, including the Long Room. A formal Pavilion dress code applies.
Day four, with the Test building towards its conclusion — and, for eligible Members, another opportunity to watch from the Pavilion, walking the same corridors as the players between sessions. The evening is at leisure: theatre, a pub dinner with the friends you’ve made along the way, or catching up on the AFL season back home.
If the Test reaches a fifth day, this is Test cricket at its most gripping — a result in the balance and every session decisive. If the Test finishes early, the day is yours in London: a final unhurried Sunday for the galleries, the parks, a long lunch or last-minute shopping before the tour turns towards Portugal.
After a final British breakfast, depart London by coach for a short flight to Porto, transferring directly to the Hilton Porto Gaia in the heart of the Port wine warehouse district. The afternoon is at leisure — cross the Dom Luís I Bridge into old Porto and the riverside Ribeira, or wander Gaia’s waterfront, where the famous wine cellars and tasting rooms are on your doorstep. This evening, a group dinner at the hotel with drinks included.
A free day to explore Porto at your own pace: the Gaia cable car, the WOW cultural district moments from the hotel, the painted tiles of São Bento station, the Livraria Lello bookshop and the Clérigos Tower, or the historic Line 1 tram to Foz do Douro where the city meets the Atlantic. Prefer a slower day? The hotel’s indoor pool, spa and panoramic bar overlooking the Douro make a fine afternoon of their own. Optional: a private tasting at Cockburn’s Port Lodge in Gaia (additional cost).
This afternoon we board the Avalon Alegria to begin our week-long Douro river cruise — the entire ship operated exclusively for the MCC, your floating home among fellow Members, with added sports viewing arranged on board where possible. This evening is a special one: a sunset cruise on the Douro with dinner on board, before berthing for the night in Porto.
Choose from today’s included excursions: a guided sightseeing tour of Porto and Matosinhos, from ancient avenues to avant-garde street art; or a full-day guided tour of Braga, where five Roman roads once met, continuing to Guimarães — birthplace of Portugal — with its medieval castle and the Church of São Miguel. Back on board, feel the passion of Portugal’s soulful fado music, performed by local musicians as we begin our journey up the river.
We are now in the heart of the Douro Valley. Choose from a personal tour of one of the valley’s oldest working farms with a wine tasting, a wine painting class with a resident artist, or a guided walking tour of Lamego with a taste of the local bola de Lamego beneath the majestic cathedral. A short sailing brings us to Pinhão, the prettiest village on the river.
A relaxing cruise to Pocinho for a day in the Terra Quente, the “warm lands” of the upper Douro. Discover the river by kayak, visit a historic vineyard estate for a tasting of red, white and Port wines, or join a workshop on the art of azulejos, Portugal’s traditional painted tiles. Tonight, a flamenco show on board as we near the Spanish border.
The reign in Spain. Choose a full-day excursion across the border to Salamanca, one of Spain’s most beautiful cities — golden sandstone streets and squares in Romanesque, Gothic, baroque and Plateresque styles, crowned by the Plaza Mayor; or gentler alternatives to the remote village of Freixo de Espada à Cinta in the Douro International Natural Park, or the hilltop village of Castelo Rodrigo.
A leisurely morning’s sailing through the Douro gorge, with the terraced vineyards at their most dramatic from the Sun Deck, and a Portuguese pastry demonstration and wine lecture on board. This afternoon, visit a wine-producing property for a tasting of Vinho Verde, or take a guided visit to Casa de Mateus — the baroque palace on the “Mateus Rosé” label.
Returning to where the Douro meets the sea. Choose a guided bike tour along the wharfs and coastline of Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, a guided visit to one of Gaia’s famous Port wine cellars with a tasting, or a guided sightseeing tour of Porto. The afternoon is at leisure for a last wander through the cobblestone lanes and shops.
After a final breakfast on board, we disembark the Avalon Alegria and travel south by coach to Lisbon, breaking the journey near the university city of Coimbra. Check in to the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade, a 1933 city landmark and member of The Leading Hotels of the World, on Lisbon’s grandest boulevard. The evening is at leisure — the Avenida and the streets around it are made for a first-night stroll.
A guided tour of Lisbon, a city of seven hills where historic and modern architecture sit side by side, from the Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery to the grand squares of the Baixa — and no visit is complete without a pastel de nata from the bakery that invented them, Pastéis de Belém. The afternoon is free for the old town: ride the historic Tram 28 through the Alfama’s narrow lanes to the Sé Cathedral, and take in sweeping views from the miradouros.
A full day exploring Sintra, the UNESCO-listed hill town of palaces, gardens and follies that enchanted kings and poets, with time for lunch at your own pace in the town. We return to Lisbon along the Atlantic coast via Cascais, the elegant seaside resort of beaches and grand mansions.
Today is deliberately free — a last full day in Portugal to explore Lisbon your own way: the sights, the shops, a long lunch, or a lazy afternoon on the Avenida. This evening, join your Tour Managers, MCC Tour Hosts and fellow Members for the Farewell Dinner, a final night together to toast the series, the Douro and three weeks of shared memories.
After a final breakfast, a group coach transfer to Lisbon Airport for Emirates EK192 to Dubai, connecting to EK408 and arriving Melbourne on Monday, 19 July 2027. And so it’s a final farewell — to old faces and to new friends made on this incredible journey from London to Lisbon.
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5-star
Your London home for the Lord's Test is The May Fair, a 5-star landmark in the heart of Mayfair since 1927 — opened by King George V and a West End icon ever since. Refined rooms and suites sit above one of London's most stylish addresses, with breakfast served daily at May Fair Kitchen, the hotel's celebrated Japanese and Italian restaurant. Green Park, Piccadilly, Bond Street and the theatre district are all a short stroll away, with Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park moments beyond — and Lord's an easy journey by taxi or Underground. Contemporary style, a renowned bar and 5-star comfort to return to after each day at the cricket.
5-star
Set in the heart of Vila Nova de Gaia's historic Port wine district — the hotel itself a striking conversion of former wine warehouses — the 5-star Hilton Porto Gaia looks across the Douro to the granite towers and terracotta rooftops of old Porto. Stylish rooms offer river and city views, alongside an indoor pool, fitness centre and on-site dining, with breakfast at ComPosto, the hotel's open-kitchen restaurant. The famous Port cellars and tasting rooms of Gaia are on the doorstep, the WOW cultural district moments away, and the Dom Luís I Bridge and riverside Ribeira a short walk or cable-car ride below. For Port lovers, this is heaven.
5-star
The grand finale deserves a grand address. Opened in 1933 on Lisbon's grandest boulevard, the Tivoli Avenida Liberdade is a city landmark and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World — Art Deco elegance in the lobby, an outdoor pool set in a garden terrace, the Anantara Spa, and the SEEN rooftop bar with panoramic views across the city to the Tagus. Breakfast is served daily at Cervejaria Liberdade, the hotel's celebrated restaurant overlooking the Avenida. Lisbon's iconic neighbourhoods, shopping and dining are on the doorstep, with the old town's trams, miradouros and the Baixa's grand squares within easy reach — a fitting base for the final chapter of the tour.Get in touch to start planning your next sports travel experience.
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