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Special Report: MSC Cup to return to Chelsea FC's Stamford Bridge in 2026
Cruise group invites travel companies to enter football tournament and raise funds for Reuben’s Retreat
Forget the Premier League and the World Cup. The football community has its eyes on the biggest tournament of the lot: the MSC Cup, which will again see the travel industry flex its sporting muscles at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge.
The seven-a-side event, taking place on Wednesday, May 27, will feature up to 10 teams and raise money for Reuben’s Retreat.
Last year’s tournament generated more than £30,000 for the Derbyshire-based charity, which supports families who have suffered the loss of a child or have a child living with complex medical needs.
Antonio Paradiso, vice-president of international sales at MSC Cruises, said he is “really looking forward” to the competition, which has previously counted Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola among the spectators. Paradiso added: “It’s a fantastic opportunity for trade partners to come together and play a fun football tournament on the hallowed turf, all while raising money for our charity partner Reuben’s Retreat. Last year we raised £30,215 to support its incredible work.”
The end goal
Nicola Graham, the charity’s founder, said: “We are so excited to see the return of the MSC Cup! Every penny raised takes us a step closer as we #BuildTogether to #CompleteTheRetreat, brick by brick.
“We are nearing our end goal: completing our vision so we can become the destination we always promised to be for our beneficiary families. We are incredibly grateful to every team that enters, and we feel truly blessed to have friends like Antonio and the amazing teams at MSC Cruises. Their compassion, commitment and dedication to making a difference mean the world to us.”
Last year’s competition was won for the first time by the ‘home’ team, MSC Cruises, who beat Travel Counsellors in the final, while Ice Travel Group and Eurocamp’s combined team won the Plate final.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of tournament media partner Travel Weekly, said: “The MSC Cup is a true festival of football, with the match-ups routinely demonstrating the good, the bad and the downright shambolic. Above all, it’s a reflection of the travel industry’s fun-loving spirit and its determination to support worthwhile causes.
“Travel Weekly has supported Nicola since she first conceived the idea of building Reuben’s Retreat in her son’s memory, back in 2012, and hopes the charity will receive the strong backing it deserves to continue its vital work in the northwest of England and beyond.”
Pictures: Chelsea FC via Getty Images/Darren Walsh
Enter a team!
- The MSC Cup 2026 takes place on Wednesday, May 27, from 9am-12pm
- Squads can have up to 10 players, at least two of whom must be women, with all participants needing to be employees of the represented company
- Entry costs £3,000 per team (additional contributions are welcome) and all proceeds will go to Reuben’s Retreat
- Spectators are welcome at a cost of £25 per person, with up to 10 permitted per team
- Drinks and refreshments will be provided
- Teams can secure their space by emailing:fundraising@ReubensRetreat.org
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