Pre match rituals, propped for perfection: IHG Hotels & Resorts Fancierge Joe Marler takes rugby fans beyond the game
In Edinburgh for Scotland vs England on Saturday 14th February? Why not try a Highland Games experience with IHG hotels & Resorts!
Article Source: IHG Hotels & Resorts
Last Updated: 30 January 2026 13:44
As fans across Europe, the UK and Ireland eagerly anticipate the return of the Guinness Six Nations, IHG Hotels & Resorts - official hotel partner of the Guinness Six Nations - has launched its first-ever ‘Fancierge’ service. Created for travelling supporters who treat an 80-minute match as the headline act of a weekend getaway, this concierge-style initiative taps into pre-match rituals that begin long before kick-off and outside the stadium.
The launch of IHG’s Fancierge, dedicated to rugby fans, reflects their evolving desire to maximise their time away to explore and connect with host cities beyond the match itself. New research commissioned by IHG Hotels & Resorts into the rituals of rugby fandom, shows that weekends have become a full-blown cultural experience, where supporters chase shared moments, personalised traditions, and total immersion far beyond the final whistle.
Introducing Joe Marler, ‘Fancierge’
Rugby legend Joe Marler has been handed the keys as the IHG Hotels & Resorts ‘Fancierge’, helping supporters unlock the culture and experiences of host cities like never before. In this shiny new role, the former England prop has stepped into Irish dancing, thrown himself into singing with a Welsh male Choir, and tried his hand at whisking up scrumptious French patisserie.
After putting each experience through a proper testing process, Joe - in partnership with IHG - has curated his fan-first activities across all host cities. Highlights include roaming the streets of Rome on a vespa tour, floating through Cardiff on a standup paddleboard before hitting the spa, and welly throwing at a Highland Games experience in Edinburgh.
Survey says… take your trip beyond 80 minutes!
Rugby legend, Joe Marler, comments: “The energy and excitement of an 80-minute rugby match is always special – the emotion, the drama, the atmosphere – but the full experience goes far beyond the game itself. It’s also about soaking up the city and all it has to offer. That’s why I’m teaming up with IHG Hotels & Resorts to be their first ever ‘Fancierge’ to give fans incredible experiences so they can really make the most of the game weekends during the Guinness Six Nations.”
Karin Sheppard, SVP & Managing Director, Europe, at IHG Hotels & Resorts, comments: “IHG’s latest research shows fans are travelling more than ever to follow the sports they love – and staying longer to soak up the full experience. The Guinness Six Nations is a highlight of the European sporting calendar, and as official hotel partner for the third-year running, we’re delighted to launch the new IHG ‘Fancierge’ service. With a portfolio of hotel brands to suit every travelling fan, IHG is excited to welcome and host supporters, helping them discover more of each city through carefully curated, local experiences.”
With 20 different brands to choose from, there’s an IHG hotel to suit every type of fan as they travel for the Guinness Six Nations. Fans can score Joe Marler’s curated ‘Fancierge’ experiences for themselves throughout the Championships, with select weekends hosted by local rugby legends giving travelling supporters insider access to the very best each host city has to offer.
Fans can book on at ihg.fancierge.com
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