By Salem Chicago News Staff
The Chicago Bears on Thursday announced a five-city tour across the United Kingdom in October, becoming the first NFL team to visit every nation in the UK during a single trip.
Da Chicago Bears UK Grand Tour will feature stops in Bournemouth, Cardiff, Leeds, Glasgow and Belfast, with fan events, brand activations, watch parties and appearances by former players. Former defensive end Israel Idonije will attend events in Bournemouth, and former tight end Zach Miller will appear at the remaining stops.
The tour kicks off Oct. 3 with a brand pop-up at Bournemouth Pier in collaboration with Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. The Bears will host a watch party at Vitality Stadium on Oct. 4 for their Week 4 matchup against the New York Jets.
Cardiff Castle will host a brand pop-up and “Bear Hunt” experience Oct. 10. The tour moves to Leeds Corn Exchange on Oct. 11 for an activation featuring games, local vendor collaborations, Chicago-inspired food options and exclusive merchandise.
A venue takeover at Exceed Glasgow on Oct. 17 will feature a specialty food and drink menu, custom screen-printed gear and live DJs. The tour wraps Oct. 18 at Belfast Common Market with a watch party for the Bears’ game against the Falcons.
“We are thrilled to embark on our historic first tour visiting every country in the United Kingdom to reinforce our unwavering commitment to connecting with and expanding our global Chicago Bears fanbase,” Melissa McDermott, vice president of business strategy, said.
The trip follows the Bears’ fifth consecutive summer UK tour, which included stops in Manchester, Loughborough and Liverpool for flag football clinics, the Chicago Bears UK Girls Flag Championships and a fan activation at the Royal Albert Dock.
The Bears have been part of the NFL’s Global Markets Program and have invested in youth flag football leagues across the UK and Spain. The organization’s UK girls flag football program is in its fourth year, with 43 teams participating across three regions.
Spaces at each activation are limited. The Bears encouraged fans to reserve spots through the team’s UK hub at ChicagoBears.com.
