‘Stangs Take On
the WORLD

JamFest Europe
June 6 - Sunday, June 7, 2026
Manchester, England

Late Spring and Travel Itinerary

See Band Calendar for Spring Practice and Choreo Days

Tuesday, May 26 - Tuesday, June 2 - Practice Days (Times TBA - will work around Elite Choreo)

Tuesday, June 2 - Last Practice and Earliest Departure Day

  • 10:00 - noon - Last Practice in Dallas; first option to travel to Europe this afternoon

  • Earliest Departure Date for any flight leaving after 10:00 a.m. Practice

Wednesday, June 3 - Optional Travel Day

Thursday, June 4 - Optional Travel Day

Friday, June 5 - Travel Day, Arrival Day in Manchester

  • All Athletes arrive in Manchester

  • 8:30 a.m. Team Photos - for athletes staying in London (Buckingham Palace, Big Bend, Tower of London, etc.) before leaving for the train station - TBA (optional!)

  • 9:00 a.m. Depart Team Photos for hotel to change and leave for train station

  • Approx. 10:00 (Exact Train Times have not been released) a.m. to 12:19 p.m. - Avanti Train from London Euston to Manchester (Man) Picadilly

  • 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Practice - Meet in Edwardian Hotel Lobby at 2:00 to walk to St. John’s Gardens for practice (location is tentative)

  • 3:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. Enjoy downtown Manchester or the hotel

  • 6:15 p.m. - Meet in Lobby to walk to Team Dinner

  • 6:30 p.m. - Team Dinner at Italiana Fifty Five in the Great Northern Warehouse behind the Edwardian Hotel

Saturday, June 6 - Competition Day!
Block Schedule Coming Soon

Sunday, June 7 - Competition Day!
Block Schedule Coming Soon

Sunday, June 8 - Travel Day from Manchester

London Hotel Recommendations

Mustang Hotel Block

The Londoner Hotel
Leicester Square

For a Hotel Overview and information on our room types, check out our Hotel Look Book below!

Address: 38 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7DX, United Kingdom

Booking Instructions:

Book directly through hotel in the Mustang Block:

  • Call: 011-44-207-451-0101

  • Email: reservations@thelondoner.com

  • Code: MUST030626


Dates: The nights of Wednesday, June 3rd and Thursday, June 4th, 2026

(extended group rate for shoulder nights)

Booking Deadline: April 3rd. Our travel agent, Katie Roach, can assist you with reservations.

Hotel Block Booking Info

Radisson Blu Hotel 
Leicester Square

Although we do not have a formal Mustang hotel block at the Radisson, it is another great option for London and located next door to the Londoner.

Address: 31-36 Leicester Square, London WC2H 7LH, United Kingdom

Phone: +44 20 7839 9399

Booking Link: https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-london-leicester-square

Train from London to Manchester

London Euston to Manchester Picadilly

If you would like to travel with Mustang from London to Manchester on Friday, June 5th, see plans below!

Meet Time: Approx. 9:30 a.m. but specific time TBA (30 minutes before departure)

Meeting Location: Square outside of Euston Station (with large train schedule on screens)

Ticket Booking: June 2026 Tickets posted soon; Book Avanti West train from London Euston to Manchester Picadilly

Departure: Times TBA - approx. 10:00 a.m. Arrival: approx. 12:00 p.m.

Mustang Hotel Block

Edwardian Hotel, Manchester

Manchester Hotel Information

Edwardian Hotel

Free Trade Hall, Peter St, Manchester M2 5GP, United Kingdom

BOOKING DEADLINE: Tuesday, May 6th, 2026

The Edwardian Hotel is conveniently located across the street from the Convention Center and downtown central to restaurants and shopping. Because this event is not a “stay-to-play,” you are welcome to stay at any hotel of your choice!

Booking Instructions:

Contact the hotel directly to book in the Mustang block:

  • Call: 011-44-161-835-9929 (press 1 and then 2)

  • Email: groups.manchester@edwardian.com

  • Code: MUST05626

  • Dates: The nights of Friday, June 5th - Saturday, June 6th (Note - we do not have the Block Schedule yet so are recommending you go ahead and book Sunday night in case we are not able to leave.

    (extended group rate for shoulder nights)

  • For additional information on room types and hotel details, check out the Hotel Look Book. To contact Mustang’s travel agent, email Katie Roach at kroach@departurelounge.com.

Hotel Block Booking INFO

JamFest Block and Performance Order

(Coming Late January ‘26)

Varsity Europe Athlete Participation Waiver

(Coming Spring ‘26)

JamFest Competition Information

NEW as of 2025!
UK Visa Application
Requirement

UK Visa applications are required for all adults and children. To make the process easier, we recommend using the app rather than the website.

You can find all the details by CLICKING HERE.

London Sightseeing and and Restaurant Ideas

Theme: “Royal and Historic London” Full Day Itinerary

Combining iconic landmarks, regal history, dramatic stories, and just the right amount of fun. Think castles, crowns, carriages, and a few Instagrammable stops too!

9:30 AM – Visit the Tower of London

  • Why: Crown Jewels, Yeoman Warders (“Beefeaters”), raven legends, and tales of queens & intrigue.

11:30 AM – Tower Bridge Experience

  • Why: Walk across glass floors high above the Thames, and learn about Victorian engineering.

12:30 PM – Lunch at Borough Market

  • Why: London’s most iconic food market — grab a gourmet grilled cheese, tacos, or crepes.

1:30 PM – Stroll Along the South Bank (Optional: London Eye or Thames Cruise)

  • Why: Gorgeous river views, street art, live performers, and optional stops:

3:00 PM – Buckingham Palace & St. James’s Park

  • Why: Royal palace photo ops and possibly Changing of the Guard (check schedule).

  • Website (Palace): rct.uk/visit/buckingham-palace

  • Park: royalparks.org.uk

  • Tickets: Buckingham Palace interior tours available in summer; otherwise enjoy the grounds.

4:00 PM – Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace (or Sketch)

  • Option A: The Rubens at the Palace

  • Option B: Sketch (The Gallery)

    • Funky, artsy afternoon tea in iconic pink or yellow rooms.

    • Website: sketch.london

5:30 PM – Explore Westminster Abbey (if still open) or Take Photos at Big B

7:00 PM – Dinner at The Ivy Victoria or Brown’s Hotel

  • Option A: The Ivy Victoria

  • Option B: Charlie’s at Brown’s Hotel

Bonus Add-On Ideas:

Theme: “Chic Shopping & Selfies” Full Day Itinerary

London Itinerary for a trendy 14-year-old girl and her parents — filled with stylish boutiques, selfie moments, and plenty of café stops to recharge.

10:00 AM – Brunch at EL&N Café (Mayfair or Oxford Circus)

  • Why: Pink floral walls, heart-shaped waffles, glitter lattes — perfect Insta start.

11:15 AM – Selfie Factory or Dopamine Land

  • Option A: Selfie Factory (Westfield White City)

  • Option B: Dopamine Land (Kensington/High Street)

1:00 PM – Covent Garden: Shopping + Street Style

  • Why: Boutiques (Glossier, Charlotte Tilbury, M.A.C), Apple Market, fun street performers.

  • Snack Tip: Grab a bubble tea at CUPP or an ice cream at Milk Train (cotton candy cones).

  • Website: coventgarden.london

2:30 PM – Walk to Neal’s Yard (5 mins)

  • Why: One of London’s most colorful hidden courtyards — ideal photo spot.

  • Shops/Cafés: Wild Food Café, Neal’s Yard Remedies.

  • Free to visit

  • Neal’s Yard on Google Maps

3:00 PM – Visit Glossier London (just off Covent Garden)

  • Why: Stylish makeup/skincare store that feels like a beauty playground.

  • Address: 43 King St, London WC2E 8JY

  • Website: glossier.com

4:00 PM – Peggy Porschen (Belgravia or Chelsea)

  • Why: Iconic pastel-pink bakery covered in flowers — cakes are cute and delicious.

  • Website: peggyporschen.com

5:00 PM – King’s Road or Carnaby Street for Late Shopping

  • Option A: King’s Road (Chelsea)

    • Chic boutiques, vintage shops, and cool cafés.

  • Option B: Carnaby Street (Soho)

    • Edgier, more youthful — shops like Brandy Melville, Skinnydip, Urban Outfitters.

6:30 PM – Dinner at Circolo Popolare or Gloria

  • Why: Over-the-top Italian food, twinkly lights, and giant desserts to share.

  • Website (Both): bigmammagroup.com

Manchester Hot Spots

Afternoon Itinerary: Trendy Shopping + Insta Moments

 

Start: The Edwardian Manchester, 3:00 PM

  • Elegant hotel exterior – quick group selfie before heading out!

3:10–3:45 PM – 

New Cathedral Street & Market Street

(5–7 min walk from hotel)

Trendy shopping meets perfect photo backdrops.

Must-Shop:

  • Sephora (Arndale): For beauty testing & selfies with the bright, modern displays

  • Lululemon: Try-on mirror selfies in stylish athleisure

  • Zara: Great seasonal fashion

  • Brandy Melville (in Selfridges): Simple, cool-girl vibe

  • Urban Outfitters: Trendy interiors & photo-worthy dressing rooms

Instagrammable Spots:

  • Arndale’s Sephora Entrance – sleek black/white stripes

  • Selfridges escalator atrium – artsy lighting + mirror shots

  • Manchester Bee Pavement Mosaic on Exchange Square (right outside Selfridges)

3:45–4:10 PM – 

Sweet Treat Stop

Choose your vibe:

  • Milksha (Market Street) – pastel boba shop with cute branding

  • Ginger’s Comfort Emporium inside Afflecks – gourmet ice cream like “Marmalade on Toast”

Instagrammable Spot:

  • Milksha neon signs

  • Afflecks stairwell graffiti & mirror walls – a must-shoot stop

4:10–5:00 PM – 

Afflecks Palace + Northern Quarter Boutiques

Walk through the artsy Northern Quarter – creative energy and street style.

Explore:

  • Punky Pins – Fun earrings & stickers

  • Soapy J – Rainbow bath bombs

  • Pop Boutique – Retro ‘90s fashion

  • Thunder Egg – Kawaii fashion and accessories

Instagrammable Spots:

  • Afflecks Rooftop Window – bright painted windows

  • Tib Street & Oldham Street Murals – including the iconic “I MCR” mural

  • Record shops like Piccadilly Records – aesthetic album walls

5:00–5:30 PM – 

Street Art Stroll & Posing Session

Slowly loop back through:

  • Stevenson Square – rotating wall murals

  • Bee Wings Mural (Thomas Street) – stand in front for cute winged selfies

  • Pink phone box on Tib Street – TikTok heaven

5:30–6:00 PM – 

Cathedral Gardens & Back to The Edwardian

  • Chill at Cathedral Gardens (grass, fountain, benches)

  • Catch golden hour lighting for soft sunset selfies

  • Loop back past Royal Exchange Theatre’s arches – very photogenic