A three-week, 50-event schedule sees the Heineken Champions Cup and European Challenge Cup trophies present at venues, events and organisations across the region between 22 March and 14 April.

Go North East will supply a fully-branded bus to transport the two trophies, staff, volunteers and the official mascot, Stephen the Seahorse, to rugby clubs, schools, businesses, public events, major sporting occasions and community groups from Berwick and the Scottish Borders in the north of the region, to Middlesbrough and Yarm in the south, over to Carlisle in the west and all points in between.

In total the trophies will be present at 12 schools, 11 rugby clubs, 11 community/public events, five businesses and major sporting fixtures at Newcastle United FC, Middlesbrough FC, Newcastle Eagles basketball, Newcastle Falcons and the Melrose Sevens.

Commenting upon the forthcoming Newcastle 2019 Trophies Tour the event director for the finals, Mick Hogan, said: “We were overwhelmed with the requests from the region for the trophies to be present at so many venues and events.

“We believe we have confirmed a great blend of events that recognises the rugby community as well as giving the opportunity to showcase the trophies to a wider non-rugby audience.

“The Newcastle 2019 Trophies Tour will further raise awareness for the forthcoming finals weekend on the 10-11 May when over 80,000 supporters are expected to attend the two games at St James’ Park.

“We’d like to thank Go North East for their magnificent support of the Tour. By taking the trophies out across the region they will help us engage with an anticipated 25,000 people and build the excitement for the what promises to be the greatest weekend in rugby.”

The Heineken Champions Cup final on Saturday 11 May is the fastest-selling final in the competition’s history, and at present there are no tickets available for sale. Tickets to the European Rugby Challenge Cup final are selling quickly, and are available by clicking here.

**TROPHIES TOUR SCHEDULE**

**Fri 22 March:** Official Trophies Tour Opening Event (Newcastle Civic Centre).

**Sat 23 March:** The Big One – Falcons v Sale Sharks (St James’ Park).

**Sun 24 March:** Rugby club event (Blaydon RFC), Community event (Summerhill Bowling Club, Newcastle).

**Mon 25 March:** School visit (Yarm Prep School, Teesside), Charity visit (Sporting Force, Darlington), Armed Services (RAF Boulmer, Northumberland).

**Tues 26 March:** School visit (Highfield Primary, Rowlands Gill), School visit (Thorp Academy, Ryton), Rugby club event (Ryton RFC).

**Wed 27 March:** Rugby club event (Consett RFC), Durham County Schools 7s (Ryton RFC), Rugby club event (Houghton RFC).

**Thurs 28 March:** School visit (NSB School, Newcastle), Tyne & Wear School Games (Beacon of Light, Sunderland), Rugby club visit (Barnard Castle Rugby Club).

**Fri 29 March:** School visit (Barnard Castle School), Northumberland Schools 7s (Dame Allan’s School, Newcastle).

**Sat 30 March:** Middlesbrough FC v Norwich City (Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough).

**Sun 31 March:** Rugby club event (Horden & Peterlee RFC), Public event (Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, Durham).

**Mon 1 April:** School visit (Jarrow School, South Tyneside), Sedgefield School Sports Partnership (Coxhoe Primary School), Project Rugby Festival (Darlington RFC).

**Tues 2 April:** School visit (St Joseph’s Middle, Hexham), School visit (Queen Elizabeth High, Hexham), Rugby club event (Carlisle RFC).

**Wed 3 April:** Newcastle Rugby Foundation (Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle).

**Thurs 4 April:** School visit (Shilbottle School, Northumberland), School visit (St Mary’s CE School, Berwick), Rugby club event (Berwick RFC).

**Fri 5 April:** School visit (Tudhoe Colliery School, Spennymoor), School visit (Academy 360, Sunderland), Newcastle Eagles Basketball v Manchester Giants (Eagles Community Arena, Newcastle).

**Sat 6 April:** Public event (Discovery Museum, Newcastle), Newcastle United v Crystal Palace (St James’ Park, Newcastle).

**Sun 7 April:** Rugby club event (Gateshead RFC), Public event (Hotel du Vin, Newcastle).

**Mon 8 April:** Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue (Headquarters, Sunderland).

**Tues 9 April:** Business event (Brewin Dolphin, Newcastle), Rugby club event (South Shields RFC).

**Wed 10 April:** Business event (Quorum Business Park, Newcastle), Business event (Greggs HQ, Newcastle).

**Thurs 11 April:** Business event (North east Chamber of Commerce), Business event (Ward Hadaway Law, Newcastle).

**Fri 12 April:** Public event (Grainger Market, Newcastle), Newcastle Falcons v Leicester Tigers (Kingston Park Stadium, Newcastle).

**Sat 13 April:** Melrose 7s Tournament (Melrose RFC, Scottish Borders).

**Sun 14 April:** Rugby club event (Whitley Bay Rockcliff RFC), Rugby club event (Percy Park RFC).