Enter the squad passcode to view tour logistics, contacts and travel documents.
For squad & staff only. If you don't have the passcode, contact your Team Manager.
Everything the squad and staff need for the road. Pick a section above, or jump straight in below. Keep this passcode within the squad.
Insurance, money, safety and tour essentials.
Management, staff and emergency contacts.
Day-by-day, plus the live TripIt itinerary.
All flight legs in one place.
Scandic Lillestrøm & the Norway Test.
Dalton Ellis Hall & the Hawick day trip.
Overnight stay — flight in, train on to Rotterdam.
Accommodation TBC & the Netherlands Test.
The essentials every squad member should know before stepping on the plane.
Confirm your policy explicitly names Rugby League — not generic "rugby" or "contact sport" cover. UK-based personnel: the RFL framework runs via Bartlett Insurance (Ian Roberts, iroberts@bartlettgroup.com, +44 113 259 3529).
Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion at ATMs and card terminals in all three countries — pay in local currency every time.
Dutch bike lanes are a genuine safety hazard in Amsterdam and Rotterdam — look both ways, every time, before stepping out.
The squad's referral link — new sign-ups get a free cross-currency transfer up to CA$800.
Sign up →Norway: Ruter & Vy. UK: Citymapper & Circuit GO (laundry). Netherlands: NS International, 9292 & RET.
Code of conduct, kit & uniform guide and full medical/first-aid info will be added here — let your Team Manager know what else you need to see in the handbook.
| Name | Role | Cell Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Buchanan | Team Manager | paul_buchanan1963@outlook.com | +1 905 869-6364 |
| Aaron Zimmerle | Head Coach | — | +61 413 212 154 |
| Robin Legault | Assistant Coach | — | +1 416 899-8097 |
| Brad Lawton | Strength & Conditioning Coach | — | +61 466 324 566 |
| Connor Byron | Social Media & Graphic Design | — | — |
| John Cameron | CRLA President | john@canadarl.com | — |
| Michael Steer | CRLA Treasurer | treasurer@canadarl.com | — |
For live flight times, confirmations and individual bookings, the TripIt itinerary is the source of truth.
Open Team Itinerary on TripIt →Test 1 vs Norway — July 2, 6:00 PM, Vigernesjordet.
Test 2 vs Scotland — July 5, 3:00 PM, Mansfield Park, Hawick RFC (day-trip convoy).
Test 3 vs Netherlands — July 11, 6:00 PM, Dordrecht Rugby Club.
Every booked or pending flight across the tour, in one place. For live confirmations, the TripIt itinerary is the source of truth.
Six travel groups leave Lillestrøm for the UK leg via OSL and Torp Sandefjord (TRF). Full flight numbers under the Oslo to Manchester tab.
KLM or easyJet — the only non-stop MAN–AMS carriers. Squad stays overnight at the Volkshotel. Details under the Manchester to Amsterdam tab.
Train, not flight — NS International. Covered on the Amsterdam stay page.
Departs 5:40pm, arrives Edinburgh 6:30pm. Flying to and staying in Edinburgh.
Blake Mahovic
SK1461 departs Oslo (OSL) 6:00am, arrives Copenhagen 7:15am. Connects to SK539, departing Copenhagen 7:55am, arriving Manchester 8:55am.
Mitchell Talbot, Bradley Lawton, Richard Lebel, Doug Howard, Fynn Murphy, Charles Curran, Augustus Murphy, Luka Wicken, Toby Horn, Jalen Harrison, Aaron Zimmerle, Thomas Dickinson, Paul Buchanan, Blake Marshall, Greg Wise, Robin Legault, Ethan Chantler
Departs 11:15am, arrives 12:15pm.
Nate Roberts, Matthew Fish, Dillon Goos, Jacob Bourne
Departs 11:30am, arrives Edinburgh 12:20pm. Flying to and staying in Edinburgh.
Michael Snook
Departs Torp Sandefjord (TRF), arrives Manchester. Times TBC.
Kyle Yurkiw
Ewan Lawton (airline TBC), Jason Chuck, and Louis Robinson — all Jul 4, no flight booked yet.
Departs 5:30pm, arrives 7:50pm — a day ahead of the rest of the squad.
Aaron Zimmerle
Departs 5:55am, arrives 8:20am.
Robin Legault
Departs 11:00am, arrives 1:20pm.
Jalen Harrison, Thomas Dickinson, Paul Buchanan
Departs 4:20pm, arrives 6:40pm.
Mitchell Talbot, Bradley Lawton, Michael Snook, Richard Lebel, Doug Howard, Garin Nicholls, Nate Roberts, Matthew Fish, Dillon Goos, Charles Curran, Augustus Murphy, Luka Wicken, Kyle Yurkiw, Toby Horn, Greg Wise, Ethan Chantler
Fynn Murphy (not yet booked), Ewan Lawton, and Jason Chuck — all Jul 8, no flight confirmed yet.
Return flight details for departures home from Rotterdam will be added here once booked.
Sunday June 28 – Saturday July 4, 6 nights at the Scandic Lillestrøm. Everything below covers the Norway leg in full — practicalities, laundry, and the day-by-day schedule through to the Saturday departures. See the Accommodation tab for hotel and room details.
English spoken universally — no language issues expected. Lillestrøm and Oslo are extremely safe. Many shops/restaurants have reduced Sunday hours. Type F (Schuko) power sockets, 230V/50Hz. Strong 4G/5G throughout. Emergency: 112 (police/fire/ambulance), 113 (medical), 110 (fire).
Daytime highs 20–23°C, nights/mornings 11–14°C — bring a layer for evenings. Light rain possible; pack a rain jacket. Very long days, sunset after 10:30pm. Vigernesjordet training ground is open-air grass — bring sunscreen for morning sessions.
Norwegian Krone (NOK) — largely cashless, Visa/Mastercard everywhere. Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) — pay in NOK. No strong tipping culture; rounding up is appreciated, 10% is generous. ~1 NOK ≈ $0.148 CAD (confirm at xe.com).
Spirits, wine and beer over 4.75% ABV ONLY at Vinmonopolet (state liquor store) — supermarkets cap at 4.75%. Lillestrøm store: Storgata 26 (~5 min walk from the hotel). Hours: Mon–Wed 10–17, Thu 10–18, Fri 9–18, Sat 9–15, closed Sundays.
TripIt — squad shared itinerary. Vy — train tickets Lillestrøm ↔ Oslo. Flytoget — Airport Express, useful for July 4 departures. Google Maps — download the Oslo/Lillestrøm region offline. XE Currency for quick conversions. Kyle Yurkiw specifically needs the Ryanair app for the Torp departure.
Hei (hello) · Takk (thanks) · Tusen takk (thank you very much) · Ha det (goodbye) · Unnskyld (excuse me) · Skål! (cheers — for the Vinmonopolet purchases) · Lykke til! (good luck — perfect for match day).
No self-service laundromats in Lillestrøm itself — options below cover hotel laundry, a nearby dry cleaner, and self-service laundromats in Oslo (12 minutes by train).
Handled by an external company, priced per item — by far the most expensive option. Confirm pricing at the front desk first.
Self-service, card/app payment, no coins or staff needed. NOK 79 wash + NOK 79 dry, detergent included. Open 06:00–22:00 every day. Grünerløkka & Sagene are the largest locations. ~30–40 min travel each way plus laundry time.
Self-service + full service (drop-off). Ullevålsveien 15 (St. Hanshaugen). Mon–Sun 08:00–20:00. +47 416 40 833.
Laundromat combined with a café/bar — limited machines, not for volume, but good for an individual wash with a meal. Underhaugsveien 2 (Bislett). Open daily 10:00–01:00.
Team lands at OSL ~15:00 after the Copenhagen connection. Lillestrøm is 12 minutes by train — Vy regional (budget, ~NOK 130) or Flytoget Airport Express (premium, ~NOK 210, dedicated luggage areas). Check-in ~4:00pm. Team dinner ~6:30pm — local Indian/Pakistani restaurant or a REMA 1000 group supermarket meal. Early night — first training is 8:30am Monday.
7:00am breakfast, 8:00am walk to Vigernesjordet (~30 min, ~2km, entirely flat — alongside the distinctive Skedsmohallen sports complex). 8:30am induction/video prep and medical checks, 10:30am–12:30pm field session. Afternoon: free sightseeing along the Nitelva riverfront and Lillestrøm town centre.
Vy train to Oslo S (12 min, ~NOK 130 return). Free: Oslo Opera House roof, the 9km Harbour Promenade, Aker Brygge, Vigeland Park (212 sculptures). Paid options: Viking Ship Museum (~NOK 200), Oslo City Hall (~NOK 120), or a tip-based free walking tour.
7:00am breakfast, 7:30am walk to ground, 8:30–10:30am gym/recovery and field session, then Captains Run and coaching review. Afternoon: Nitja Centre for Contemporary Art (free), or rest at the hotel.
7:00am breakfast, 8:30am Captains Run at the ground, 10:00am back to the hotel for recovery and rest, 11:30am pre-match meal, 1–4pm rest/prep/warm-up, 5:00pm walk to the ground (1 hour before kick-off). The 30-minute walk is the primary plan — see the transport backup options below for wet weather or moving kit separately.
Oslo Museum Day option: train to Oslo S then bus/ferry to Bygdøy for the Viking Ship Museum and Norwegian Folk Museum, or the budget harbour ferry. Alternatively, rest day walks around Lillestrøm and the Nitelva river path. Final Norway dinner — a group treat at the best Indian/Bangladeshi restaurant in town.
Group A (Main Squad, SK1461): 3:15am wake-up, 3:30–3:45am pre-booked taxi/minibus to OSL — must be booked before leaving Canada, public transport isn't viable for this group since the first Flytoget (4:52am) misses bag drop. Group B (4 players, EZY2298): 7:45am walk to Lillestrøm station, Flytoget/Vy to OSL by 8:15am. Group C (1 player, DY1354): same route to OSL, flying to Edinburgh then ~1h10m by road to Hawick — must arrange own ground transport. Kyle Yurkiw (Torp/Ryanair): the Vy RE11 train to Torp is suspended July 4–19 for track works — a pre-booked taxi (~1h40m, ~NOK 1,500–2,000) is the recommended option; do not rely on the train.
The 30-minute walk to Vigernesjordet remains the primary plan. These are backups for wet weather, moving kit bags separately, or transporting staff/equipment.
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| ✅ Nedre Romerike Taxi (02000) | Established local taxi central, minibuses for groups up to 16. +47 67 10 00 80. Located right by the train station, very close to the hotel. |
| Nedre Romerike Minibuss AS | Dedicated minibus operator in the area — worth a second quote for comparison. |
| Vy App Taxi Booking | Fixed price up front, live tracking. Good for 1–2 cars rather than a full squad minibus. |
| Pre-bookable Group Transfer | Fixed-price group transfers for 13–19 people with English-speaking drivers — useful to lock in a price weeks ahead. |
| Store | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| KIWI 485 Lillestrøm Stasjon | Stillverksveien 5, 2004 Lillestrøm | 7am–11pm daily |
| KIWI 536 Town Centre | Adolph Tidemands Gate 26, 2000 Lillestrøm | 7am–11pm daily |
| REMA 1000 Kanalveien | Kanalveien 1, 2004 Lillestrøm | Mon–Fri 7am–11pm, Sat 8am–9pm |
| Address | Stillverksveien 28, 2004 Lillestrøm — 50m from Lillestrøm Station |
|---|---|
| Check-in | Sunday 28 June 2026, from 4:00 PM |
| Check-out | Saturday 4 July 2026, by 12:00 noon |
| Rooms | 15 × Standard Double (twin) — NOK 1,390/night · 1 × Standard Single (Aaron Zimmerle) — NOK 1,190/night |
A modern 4-star, 12-storey hotel with 220 rooms — the tallest building in Lillestrøm. Well regarded for cleanliness, service and its breakfast buffet (included, weekdays 6:30–10am, weekends 7–10:30am, Restaurant Bruket).
24-hour fitness centre, free Wi-Fi throughout, complimentary bicycles (useful for the ~10 min ride to Vigernesjordet on match day), 24-hour front desk, outdoor terrace, and laundry/dry cleaning on request.
Air-conditioned, two twin beds, flat-screen TV, ensuite bathroom with heated floor, mini-fridge, kettle, safe. Compact — select rooms have river views.
| Room | Name | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Buchanan | Jun 26 | Jul 4 |
| Bradley Lawton | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 2 | Blake Mahovic | Jun 27 | Jul 3 |
| Ewan Lawton | Jun 27 | Jul 4 | |
| 3 | Stephen Lenahan | Jun 28 | Jul 3 |
| Oliver Lenahan | Jun 28 | Jul 3 | |
| 4 | Wyatt Klassen | Jun 28 | Jul 3 |
| Jacob Williams | Jun 28 | Jul 3 | |
| 5 | Robin Legault | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Dillon Goos | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 6 | Doug Howard | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Blake Marshall | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 7 | Jalen Harrison | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Luka Wicken | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 8 | Jason Chuck | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Augustus Murphy | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 9 | Toby Horn | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Kyle Yurkiw | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 10 | Chuck Curran | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Matthew Fish | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 11 | Jacob Bourne | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Thomas Dickinson | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 12 | Ethan Chantler | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Mitch Talbot | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 13 | Nathan Roberts | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Greg Wise | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 14 | Fynn Murphy | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Richard Lebel | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 15 | Louis Robinson | Jun 28 | Jul 4 |
| Michael Snook | Jun 28 | Jul 4 | |
| 16 | Aaron Zimmerle | Jun 30 | Jul 4 |
| Destination | Time | How | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oslo Airport (OSL) | 12 min | Flytoget (Airport Express), direct | ~NOK 210 |
| Oslo Airport (OSL) | 12 min | Vy regional train, direct (budget) | ~NOK 130 |
| Oslo City Centre | 12 min | Local train (Vy RE/L-tog), direct | ~NOK 45 |
| Vigernesjordet (match venue) | ~30 min | Walk, ~2km southeast | Free |
| Vigernesjordet (match venue) | ~5 min | Taxi or rideshare | ~NOK 100–130 |
Eating out in Norway is expensive — budget 150–200 NOK (~$20–28 CAD) for a basic lunch, 200–350 NOK (~$28–50 CAD) for dinner. "Cheap" by Norwegian standards still costs more than at home.
Norway is almost entirely cashless — your card works everywhere. Always decline DCC and pay in NOK.
Kiwi and Rema 1000 are the budget lifelines — excellent ready-to-eat sections, far cheaper than any restaurant. Kiwi is on Storgata, right in the town centre.
Vigernesjordet is primarily residential — no restaurants within easy walking distance. Sort pre-match meals from the hotel or town centre before heading out.
Official sponsor of the Lillestrøm Lions Rugby League Club, and the closest thing the team has to a home pub — hosts social gatherings tied to Lions matches and screens games on its big screens. Right on the town square — a natural spot for the squad to watch other tournament fixtures together or unwind after training.
Excellent ready-to-eat sections — open sandwiches (smørbrød), salads, hot food, baked goods. Smart strategy for breakfast top-ups and snacks. Kiwi (Storgata) is the better discount option; Rema 1000 is slightly higher quality at similar prices. Open most days including Sundays (reduced hours).
A Norwegian institution — the pølse (frankfurter) in a lompe (potato flatbread) or bun is genuinely good, around 35–50 NOK. Try the lompe wrap, not just the bun, with mustard, ketchup and crispy fried onions.
Often the best bang-for-buck — generous portions, around 120–150 NOK for a proper kebab or mixed grill plate, open late. Turkish and Arabic-run grill shops in the town centre; shawarma, kebab plates and falafel are all solid, and often the best choice for a late-night feed after the bars.
The main nightlife venue in Lillestrøm also has a solid kitchen — good burgers and steaks, pub-style food. Sørumsgata 11. Works well for a group — decent space, multiple seating areas.
Repeatedly reviewed as one of the best restaurants in Lillestrøm — pasta, pizza, seafood, local game. Best suited to a group dinner; worth booking ahead for 25+. Seafood pasta and pizza particularly recommended. Around 250–350 NOK for a main.
Better-than-average bar food, good craft beer, relaxed atmosphere — a proper meal without the formal restaurant occasion.
Casual atmosphere, varied menu. Good for groups, works across lunch and dinner.
A local favourite — the kind of place locals go rather than tourists. Excellent sushi, dim sum, crispy duck, good portions at reasonable prices. Popular with locals — book ahead for large groups.
Several places in central Lillestrøm — Norwegian pizza is genuinely good, thicker base, generous toppings. Look for local Italian-style shops over international chains. Budget around 150–200 NOK; most offer takeaway.
The Lions ground is about 2km from the Scandic hotel. The immediate area is primarily residential and light industrial — no restaurants within a short walk of the venue itself. Recommendation: arrange a team meal at the hotel or one of the Lillestrøm restaurants above as a pre-match group meal, and bring snacks and hydration for the ground itself.
In summer, prawn fishing boats come directly into Oslo's City Hall pier and sell freshly boiled prawns straight off the vessel. Buy a bag, find a spot on the waterfront, eat with your hands with bread and mayonnaise. Cheap, extraordinary, quintessentially Norwegian — late June is perfect timing.
Oslo's best street food market — a covered hall with 14+ stalls and bars. International food, Norwegian snacks, craft beer, 100–150 NOK per meal. Central, easy walking distance from Oslo S — best value lunch for a group on a budget.
An indoor food hall near Grünerløkka, slightly upmarket but excellent quality. Good for a sit-down lunch — fresh seafood, Norwegian deli items, artisan baked goods. More relaxed and local in feel than a tourist restaurant.
Oslo's most multicultural neighbourhood (one T-bane stop east of Oslo S) — kebab shops, Middle Eastern grill houses, diverse small restaurants. Generous plates, 130–160 NOK — best value eating in Oslo. Combines well with a Grünerløkka evening.
Norwegian waffles in the heart of Grünerløkka — heart-shaped, lighter than Belgian waffles, served with brunost, jam or sour cream. Try the brunost topping — very affordable, one of the best value food experiences in the city.
Norway's most distinctive food — a caramelised whey cheese, sweet, slightly tangy, fudge-like. Found at every supermarket, bakery and breakfast table — very inexpensive, slice it thin on bread or a waffle. Gudbrandsdalsost is most popular; geitost (goat milk) is stronger.
Heart-shaped, lighter and crispier than Belgian waffles, served with brunost, jam or sour cream. Haralds Vaffel in Grünerløkka is the famous Oslo spot; any local café will have them.
Bakery essentials — skillingsboller are large cardamom-spiced cinnamon buns, soft and buttery; skolebrød is a sweet bun filled with vanilla custard, topped with desiccated coconut. 30–50 NOK each — among the best value food in an expensive country.
Gravlaks is salmon cured with salt, sugar and dill — Norway's salmon is world-class, this is the most elegant way to eat it. Fiskesuppe is a rich cream-based fish soup loaded with fresh seafood — a proper meal, served with crusty bread. Both widely available at sit-down restaurants and Mathallen Oslo.
Distilled from grain or potato, flavoured with caraway or dill. Served neat and chilled, drunk as a toast spirit. Order "en liten" (a small measure). Popular brands: Linie Aquavit, Lysholm Linie. Typically 40–45% ABV — a sipping spirit, not a shot.
An outstanding scene — high quality, creative, and some of the better value drinking on the trip. Supermarkets sell beer up to 4.7% ABV; anything stronger from Vinmonopolet only. Local brands: Nøgne Ø, Ægir, Lervig, Haandbryggeriet. Frydenlund is the local Oslo lager, easy drinking and widely available on tap.
Skål! — the Norwegian toast, make eye contact when you clink glasses. Vorspiel/Forspill — pre-drinking at home or the hotel before going out, standard practice driven by bar prices. Tipping isn't a strong tradition — rounding up is appreciated. Norwegians tend to buy their own drinks rather than rounds — it's cultural, not personal.
Spirits, wine and beer over 4.7% ABV can only be bought at Vinmonopolet, Norway's state-owned liquor stores. Lillestrøm branch: Storgata 26 (~5 min walk from Scandic). Hours: Mon–Wed 10:00–17:00, Thu 10:00–18:00, Fri 09:00–18:00, Sat 09:00–15:00, closed Sundays — plan ahead of Thursday/Friday evenings.
Lillestrøm itself is a pleasant, compact commuter town — not a huge amount to see locally beyond the stadium and the riverfront. The good news: Oslo is 10 minutes away by train, and Oslo absolutely delivers.
Direct Vy train from Lillestrøm station — 10 minutes, every 10–15 min. Buy your ticket in the Ruter app before boarding. Single Zone 1+2 ~72 NOK; a 24-hour ticket (~130 NOK) is better value for a full day.
Download before you leave Canada — covers buses, trams, T-bane and ferries within the zone network. Lillestrøm sits in an outer zone, so buy a multi-zone ticket for Oslo day trips.
The Scandic Lillestrøm is ~50m from Lillestrøm station — walk out the front door and the platform is right there.
Monday 29 June (from 12 noon) · Tuesday 30 June (from 4pm) · Friday 3 July (all day).
Typically 18–24°C with long daylight hours — barely gets dark. Pack a light layer for evenings and a packable rain jacket.
2–3km of accessible paths along the river — benches, green space, a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere. Good for an easy post-training recovery walk or an evening stroll.
Compact and easy to navigate on foot. Stortorget is the central square with an outdoor market — small shops, bakeries and cafés nearby. Lillestrøm Kulturhus is worth checking for events during your stay.
A small local gallery, free or low cost, ~15 min walk from the hotel at Lillestrøm Kulturhus, Kirkegata. A genuine local cultural institution rather than a tourist attraction — check nitja.no for hours.
Norway's oldest airport, just outside Lillestrøm — heritage site with a small museum. Accessible by bus. Best suited to those with a specific interest in aviation or military history.
Start here. The roof is a public walkway with sweeping fjord and skyline views — completely free, no tickets. Right next to Oslo Central Station.
Oslo's most famous free attraction — 200+ sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in Frogner. Open 24 hours, always free. Easily 2 hours if you take your time. Tram 12 or 19 to Vigelandsparken.
Oslo's best neighbourhood for wandering — cafés, street art, vintage shops, bars along the Akerselva river. Haralds Vaffel for waffles, Tim Wendelboe for coffee, Mathallen Oslo food hall nearby.
Harbour promenade from the Opera House along Aker Brygge to Tjuvholmen — fjord views, modern architecture, marinas, and beach areas where locals swim in summer (Sørenga Sjøbad).
Medieval fortress overlooking the fjord, dating to the 1290s. Grounds free to walk with excellent harbour views. Museum entry has a small fee. Good golden-hour photography spot.
Iconic ski jump, T-bane Line 1 from central Oslo (~25 min through birch forest). Viewing platform ~120 NOK (included with Oslo Pass) — museum entry is separate and fine to skip.
A single Ruter ferry ticket from Aker Brygge gets you to the fjord islands. Hovedøya (10 min): 12th-century monastery ruins and swimming rocks. Langøyene is more of a beach island.
Free Tour Oslo runs tip-based ~90 minute tours in English, multiple times daily from outside City Hall. Excellent for getting oriented on a first visit — check freetouroslo.com.
Oslo's best street food market, Torggata 16 — 14+ stalls and bars, 100–150 NOK per meal. Central, easy walking distance from the station. Great for a quick, social lunch.
Norway is expensive, and most of the best experiences are free — but a handful of paid options genuinely earn their price tag.
If the squad does one paid activity, make it this. 2-hour sightseeing cruise from Aker Brygge or near the Opera House, ~500–600 NOK ($70–85 CAD). Book ahead in peak season — these sell out. Free alternative: the Ruter ferry to Hovedøya/Langøyene.
Interactive digital museum filling the gap while the real Viking Ship Museum is closed for renovation — holograms, 270° cinema, VR film. ~300–350 NOK ($42–50 CAD), 15% off with the Oslo Pass. The VR film "The Ambush" is the highlight; skip if you want something high-octane, it's fairly text-heavy otherwise.
3-hour guided tour from near Aker Brygge, beginner-friendly, no experience needed. ~600–700 NOK ($85–100 CAD). Best suited to a free day (Monday afternoon or Friday) — not the day before a game.
Technically paid but very affordable — ~120 NOK ($17 CAD), included with the Oslo Pass. One of the best viewpoints in the country; T-bane through birch forest is part of the experience.
Grünerløkka microbrewery cellar — guided tasting flights through Norwegian craft brewing history. Book via schouskjelleren.no. Good for a free-day afternoon before an evening out in Grünerløkka.
12:00 train to Oslo S (10 min) → Opera House rooftop → 12:30 walk the waterfront to Akershus Fortress, on to Aker Brygge → 1:30 lunch at Oslo Street Food, Torggata → 2:30 tram to Vigeland Sculpture Park (~2 hrs) → late afternoon wander in Grünerløkka with a waffle at Haralds Vaffel → dinner in Grünerløkka or back in Lillestrøm.
Train to Oslo S → walk the waterfront, Aker Brygge to Tjuvholmen sculpture area → sunset views from Akershus Fortress (golden light late in the evening in June) → dinner at Aker Brygge or back in Lillestrøm — 10 minutes home on the train.
Option A: Holmenkollen day — T-bane to the ski jump, forest trails, café with fjord views, into Grünerløkka for the afternoon. Option B: Fjord Island day — ferry to Hovedøya or Langøyene for swimming and a beach picnic (bring supplies from Kiwi/Rema 1000 to keep costs down). Option C: Stay local — Nitelva walk in the morning, Nitja gallery in the afternoon, easy evening in Lillestrøm before the big departure day.
Free entry to 30+ museums and attractions, unlimited transport in zones 1–4, and discounts at selected restaurants and tours. Available for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Honest verdict: it depends entirely on how much you plan to do.
You're doing a full museum day — the Fram Polar Ship Museum alone is ~130 NOK, add Holmenkollen (~120 NOK), Munch Museum (~200 NOK) and a day of transport (~130–150 NOK) and you've already cleared the 24-hour pass price. Viking Planet gets a 15% discount too.
You're mainly walking, visiting free attractions, and doing a single day in Oslo — the Ruter 24-hour ticket covers transport for less. Same if you're spending most of your free time in Lillestrøm or at the fjord islands.
| Pass Length | Approx. Price |
|---|---|
| 24-hour pass | ~580 NOK (~$82 CAD) |
| 48-hour pass | ~785 NOK (~$110 CAD) |
| 72-hour pass | ~950 NOK (~$134 CAD) |
Buy via the official Oslo Pass app (easiest), visitoslo.com, or in person at the Oslo Visitor Centre, Oslo S. Activate the morning of your big sightseeing day.
Oslo's public transport ticketing app — buses, trams, T-bane and ferries. Buy tickets in-app before boarding; on-board purchase costs more. Set up payment in advance.
Live timetables for Lillestrøm → Oslo S and planning late-night returns. Also at vy.no in any browser.
Norway's own meteorological service — significantly more accurate for local conditions than international weather apps. Hyperlocal forecasts for planning outdoor days.
Download offline maps for Oslo and Lillestrøm before you leave — works without data once downloaded.
Norway is virtually cashless. Always decline DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) and pay in NOK.
Departs 5:40pm, arrives Edinburgh 6:30pm. Flying to and staying in Edinburgh.
Blake Mahovic
SK1461 departs Oslo (OSL) 6:00am, arrives Copenhagen 7:15am. Connects to SK539, departing Copenhagen 7:55am, arriving Manchester 8:55am.
Mitchell Talbot, Bradley Lawton, Richard Lebel, Doug Howard, Fynn Murphy, Charles Curran, Augustus Murphy, Luka Wicken, Toby Horn, Jalen Harrison, Aaron Zimmerle, Thomas Dickinson, Paul Buchanan, Blake Marshall, Greg Wise, Robin Legault, Ethan Chantler
Departs 11:15am, arrives 12:15pm.
Nate Roberts, Matthew Fish, Dillon Goos, Jacob Bourne
Departs 11:30am, arrives Edinburgh 12:20pm. Flying to and staying in Edinburgh.
Michael Snook
Departs Torp Sandefjord (TRF), arrives Manchester. Times TBC.
Kyle Yurkiw
Ewan Lawton (airline TBC), Jason Chuck, and Louis Robinson — all Jul 4, no flight booked yet.
| Room Type | Count | Assigned To |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Single | 1 | Aaron Zimmerle |
| Standard Double (Twin) | 15 | Pairings to be confirmed |
Mansfield Park, Hawick RFC, TD9 8AW. IRL World Ranking: Canada #29 vs Scotland #27.
Four Ford Tourneo Customs depart Dalton Ellis Hall, targeting 1:00pm arrival at Hawick RFC — two hours before kick-off. Recommended stop: Tebay Services (M6, ~83 miles from Manchester — northbound and southbound are separate buildings).
Back in Manchester approximately 10:00–10:45pm.
Flight to Amsterdam — KLM and easyJet are the only non-stop MAN–AMS carriers. The squad stays overnight in Amsterdam before training on to Rotterdam July 9.
University of Manchester. 29 single en-suite rooms confirmed — net rate £40.30/night. Packed breakfast (croissant, cereal bar, fruit, water) served 7:30–8:30am from Dalton Dining Room. Wi-Fi: "UoM Guest" self-registration. Reception 8am–6pm Mon–Fri. Out-of-hours emergency: Duty Residential Life Advisor +44 (0)7770 280271.
Local food recommendations for Manchester will be added here.
Things to see and do around Manchester will be added here.
Departs 5:30pm, arrives 7:50pm — a day ahead of the rest of the squad.
Aaron Zimmerle
Departs 5:55am, arrives 8:20am.
Robin Legault
Departs 11:00am, arrives 1:20pm.
Jalen Harrison, Thomas Dickinson, Paul Buchanan
Departs 4:20pm, arrives 6:40pm.
Mitchell Talbot, Bradley Lawton, Michael Snook, Richard Lebel, Doug Howard, Garin Nicholls, Nate Roberts, Matthew Fish, Dillon Goos, Charles Curran, Augustus Murphy, Luka Wicken, Kyle Yurkiw, Toby Horn, Greg Wise, Ethan Chantler
Fynn Murphy (not yet booked), Ewan Lawton, and Jason Chuck — all Jul 8, no flight confirmed yet.
| Room Type | Count | Assigned To |
|---|---|---|
| Single En-Suite | 29 | List to be confirmed |
Dutch bike lanes are a genuine safety hazard from the moment you land — look both ways, every time, before stepping into any cycle path.
NS International for train bookings, 9292 for journey planning.
The squad flies Manchester → Amsterdam on July 8 (KLM or easyJet — the only non-stop MAN–AMS carriers) and stays overnight at the Volkshotel before training on to Rotterdam July 9.
Local food recommendations for Amsterdam will be added here.
Things to see and do around Amsterdam will be added here.
The squad arrives across five flights spread through Jul 7–8 — Aaron Zimmerle a day ahead on KLM KL1036, then the rest on KL1028 and two easyJet flights (EZY2163, EZY2165) through the day. Full breakdown on the Manchester to Amsterdam tab.
Room types and assignments for the Volkshotel will be added here once booked.
Dordrecht Rugby Club, Rotterdam. IRL World Ranking: Canada #29 vs Netherlands #11 — the tour's toughest assignment.
Dutch bike lanes are a genuine safety hazard in Rotterdam too — look both ways, every time.
RET for local transit, Uber or Bolt for rideshare. Tour wraps up July 12 with departures home.
Stayokay Rotterdam (Cube Houses, Blaak Metro, group bookings confirmed, breakfast included) is the strongest contender. easyHotel Rotterdam and a&o Rotterdam City have also been quoted.
Local food recommendations for Rotterdam will be added here.
Things to see and do around Rotterdam will be added here.
Return flight details for departures home will be added here.
Room types and assignments will be added here once Rotterdam accommodation is booked.