Blue Devils Set for Global Stage With 2026 England Trip

MARIETTA, GA — The Marietta High School football team is officially headed across the pond. On Tuesday night, the Marietta City Schools Board of Education approved an international athletic and cultural exchange trip that will send the Blue Devils to Loughborough University in England next August—one of the world’s premier destinations for sports science, performance training, and international football development.

The trip will take place August 14–21, 2026. The eight-day experience gives players the chance to train at the Elite Athlete Centre, lift at Powerbase, study, serve, explore London, and cap their trip with a game against the NFL Academy team—a top-level squad of student-athletes from across Europe.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our kids,” said Head Football Coach Cameron Duke. “Loughborough is the gold standard in international sports performance. Our players will grow as athletes, teammates, and young men—and they’ll get to represent Marietta on a global stage. I’m thrilled for our team and grateful for the support that makes this possible.”

The itinerary includes practices, film study, team meetings, a community service project, academic study halls, and a full-day exploration of London via the Big Bus Tour. 

Superintendent Dr. Grant Rivera said the trip reflects the district’s belief that meaningful learning happens inside and outside the classroom.

“When students see new places and experience new cultures, they gain confidence, curiosity, and a deeper understanding of their place in the world,” Rivera said. “I’m grateful to Coach Duke for dreaming big, to our partners for making this possible, and to our Board for supporting an experience our students will carry for the rest of their lives.”

The trip will be funded entirely through private donations and fundraising efforts led by the Marietta High School Touchdown Club. With Board and GHSA approval now secured, the team will begin formal fundraising immediately. Community members interested in supporting the effort may contact Head Coach Cameron Duke at cduke@marietta-city.k12.ga.us for additional information.