Ahead of a huge summer of football, Madame Tussauds London has unveiled the first-ever figure of England Men’s captain and global football icon, Harry Kane MBE. Created in close collaboration between Harry and the highly skilled studio artists in the Merlin Magic Making team, the figure was developed using detailed measurements, colour matching and styling to ensure an incredibly lifelike finish. This collaboration delivered by our incredible team is now on display at Madame Tussauds London.
At Merlin, we want our colleagues to succeed and we are proud to offer pathways to development; supporting and mentoring our people to be the best version of themselves. Find out more with Gaby Davies, Senior Delivery Manager in the Merlin Technology Team about her journey with Merlin and the exciting projects the Merlin Technology Team are working on.
LEGO® Festival is back for 2026, and it's and bigger than ever 🎉 This summer, families can once again power up their play as LEGO® Festival returns across six LEGOLAND® Resorts worldwide: 📍 LEGOLAND® California 📍 LEGOLAND® Deutschland 📍 LEGOLAND® Florida 📍 LEGOLAND® New York 📍 LEGOLAND® Windsor 📍 LEGOLAND® Shanghai Running throughout summer across the Globe, LEGO® Festival brings together immersive themed zones, live entertainment, hands-on LEGO® building experiences and unforgettable family moments, all designed with children at the centre. Guests can explore fan-favourite music, creative and 'chill out' zones, alongside all-new experiences coming to the Thrill and Play Zones for 2026. As a global leader in branded entertainment, we're proud to continue creating experiences that inspire imagination, creativity and connection through the power of play ✨
Jo Kinsey has been an integral part of the Madame Tussauds Team since 1997. We caught up with Jo to find out more about her journey so far. 'From a young age, I knew I wanted a creative career, but it was Madame Tussauds that truly captured my imagination. I remember seeing friends’ photos from visits in the 1980s and being mesmerised by the figures, desperate to understand how they were created. Years later, after training in Hairdressing and gaining technical knowledge in hair science, I returned to London determined to join the studio team. After completing a challenging hair insertion task during my interview, I was overjoyed to receive my contract, the moment I realised I would be working for a brand I had admired for so long. From my very first day at Madame Tussauds London, I knew I had found somewhere special, surrounded by passionate creatives who inspired me to grow. Over the years, I progressed from Hair & Finishing Artist to Technical Process Leader and Supervisor, travelling internationally to support global Madame Tussauds launches and train studio teams. I’ve been fortunate to contribute to high-profile figure projects and support the development of new creative experiences, including design work such as the MT 1835 Champagne Bar. Today, as Studio Manager, I lead a talented team of artists and remain incredibly proud to be part of a brand that continues to inspire creativity and bring unforgettable experiences to life.'
Merlin Entertainments And Paramount Join Forces To Create the UK’s First And Only PAW Patrol® Land. A multi-million pound investment will see a new PAW Patrol-themed land open at Chessington World of Adventures Resort in 2026. This partnership expands Merlin's offering to families with pre-school children, a key demographic for future growth Merlin Entertainments, a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, has announced a new partnership with Paramount to bring PAW Patrol – the number one pre-school brand in the UK and globally, produced by Spin Master Entertainment – to one of its leading UK theme parks in 2026. The introduction of the famous pups to Chessington World of Adventures Resort through the creation of the UK’s first and only PAW Patrol-themed land will surprise and delight families with young children across the country. This major new collaboration is part of Merlin’s strategy to work with owners of leading intellectual property (IP) to bring these premium brands to life in key locations across the world and comes hot on the heels of its recent global partnership with Minecraft. It also signals the company’s ambition to broaden its offering to families with pre-school children, increasing its appeal with this key demographic.
Fiona Eastwood confirmed as Merlin’s CEO after a decade at the business. Her experience at Merlin includes serving as Chief Operating Officer and Global Marketing Director. Merlin Entertainments, a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, announces the appointment of Fiona Eastwood as Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. This follows her initial appointment to the role on an interim basis at the end of November 2024. She will be responsible for leading the implementation of the business’s transformational strategy and ensuring it is well placed to grow at scale and deliver a sustainable, thriving future. Merlin brings world-famous entertainment brands to life across its diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-centre gateway attractions and LEGOLAND® Resorts in over 20 countries. It works with partners including the LEGO® Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks, Minecraft, and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.
