Growing up in rural Shag Valley Station, just outside Waihemo in East Otago, George Bell first played for the Eastern Rugby Football Club in Waikouaiti. He was a boarder at John McGlashan College, then joined Lincoln University as he made it to the Crusaders Academy.  

Bell made his Super Rugby debut before playing NPC rugby, in a 53-13 win against the Western Force in 2022. He also scored his first Super Rugby points with a try on the same night. His older brother, Henry, debuted for the Highlanders in 2024.

The same year as his Crusaders debut, Bell played his first game for the NZ U20s side, scoring five tries across three games. Injury kept him sidelined in 2023, but upon his return in 2024, he was selected for the All Blacks, scoring a try on debut.