Rugby in the capital
London is a city of a thousand interests, but for many people rugby comes first. The capital has a huge grassroots scene, with clubs from Barnes to Blackheath, social sides for every level and a steady stream of players who move here for work and bring their boots. In the south west, Twickenham is home to the national stadium, and on international days the area around the ground fills with fans from every corner of England and beyond.
Read on if you are single, based in or near the capital and hoping to find a partner who shares the game. It mentions grounds and areas only to describe rugby life in the city.
Twickenham and the south west
Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, is the home of English rugby. On international days, the streets between the station and the ground are full hours before kick-off, and the pubs along the way are busy long after full time. The stadium tour includes the World Rugby Museum, which makes a surprisingly good daytime outing for two fans who want to talk about the game.
Nearby, the Stoop is home to Harlequins, one of the best-known clubs in the country. Richmond, Teddington, Kingston and Barnes all have strong rugby communities, with pubs that show matches and clubs that welcome newcomers.
Grassroots London
Beyond the big names, London has dozens of amateur clubs. Many run men's, women's, mixed touch and veterans' sides, as well as walking rugby and social teams. If you have just moved to the city, a training night will introduce you to more locals than a month of commuting. It also gives you something genuine to talk about on your profile.
First date ideas in London
- A grassroots fixture on a Saturday afternoon. Cheaper than an international, relaxed and easy to chat at.
- The World Rugby Museum. A daytime visit gives you plenty to talk about.
- A riverside walk in Richmond. Follow the Thames towards Ham or Kingston and stop for a drink.
- A pub screening of an away match. Ideal when neither of your sides is involved.
- Coffee on a weekday evening. Easy to arrange around training.
- Touch rugby in a park. If you both play, a social session in summer can be a fun second date.
Planning around big match days
International days at Twickenham bring heavy crowds to the south west, and trains can be packed before and after the match. If you are meeting someone new that day, fix on a spot well clear of the ground, leave early and plan your own way home. If conversation is the aim, wait for a weekend with no home international.
Describing London on your profile
London is too big to describe in one word. Mention the area you know best, the club you play for or the pub where you watch matches. "Teddington, plays for a vets side, usually at the Stoop for Quins games" is far more useful than "London". Your postcode can wait until you are sure about a person.
Opening lines for London rugby people
- "Twickenham on a match day or a quiet local fixture: which do you prefer?"
- "Which London club would you take a newcomer to watch first?"
- "Best pub you know for a big game in the south west?"
- "Have you ever done the stadium tour, or is that just for visitors?"
Questions like these show you have read someone's profile and give them an easy way to reply.
Getting around
London's public transport means you can meet almost anywhere, but crossing the city can take more than an hour. When planning a first date, pick somewhere that is fair for both of you. Central areas, or a spot halfway between your neighbourhoods, often work best.
London rugby throughout the year
From September to spring the leagues are in full swing, November brings touring sides to Twickenham and late winter belongs to the Six Nations. Summer brings sevens tournaments, touch leagues and pre-season training. Whatever the month, there is usually some rugby going on, which makes it easy to suggest a date with a rugby flavour.
Dating across London and beyond
Some rugby people in London date someone in another city, especially if they met through a club tour or an away trip. Talk openly about train fares and weekends, and line up visits with matches you both fancy. When February arrives, our Six Nations guide helps couples share the sofa.
Neighbourhoods with a rugby feel
Rugby people live all over London, but some areas have a particularly strong rugby identity. Richmond and Twickenham, naturally, with their riverside pubs and nearby grounds. Wimbledon and Putney, home to plenty of club players. Blackheath and Greenwich in the south east, where the game has deep roots. North of the river, Ealing and Hampstead have long-established clubs too. Whatever area you are in, there is likely to be a club within reach and a pub that shows the big games.
A Saturday in south west London
Picture a winter Saturday. You meet for a coffee in Richmond in the late morning, walk along the river for an hour and then head to a local club fixture in the afternoon. Afterwards there is a pint in the clubhouse and a chance to chat with players and supporters. It is relaxed, it is affordable and it shows each of you how the other behaves around rugby. If it goes well, the next date might be an international.
London club seasons in brief
Grassroots fixtures fill most autumn and winter Saturdays. Many clubs also run summer touch and tag sessions that welcome beginners, which makes them a relaxed way for a non-player partner to try the game.
Commuter towns
Surrey, Kent, Hertfordshire, Berkshire and Essex all have busy, welcoming clubs with strong junior sections, and many London workers play or coach near home at weekends.
Safety in a big city
Stick to a lively public venue, get yourself there and back, and hold onto personal details for now. Be careful with anyone offering tickets to a sold-out Twickenham international. Our safety guide explains more.
Elsewhere in the UK
Our other city guides cover Cardiff and Edinburgh. The locations hub has more about dating across the country.
Find your London rugby match
From the Stoop to a muddy pitch in east London, the capital is full of rugby people. Signup Here and meet someone who would be happy to spend a Saturday on a London touchline with you.