London lives and breathes sport, from colossal stadiums to the cosiest local pubs where fans gather around screens to watch the big match that day. Whether it’s touring your favourite club’s home ground, trying a sport for yourself, or getting stuck into a game in a bustling atmosphere with a pint in hand, our list of things to do in London if you love sports has got you covered.
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(WA=Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of Whistle Punks
Throw a few axes at Whistle Punks
Channel your inner lumberjack at any of Whistlepunk’s trendy axe-throwing venues around London, where they provide a safe and thrilling environment for participants to try hurling axes towards targets while competing in a fun and social setting. You’ll have trained instructors guiding each session, so you’ll always be in safe hands. It’s the ideal activity for friends, date nights, or anyone seeking a dose of adrenaline and camaraderie in the heart of the city.
Whistle Punks | Oxford Circus | WA
Image Courtesy of Lord’s Cricket Ground
Watch a match at any of London’s iconic stadiums
Whether it’s the iconic Wembley Stadium, the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, or the legendary Wimbledon, London is a sporting hotspot with many legendary stadiums and grounds. The passionate cheers of the crowd, the anticipation as the match unfolds, and the shared camaraderie among fans are just a handful of the reasons heading along to a game in the city is a must for any sports fan. Heading to a match is one of the top things to do in London if you love sports.
How to get tickets to a football or cricket match
Many people hold season tickets for their favourite clubs, so sometimes, getting tickets to certain games can be tricky.
Premier League matches are always extremely popular, and you sometimes need to be a member to be able to apply for tickets at certain clubs or for some of the higher-profile fixtures.
If you want tickets for Premier League matches, you should always buy them directly from Premier League Clubs – so the website of whatever club you hope to attend a game at. Then, you can purchase tickets safely from official Club websites or ticket offices. Each club will also provide details of any authorised ticket partners on their official website. Many Clubs also categorise matches, such as Grade A, B or C. So, look out for lower-grade matches, as the possibility of getting tickets is sometimes higher.
To book a cricket game at Lords, choose the game you wish to book on their website. You can then select the number of tickets you want to purchase and complete your booking.
How to get tickets for Wimbledon
Getting tickets for Wimbledon can be a little confusing as there are different types of tickets, and they’re extremely popular, so they can be hard to get. To purchase tickets, you will need to apply for the public ballots (there’s an overseas one), or you can attempt to queue on the day, as a limited number of tickets will be available for specific days. You can also try and purchase them on the Wimbledon website the day before.
Image Courtesy of Get Your Guide
Embark on a football stadium tour
London is home to several football stadiums, including some of the most famous teams in the world. Amongst these is the iconic Emirates Stadium, home of Arsenal Football Club; Stamford Bridge, the ground of Chelsea Football Club; Tottenham Hotspur Stadium; and West Ham United’s London Stadium.
You can take multiple tours for an up-close, behind-the-scenes look at some of your favourite stadiums. This Emirates Stadium Entry Ticket and Audio Guide (WA) grants you access to the stadium, its changing rooms and the chance to retrace the steps of some of the biggest football stars in the players’ tunnel. Imagine you’re about to kick a ball in front of the 60,000 fans surrounding you. Similar tours are available for other teams, such as the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tour (WA) and the Chelsea Football Club Stadium Tour (WA), which also grants you access to the Chelsea Museum, where you can learn about the history of one of Europe’s leading clubs.
Go swimming in the Olympic pool
The Olympic swimming pool in London played a vital role in the 2012 Summer Olympics in the city. It’s located in the modern Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park right next to West Ham’s football stadium and a stone’s throw from Hackney Wick, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink post-swim (we love Barge East or Crate Brewery). This state-of-the-art facility was designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, who designed the pool with a unique wave-like roof. Since its creation, it has hosted many teeth-clenching swimming competitions, but beyond its Olympic legacy, the pool continues to serve as a local hotspot for casual swims and international events, offering a world-class aquatic experience paired with architectural excellence and sporting history.
London Aquatics Centre | Stratford | WA
Image Courtesy of Flight Club
Try your hand at darts at Flight Club
Darts has deep roots in British pub culture, where it emerged as a popular pastime, so getting stuck into a competitive game of darts is an excellent way to soak up British culture. Flight Club has redefined the traditional pub game by combining cutting-edge technology in a modern, sociable setting. Perch behind the oche and try your hand at a simple game of darts, or get stuck into any of the interactive games available – like Demolition or Snakes & Ladders. There’s also a bar at each venue, serving beer, cocktails and food, including small plates, sharing platters, pizza paddles, sweet treats and more.
Flight Club | Various Locations | WA (Except for Flight Club Bloomsbury)
Visit the World Rugby Museum
You’ll find the World Rugby Museum tucked away in the grounds of Twickenham Stadium, offering an immersive journey through the sport’s rich history, originating from a version of football played at a school in England’s Warwickshire. Home to an extensive collection of memorabilia, artefacts, and interactive exhibits, this museum showcases the evolution of rugby from its humble origins to a global phenomenon. Spend some time wandering around the iconic moments, learning about legendary players, and exploring the cultural impact of rugby through multimedia displays and engaging installations.
World Rugby Museum | Twickenham | WA
Head to a buzzing sports bar to watch the big match
Unsurprisingly, being the capital of a sports-loving nation, London boasts a variety of buzzy bars, football pubs, and dedicated venues for watching major tournaments. London is brimming with spots to catch a match, like Brigadiers (WA), a restaurant inspired by India’s military mess halls, with a bar, pool room and private dining areas where you can watch matches in style. There’s also Matchbox (WA) in Shoreditch, where you can watch games and continue the party well into the night. There’s also Pub on the Park (WA) in London Fields, a friendly local pub known for screening all the big matches, and Big Penny Social (WA) in Walthamstow, which shows all the top football, rugby and other fixtures – it’s also part of the Blackhorse Beer Mile, a must for any keen beer drinker.
Image Courtesy of F1 Arcade
Hit up the F1 Arcade
Last on our list of the best things to do in London if you love sports is heading to the F1 Arcade. It’s the ultimate hub for Formula 1 fans, boasting an impressive 60 full-motion racing simulators so you can channel your inner Lewis Hamilton. This cutting-edge social gaming venue provides a diverse range of racing challenges and competitions suitable for enthusiasts of all skill levels, accompanied by a tasty menu of food and cocktails. Beyond the immersive racing experience, F1 Arcade is the place to be to watch the F1 Grand Prix and meet other like-minded motorheads.
F1 Arcade | City of London | WA
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