10 Best Rugby Clubs in London: Top Teams to Follow
You’re searching for the 10 best rugby clubs in London, the capital offers an impressive mix of Premiership giants, historic community clubs and ambitious sides competing in the national leagues.
London is also one of the best places in England to watch rugby, with clubs spread from north London to Richmond, Ealing, Barnes and south-west London.
For this guide, the selection focuses on clubs with a combination of current competitive level, history, supporter culture, facilities and the overall matchday experience.
Top 10 Best Rugby Clubs in London
| Rugby club | Area | 2026/27 level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harlequins | Twickenham | Premiership | Big matchdays |
| Saracens | Hendon | Premiership | Top-level rugby |
| Ealing Trailfinders | Ealing | Championship | Championship rugby |
| Richmond | Richmond | Championship | Rugby history |
| London Scottish | Richmond | National One | Traditional rugby |
| Blackheath | Blackheath | Championship | Rugby heritage |
| Rosslyn Park | Roehampton | National One | National league rugby |
| Barnes | Barnes | National Two East | Grassroots rugby |
| Twickenham RFC | Twickenham | Community rugby | Families and players |
| London Welsh | Richmond | National Two East | Historic club culture |
London’s rugby scene is particularly strong in 2026, with Harlequins and Saracens competing at Premiership level, while Ealing Trailfinders and Richmond are both in the Championship.
1. Harlequins – Best for Premiership Rugby
Harlequins are one of London’s most recognisable rugby clubs and a natural choice for anyone wanting to experience top-level domestic rugby.
Based at The Stoop in Twickenham, Harlequins have a long connection with the capital and are one of the founding members of the Rugby Football Union. Their distinctive multi-coloured shirts have also become one of the most recognisable sights in English rugby.
A Harlequins match works particularly well if you want a proper stadium experience without travelling far from central or south-west London. The club also has a strong connection with the wider Twickenham rugby community.
Best for: Premiership rugby, families, big fixtures and first-time rugby fans.
2. Saracens – Best for High-Level Rugby in North London
Saracens bring Premiership rugby to north London, playing their home matches at StoneX Stadium in Hendon. Visit London lists Saracens among the capital’s leading rugby union clubs, while the club’s 2026/27 schedule includes Gallagher Premiership, European and PREM Rugby Cup fixtures.
The 2026/27 campaign is particularly notable because Saracens are celebrating their 150th anniversary. The club’s calendar also includes the London derby against Harlequins and The Showdown, giving supporters several major fixtures to look forward to.
StoneX is a good option if you’re based in north London and want a modern professional rugby experience.
Best for: Premiership rugby, major fixtures, families and north London supporters.
3. Ealing Trailfinders – Best for Championship Rugby
Ealing Trailfinders have become one of the most prominent clubs outside the Premiership.
The club plays at Trailfinders Sports Club in West Ealing and competes in the 2026/27 Championship, now branded Elior Champ Rugby. Ealing entered the new season after an exceptional 2025/26 campaign in which they finished top of the Championship table with 26 wins from 26 matches.
That makes Ealing particularly interesting for supporters who enjoy watching ambitious clubs just below the Premiership. The wider organisation also has a substantial grassroots setup, with rugby available for boys and girls from age four through youth and senior rugby.
Best for: Championship rugby, local supporters, developing players and grassroots rugby.
4. Richmond Rugby – Best for Rugby History
Richmond Rugby has one of the deepest histories of any rugby club in London.
Richmond was founded in 1861 and is recognised as one of the world’s oldest football clubs of any code. Today, the club plays at the Richmond Athletic Ground and competes in the Championship.
Richmond returned to the Championship after winning National One in 2024/25, securing promotion with two matches still remaining in that campaign.
For visitors, the location is another advantage. The Richmond Athletic Ground is close to Richmond town centre, making it easy to combine a rugby afternoon with pubs, restaurants and a walk along the Thames.
Best for: Rugby history, traditional club culture and a south-west London day out.
5. London Scottish – Best for Traditional Club Rugby
London Scottish is one of London’s most distinctive rugby clubs, combining London rugby with a strong Scottish identity.
The club plays its home matches at the Richmond Athletic Ground, sharing the venue with Richmond. London Scottish is competing in National One during the 2026/27 season, putting it firmly among the capital’s significant national-league clubs.
The club is also one of the historic “Exiles” clubs associated with London rugby. For spectators who prefer a more traditional rugby-club atmosphere over a large professional stadium, London Scottish is an appealing option.
Best for: Traditional rugby, club atmosphere and Richmond matchdays.
6. Blackheath Rugby – Best for Rugby Heritage
Blackheath Rugby is another club with an exceptional place in London’s rugby history.
The club has a long-standing connection with the development of rugby in England and continues to operate as a major community and senior rugby organisation. Its first team moved into the Championship for the 2026/27 season following promotion from National One. Blackheath’s own 2026 update confirmed the club’s progression into the Championship structure.
That makes Blackheath particularly interesting in 2026: supporters can watch a historic club competing at a higher level while still experiencing the feel of a traditional rugby ground.
Best for: Rugby history, traditional grounds and supporters who like community clubs.
7. Rosslyn Park – Best for National League Rugby
Rosslyn Park FC is one of the capital’s most established rugby institutions.
Founded in 1879, Rosslyn Park currently plays in National One, the third tier of English rugby. The club’s 2026/27 first XV is competing in the division alongside other established national-league clubs.
Its home, known as The Rock, is on Upper Richmond Road near Barnes Common. The club is also famous for the London Floodlit Sevens, which brings fast-paced seven-a-side rugby and a lively summer atmosphere to the ground.
Best for: National-level rugby, historic clubs and a lively local atmosphere.
8. Barnes RFC – Best for Traditional Grassroots Rugby
Barnes Rugby Football Club offers a different experience from London’s Premiership clubs.
Based on Queen Elizabeth Walk in Barnes, the club plays National Two East rugby in 2026/27. The division includes other well-known clubs such as London Welsh, Esher and Westcombe Park.
Barnes is a good choice if you want to experience the traditional side of English rugby: a local ground, community atmosphere and competitive senior rugby without the scale of a Premiership stadium.
The club also has senior men’s and women’s rugby, making it part of London’s broader community rugby network.
Best for: Grassroots rugby, local supporters and a relaxed Saturday afternoon.
9. Twickenham RFC – Best for Community Rugby
Twickenham Rugby Football Club is a strong option for anyone interested in the community side of London’s rugby culture.
The club welcomes players across different ages and ability levels and is part of a particularly rugby-rich part of the capital. Twickenham itself is home to several important rugby institutions, including Harlequins at The Stoop and the England national stadium nearby.
This is the kind of club to consider if your interest extends beyond watching professional rugby and you want to understand the local club structure that keeps the sport thriving in London.
Best for: Community rugby, local players and families.
10. London Welsh RFC – Best for Historic Club Culture
London Welsh RFC completes the list with another historic London club.
London Welsh has been based at Old Deer Park since 1957, with the ground located around a 10-minute walk from Richmond town centre. The club competes in National Two East during the 2026/27 season.
Old Deer Park gives London Welsh a particularly attractive setting, with the club sitting close to Richmond and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. The 2026/27 season also represents a new chapter for the club following changes in its rugby leadership and squad.
Best for: Historic rugby, Richmond matchdays and traditional club culture.
Best Rugby Clubs in London for Different Experiences
- For Premiership rugby: Harlequins and Saracens are the obvious places to start, with both clubs competing at the highest level of English domestic rugby in 2026/27.
- For Championship rugby: Ealing Trailfinders and Richmond provide two established London options.
- For rugby history: Richmond, Blackheath, Rosslyn Park and London Welsh all have deep connections with the development and traditions of the sport.
- For grassroots rugby: Barnes and Twickenham RFC offer a more community-focused experience.
- For a traditional club atmosphere: London Scottish, Barnes, Rosslyn Park and London Welsh are particularly suited to spectators who prefer smaller grounds and local rugby culture.
Where to Watch Rugby in London
London’s rugby grounds are spread across the capital, so choosing a club can also depend on where you are staying.
South-west London is particularly strong, with Harlequins in Twickenham, Richmond and London Scottish sharing the Richmond Athletic Ground, London Welsh at Old Deer Park and Rosslyn Park close to Barnes Common. Visit London’s rugby guide specifically highlights Harlequins, London Scottish, Richmond, Saracens and Ealing Trailfinders among the capital’s key rugby union clubs.
West London is represented strongly by Ealing Trailfinders, whose home is Trailfinders Sports Club in West Ealing.
North London is home to Saracens at StoneX Stadium in Hendon.
Tips for Watching Rugby in London
Check the competition before booking. London’s rugby clubs play across several levels, from the Premiership through the Championship and National Leagues.
Book major fixtures early. London derbies and high-profile Premiership games can attract considerably more attention than ordinary league matches. Saracens, for example, have several major London fixtures against Harlequins during the 2026/27 campaign.
Consider smaller clubs. A National League match can offer a very different experience from Premiership rugby, often with closer access to the pitch and a more traditional club atmosphere.
Use public transport where possible. Several grounds are well connected by rail, Tube or bus. Rosslyn Park, for example, is a short walk from Barnes station.
Look at women’s rugby too. Several London organisations run both men’s and women’s rugby, so checking the wider fixture calendar can give you more opportunities to see high-level rugby.
FAQs About the Best Rugby Clubs
What is the biggest rugby club in London?
London has several major professional rugby clubs, with Harlequins and Saracens competing in the Premiership in the 2026/27 season.
Which London rugby clubs play in the Championship?
For the 2026/27 season, Ealing Trailfinders and Richmond are among the London clubs competing in the Championship.
Which rugby clubs are in south-west London?
South-west London has a particularly strong rugby presence, including Harlequins, Richmond, London Scottish, Rosslyn Park and London Welsh.
Can beginners join rugby clubs in London?
Yes. London’s rugby network includes clubs offering youth, senior, women’s, community and development rugby. Ealing Trailfinders, for example, offers rugby for boys and girls from age four through youth and senior levels.
Is London good for watching rugby?
Absolutely. The capital offers everything from Premiership fixtures at large professional grounds to traditional National League matches at community clubs. That variety is one of the main attractions of following rugby in London.
Summary:
The 10 best rugby clubs in London cover a huge range of rugby experiences. Harlequins and Saracens provide Premiership rugby and major stadium occasions, while Ealing Trailfinders and Richmond offer Championship action.
Further down the national leagues, clubs such as London Scottish, Blackheath, Rosslyn Park, Barnes and London Welsh showcase the traditional club culture that remains such an important part of the sport.
For someone visiting London, the best choice depends less on finding one single club and more on deciding what kind of rugby experience you want. A Premiership derby, a historic club ground or a community rugby Saturday can all offer a very different way to experience rugby in the capital.
