Where to watch rugby in London

Where to watch rugby in London

With its rich sporting history and deep-rooted pub culture, London has always been a hub for rugby enthusiasts worldwide. The capital's many watering holes come alive with the roars of fans enjoying the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations, and other major rugby union matches. Our guide to where to watch rugby in London highlights the best rugby pubs in the city, from historic boozers with deep ties to rugger to spiffy modern sports bars with a host of additional entertainment.

In this guide
  1. The best places for watching rugby in London
    1. The Cabbage Patch – The world's most famous rugby pub?
    2. The Admiral Nelson – Welcoming local boozer
    3. The Faltering Fullback – A North London institution
    4. Greenwood – One-stop-shop for all things sport
    5. Long Arm Sports Pub & Brewery – Scrumptious scrumming
    6. The Alexandra – Historic sports pub
    7. Famous Three Kings – One of the UK's finest
    8. The Eel Pie – A shrine to all things rugby
    9. Park Tavern – Red Roses and Springboks
    10. The Moretown Belle – Prime spot for a sightseeing break
    11. The Whittington Stone – Book your booth
    12. Orange Tree – Iconic South West London rugby pub
    13. The Princess Of Wales – The roots of the Red Roses
    14. Pub on the Park – Outdoor fun
    15. The Castle – Terrace viewing
    16. Twickenham Stadium – The home of rugby in England

The best places for watching rugby in London

The Cabbage Patch

The world's most famous rugby pub?

A stone's throw from Twickenham Stadium, the home of the England national rugby union team, The Cabbage Patch has declared itself the most famous rugby pub in the world. Adorned with an array of rugby mementos and offering a spacious beer garden, it's the ideal spot for drinks before or after a game. If you're not attending in the stadium, the pub's screens bring the match to you, complemented by traditional pub fare and beverages.

The Admiral Nelson

Welcoming local boozer

Another rugby pub within walking distance of Twickenham Stadium, The Admiral Nelson, is a classic Fullers pub that celebrates the thrilling ups and downs of rugby. This family-friendly rugby tavern is equipped with large screens for live sports, along with the usual pub trappings – tasty grub, freshly poured pints, assorted other live entertainment, and a warm, welcoming ambience.

The Faltering Fullback

A North London institution

The Faltering Fullback might be in the heart of Arsenal F.C. land, but this beloved Irish pub's heart lies on the rugby pitch. The rugby pub boasts large screens, showing all major rugby competitionsand other important matches – when there's no rugby, of course. The Faltering Fullback's verdant beer garden is an attraction on its own, ensuring the pub is a top pick whether you're tuning in for the game, unwinding with a drink, or having fun at a concert.

Greenwood – Rugby pubs
Greenwood
Greenwood – Rugby pubs
Greenwood
Greenwood – Rugby pubs
Greenwood
Greenwood – Rugby pubs
Greenwood
Greenwood – Rugby pubs
Greenwood
Greenwood – Rugby pubs
Greenwood
Greenwood – Rugby pubs
Greenwood
Greenwood – Rugby pubs
Greenwood

Greenwood

One-stop-shop for all things sport

Greenwood in Victoria isn't focused merely on rugby. Instead, this sprawling sports pub and kitchen has enough flatscreen HD TVs and a super-projector to show a wide array of live sports – rugby included. Blending vintage aesthetics with modern technology and offering private viewing areas, shuffleboard, and an outdoor heated terrace, this sleek contemporary sports pub is perfect if you're heading out and about with your mates but still want to keep an eye on the game.

Long Arm Sports Pub & Brewery

Scrumptious scrumming

Located in Shoreditch, the Long Arm Sports Pub & Brewery pours craft beers directly from the tank, bypassing traditional packaging methods like kegs or bottles. With a pair of massive projectors and several large screens, it's an ideal venue for catching football, rugby, NFL, boxing, and other key sports events, and they've also been known to organise special themed events such as gourmet rugby dinners in collaboration with London's leading gastropubs.

The Alexandra

Historic sports pub

With a legacy of more than a century and a half, The Alexandra in Clapham is a venerable sports institution that offers a mix of tradition and modernity with its two projectors and five HD TVs. Besides viewing all manner of live sports, including the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations, Autumn Internationals, and Premiership rugby, visitors can engage in a game of darts, enjoy DJ nights, partake in pub quizzes, and more. 

Famous Three Kings

One of the UK's finest

Regularly voted one of the best sports pubs nationwide, Fulham's Famous Three Kings boasts numerous HD screens showcasing a wide range of sports, including major rugby games. Add a menu of tasty pub classics, fun special experiences such as bottomless brunch or gin tasting, and a vibrant, friendly ambiance, and it's easy to see why this modern establishment is such as hit.

The Eel Pie

A shrine to all things rugby

The Eel Pie is adorned with rugby kits, press clippings, ticket stubs, and other rugby-related keepsakes, while also paying homage to its love of live music through posters and instruments. The Twickenham pub broadcasts live sports on multiple screens and boasts a charming outdoor space that goes well with the classic pub grub and drinks on offer. Live music is regularly on here as well.

Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern
Park Tavern – Rugby pubs
Park Tavern

Park Tavern

Red Roses and Springboks

Combining traditional British pub culture with South African culinary influences, it's no wonder this gastropub in Wandsworth is also a bit mad about rugby. Rugby screenings and other live entertainment such as music and pub quizzes are a constant here. The pub offers an extensive drinks menu, notably featuring South African wines, and the food revolves around seasonal ingredients and British meats grilled on a South African braai.

The Moretown Belle

Prime spot for a sightseeing break

Situated close to the Tower of London, The Moretown Belle boasts an impressive sports setup, featuring more than 30 UHD screens and multi-screen displays, broadcasting live sports from around the world. This contemporary sports bar with neon accents offers a menu spanning from breakfast to classic pub fare. You can also play darts or pool here or just chill on the sunny terrace.

The Whittington Stone

Book your booth

Recently refurbished, the Whittington Stone in Archway is a pleasant traditional pub, providing all the usual comforts such as filling pub fare, Sunday roasts, freshly drawn pints, and an inviting outdoor garden. You can watch football, rugby, and other live sports on HD TVs. For a more intimate experience, you can even book one of the booths with their own screen.

Orange Tree

Iconic South West London rugby pub

Renowned as a rugby stronghold in South West London, the Orange Tree is a frequent stop for fans travelling to or from the nearby Twickenham Stadium. All of the major matches are screened here as well, with the patio grill turned up to provide meaty match day snacks. Alongside classic pub fare and beverages, the pub offers a relaxing outdoor area and boutique rooms for those seeking accommodation. 

The Princess Of Wales

The roots of the Red Roses

Perched on the fringe of Blackheath, The Princess of Wales is a classic Victorian pub with a bright conservatory and one of the country's oldest surviving barbacks. While refurbished in 2022, its roots trace back to the 19th century, including its role as a changing room for the England national rugby team's first international against Wales. Today, the pub celebrates its rugby heritage by screening matches and preserving various memorabilia.

Pub on the Park

Outdoor fun

Pub on the Park features a spacious terrace with panoramic park vistas. Inside, you'll discover maze-like, cosy rooms, warming open fires, and big screens broadcasting major sports such as football or rugby – including outdoor screens in the summer. The pub's location overlooking London Fields also makes it ideal if you've got a hankering to kick the ball around a bit yourself. Traditional pub fare, regular DJ nights, and special events add to the pub's appeal.

The Castle

Terrace viewing

The Castle in Islington is fittingly named for its rooftop terrace that offers a vantage point over the passers-by below. The terrace also boasts a big screen for watching rugger and other sports, with further screens inside if the weather is uncooperative. Serving up classic British fare, including Sunday roasts, the pub also provides an array of local beers, cocktails, and fine wines. Your pooch can come along for the match as well.

Twickenham Stadium

The home of rugby in England

Not a rugby pub per se, but as the world's largest stadium dedicated exclusively to rugby, the home of the England national team, and the site of the World Rugby Museum, it certainly deserves a mention. Up to 82,000 visitors can enjoy live rugby action hereand various hospitality facilities such as restaurants, bars, and even a gym.

Send suggestion

Did we miss something in this guide?

Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.