If you're a rugby fan then you'll easily find a rugby match in Bristol or the surrounding areas to watch a high-standard match of this action-packed sport.
Bristol Bears men’s rugby team are in the Gallagher Premiership, England's highest tier of Rugby Union, and play other top teams in the country including Sale Sharks, Leicester Tigers, Harlequins and Saracens. The team has a number of world-class players in the squad such as Max Malins, Kyle Sinckler, Ellis Genge, Harry Randall and Virimi Vakatawa. Bristol Bears play their home matches at Ashton Gate Stadium, which is also home to Bristol City Football Club.
Bristol Bears women compete in the Allianz Premiership Women’s Rugby. They boast a squad packed with international players that have represented England and Wales, Olympic and Commonwealth Games, age-range internationals as well as BUCS champions. Their home games are played at Shaftesbury Park (home of Dings Crusaders, see below) in North Bristol and also at Ashton Gate.
Ashton Gate Stadium has also hosted England’s Red Roses women’s team and is a host venue for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup, held in England.
Not far away is Bath Rugby, who are also in the Premiership. Bath is just 12 miles away from Bristol and easily accessible on the train (10-15 minutes journey time) from Temple Meads station, which is in the city centre of Bristol.
A good standard of club rugby can also be found in Bristol at Clifton Rugby Club, Dings Crusaders and Old Redcliffians, as well as Hornets RFC from nearby Weston-super-Mare. They all play in the semi-professional fourth tier of English rugby, National League 2 West.
Alternatively, you can cross over the border to Wales and the Principality Stadium in Cardiff (under an hour by train or coach), where they host international and club rugby matches, including home matches for Wales in the Six Nations Championship each spring. Visit the website for up-to-date fixture listings.
Explore more of the sporty side of Bristol:
