From football matches and Olympic cycling, to stadium climbs and crazy golf, these London sporting experiences are worth the trip.
London is one of those cities where sport is almost impossible to avoid. Football dominates, of course, but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find Olympic venues, indoor golf, cricket, cycling and plenty of opportunities to get involved yourself.
While I love seeing live sport in person, I’m also just as happy playing crazy golf against my friends. A bit of healthy competition is always fun!
In this guide I’m going to share a few of my favourite sports-themed activities. Some are serious, some are more playful. Whether you’re planning a day out with your football-mad husband, organising a stag or hen do, or just want to try something new, these are the best things to do in London for sports fans,
1. Attend a football match
Let’s start with the obvious one. If you’re a sports fan visiting London, going to a football match has to be top of the list!
London is home to some of the biggest clubs in English football, and experiencing a match in person is completely different from watching it on TV. Even if you aren’t particularly interested in the teams playing, there’s something about the atmosphere inside the ground that makes it worth experiencing.
I’ve found that arriving early makes a big difference. There’s such a fun buzz around the stadium before kick-off. Grab a drink, find your seat and enjoy the show!
If you’re looking to see a Premier League game during your visit, you can find Chelsea FC tickets here. Watching a match at Stamford Bridge is an amazing choice if you want a classic London football experience.
2. Take on The Dare Skywalk
Did you know that you can climb onto the roof of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and walk around the stadium as part of The Dare Skywalk?
You’re attached to a safety harness, of course, but that doesn’t stop your legs from feeling a little wobbly when you realise just how far below you the pitch is!
The climb takes you high above the stadium, with some fantastic views across London from the top. I love experiences like this because you’re not just looking at a famous building or taking a standard tour. You’re actually facing your fears and doing something that gives you a real sense of achievement afterwards.
If you’re a football fan who wants to experience a stadium in a completely different way, this is definitely worth adding to your London itinerary.
3. Race down the ArcelorMittal Orbit
If heights don’t bother you, the ArcelorMittal Orbit in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is another great option.
The huge red sculpture was built for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and has become one of the most recognisable landmarks in east London. You can head up to the viewing platforms for some impressive views across the capital, but personally, I’d skip straight to the slide!
The attraction’s slide twists and turns through the Orbit before sending you rapidly back towards the ground. It’s fast, slightly terrifying and enormous fun.
It’s also a great option for sports fans because you’re surrounded by the legacy of London 2012. From the top, you can see many of the famous Olympic venues, including the London Stadium and London Aquatics Centre.
4. Have a go at Olympic cycling
While we’re talking about the London Olympic Games, how about getting on your bike at Lee Valley VeloPark?
This is where the track cycling events were held during London 2012, and you can now get on the bikes yourself. There are different experiences available, including track cycling in the velodrome, road cycling, BMX and mountain biking.
You’ll definitely have that moment when you try to pick up some speed and realise just how good those Olympians are, but that’s all part of the fun!
You don’t need to be an elite cyclist to give it a try, and it’s a brilliant way to experience one of London’s Olympic venues rather than simply taking a photo outside it.
5. Pick up a bat at Sixes Cricket
If you’ve never played cricket before, it’s one of those sports that can seem a little intimidating. The matches tend to go on forever and there are all sorts of complicated rules to get your head around.
However, there’s a much more fun and accessible way to enjoy the game: Sixes.
Grab a drink, pick up a bat and compete against your friends in this fast-paced, social version of cricket. You don’t need to be particularly good at the game to play. In fact, I think it can be even more entertaining when nobody really knows what they’re doing!
It’s a great option for groups looking for something competitive but relaxed, and you’ll get to try one of Britain’s most iconic sports at the same time.
6. Test your golf skills indoors
You don’t need to head out into the countryside to enjoy a round of golf while you’re in London. Why not book a golf simulator for a few hours with your mates?
Indoor golf simulators allow you to play virtual courses using tracking technology that measures your shots. You get a lot of the enjoyment and competition of a game of golf without having to spend several hours walking around a full-size course.
Again, it’s a good group activity because you don’t need to be a serious golfer to have a great time.
Personally, though, I’d recommend booking a round of crazy golf. There are loads of fun and imaginative courses around London, so you can grab your group, pick up a putter and enjoy some friendly rivalry.
Just be warned: the person who claims they “don’t care about winning” is usually the most competitive player by the final hole!
7. Climb over the roof of The O2
A little like The Dare Skywalk, Up at The O2 is a climbing experience on the roof of The O2. With a harness on, you follow a walkway up to the centre of the dome, where you can take some amazing photos overlooking London.
I’ve done this a few times, and while it doesn’t look that scary from the ground, some sections are surprisingly steep. It’s also more of a workout than you might expect!
The views are 100% worth it, though. You get a completely different perspective of London, and there’s something very satisfying about reaching the top after making your way up the roof.
You can book daytime, sunset and twilight climbs. If you get the right weather, I’d definitely recommend going around sunset. There’s nothing quite like seeing London bathed in golden light from the top of The O2.
8. Challenge your friends to an interactive sports game
Sometimes the best sporting activity is one where nobody takes it too seriously.
London has loads of experiences where you can compete at darts, bowling, table tennis, crazy golf and other interactive games. There are also more unusual experiences such as Activate, where teams tackle rooms involving physical challenges, quick reactions and problem-solving.
I think these types of activities are particularly good if you’re travelling with a group. Everyone can have a go, regardless of whether they’re naturally sporty, and there’s usually enough competition to keep things interesting. Plus, they’re a good way to spend an evening after you’ve spent the day exploring London.
London is such a brilliant city for sports fans. Obviously, you can try to get tickets to see a range of matches, including football, tennis at Wimbledon or cricket at Lord’s. However, what I love about visiting London as a sports fan is how many other experiences are available.
Sport has increasingly been gamified for the masses, meaning you don’t need to be an elite athlete, or even particularly sporty, to get involved! You can climb a stadium, race down an Olympic landmark, have a go at cricket, test your golf swing or simply challenge your friends to a few games.
For me, that’s what makes a sporting trip to London so much fun. You could pick a match as your main event, but then add a couple of these experiences around it. Then you’ll have a trip that’s about much more than simply watching sport.
I hope this guide helps you plan an amazing sporting trip to London. Let me know what you decide to do!