If your family is into sports, the sport attractions in London can give them their fill of great sporting events and activities.
What are your little sports fans going to do while away from their television sets or practice fields? Exploring London does take you away from hometown sports, but it drops you in a thriving city with new sports attractions to explore. We put together a quick list of our favorite sports attractions in London to help you fill out your travel plan with the sport fans in mind.
Top Sport Attractions in London:
Emirates Stadium
This London football stadium can seat more than 60,000 fans and is home to Arsenal Football Club. By “football,” we mean the great game of soccer for the American readers. Emirates Stadium is one of the largest and most popular of all London football stadiums, and you can schedule you family into a tour of the facility in the Islington area while you’re in town.
You can also visit the Arsenal Museum to learn more about the history behind the football club and the stadium. There are club stores close to the stadium if you want to take home some sports gear.
Kia Oval
If you have cricket fans in the family or just want to learn a bit more about the game while you’re in London, try booking a tour of the Kia Oval in Kennington. As home to the Surrey County Cricket Club, it’s one of the oldest and most prominent facilities for live cricket games and sport attractions in London. The tour will give you an inside peek at how international cricket games work and how the players prepare for peak performance.
Lee Valley Ice Centre
Family athletes and non-athletes can try their feet at ice skating by attending a public skating session at this ice centre in the Leyton area of London. Sessions are available every day of the week, and prices are £10 or less per skater. You can pay £1 per person to just watch.
London Aquatics Centre
If you visit Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, stop by the London Aquatics Centre for a splash. It was built for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic games but is now open to local and visiting swimmers. While many locals enjoy the pool complex as members, you can pay for one-time swimming privileges while in town.
In addition to attending public open swims, you can book a lane for private swimming or attend one of the facilities family fun sessions. While the pros once swam here, swimmers of all levels are now welcome.
Lord’s Cricket Ground
If you have a cricket fan in the family, they might not want to leave London without a visit to the Home of Cricket. Lord’s Cricket Ground is owned by the Marylebone Cricket Club and is one of the more prestigious and well-known facilities for the sport.
What can your family do at Lord’s other than catching a live event if possible? You can book a tour and explore the museum, sign up for a dressing room experience, or visit the Lord’s Dining Club or Lord’s Tavern. Afternoon tea is also available in the Long Room.
VauxWall Climbing Centre
Whether you have a serious rock climber in the family or you’re all beginners and just enjoy physical activities, you can’t beat the fun of a visit to this London indoor climbing centre. There are climbing areas for beginners and experienced climbers plus designated areas for climbers under 18. It’s challenging yet tons of fun for athletic-minded families who would love to participate in some sport attractions in London.
Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium is iconic in world football. Try to snag tickets to a game or live show while you’re in town, and don’t forget to book a tour if you’re serious about the game or just have an interest in the facility.
Will to Win Sport Centres
Will to Win sports centres operate through public parks and offer a pay-to-play arrangement that never requires a membership. You can book time to use the facilities online and then stop in to add sports and leisure to your family vacation itinerary.
There are six Will to Win sport centres in London, all offering different facilities. Some of the sports you can play include:
- Tennis
- Netball
- Lawn bowling
- Golf
- Padel
- Boules
It’s a great time for the whole family!
Can You Watch Local Sports While in London?
You don’t have to entirely give up your sports back home while visiting London with the family. You can still catch replays and some live sports events if you subscribe to streaming services. You just need a computer or tablet and accommodations with Wi-Fi. Not all streaming services work from all countries, so make sure to check with your provider before traveling if you have questions.
You may even catch some major sports events on YouTube if they’re televised. That’s not the best way to view your sports content, but it’s an option when all else fails. It’s also worth noting that London is full of sports bars that show a large variety of televised sports including many American favorites.
When you’re missing something big back home, ease the pain by stopping off at another London sports attraction. You may find a new love for a sport that didn’t catch your interest previously. You may also just learn a few things while having some fun with the family on vacation.