Rugby
Everything you need to know about playing rugby in Manchester, including clubs, competitions, events and facilities across the city.
Rugby in Manchester
Rugby plays an important role in Manchester’s sporting landscape, with a strong mix of community participation, club competition and elite performance across the city. From local grassroots clubs and school programmes to inclusive formats such as touch and tag rugby, there are opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to get involved.
Manchester is also home to high‑level rugby, with professional teams and major fixtures regularly taking place across the region. The city has hosted significant events, including matches during the Women’s Rugby World Cup, helping to strengthen Manchester’s reputation as a destination for top‑level sport. These elite opportunities sit alongside a thriving local game, connecting performance with participation in communities across the city.
Whether you’re looking to try rugby for the first time, return to the sport, or play regularly as part of a team, there are a variety of ways to get involved. Explore opportunities to play, train, watch and enjoy rugby across Manchester.
Getting started
Rugby is a great way to be active, build confidence and connect with others, whether you’re new to the sport or returning after a break. Across Manchester there are plenty of opportunities to get involved, from welcoming local clubs and casual sessions to leagues, competitions and events.
You can start by finding a club that suits your age, experience and level of commitment, or by joining beginner‑friendly sessions that focus on skills, movement and enjoyment of the game. Many leisure centres and community venues across the city host rugby sessions, while events and leagues offer chances to play regularly or take part competitively.
Explore the options on this page to find clubs, sessions, events and facilities near you, and take your first step into rugby in Manchester.
Find rugby activities
Ready to give rugby a try? There are rugby opportunities taking place across Manchester for players of all ages, abilities and experience levels.
Whether you’re looking for a fun introduction to the game, a social session, junior activities, regular training or competitive rugby, there are plenty of ways to get involved both on and off the pitch.
Use our Activity Finder below to discover rugby activities near you and find the right session based on your location, age group and playing experience.
Find a club or pitch
Joining a rugby club or training at a local pitch is a great way to get active, learn new skills and be part of a strong community. Whether you’re looking for a social introduction to the game or a more competitive environment, there are options across Manchester to suit different interests and experience levels.
Manchester is home to a range of rugby clubs and pitches, welcoming players of all ages and abilities. From beginner‑friendly sessions and non‑contact formats like tag and touch rugby, to full‑contact training and league play, there are opportunities to get involved at every stage. Clubs across the city include:
- Blackley Rangers
- Broughton Park Rugby Union Football Club
- Didsbury Toc H Rugby Club
- North Manchester RUFC
- Old Bedians RUFC
- Wythenshawe Community Rugby Club
Each club offers something different, from social rugby and youth development to competitive teams and structured pathways.
Use our Activity Finder to search for rugby clubs and pitches near you, and find the right opportunity based on your location, age group and level of experience.
Elite Rugby
Manchester is a leading city for elite rugby, with a strong presence across men’s, women’s and inclusive formats of the game. The region is home to Sale Sharks, competing at the highest level of professional rugby, alongside a growing women’s team, reflecting the continued expansion of the women’s game and opportunities at elite level.
Sale Sharks Foundation is the charitable arm of Sale Sharks, using the power of rugby to educate, inspire, support and improve the lives of people across the North West.
Manchester also plays an important role in showcasing diverse formats of rugby, including wheelchair rugby, with opportunities to engage with high‑performance inclusive sport alongside traditional formats of the game.
The city and wider region regularly host major rugby events, including fixtures during the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup and the Super League Grand Final, bringing top‑level competition and international audiences to Manchester. These events highlight the city’s reputation as a destination for world‑class sport.
Elite rugby in Manchester inspires people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved, whether as players, coaches, officials or supporters. These elite teams and major events sit alongside a thriving grassroots game, helping to connect high‑performance rugby with participation across the city.
Learn more about the Sale Sharks Foundation here.
Discover upcoming elite fixtures, major events and opportunities to watch top‑level rugby in Manchester.
Women & Girls' Rugby
Women’s and girls’ rugby is one of the fastest-growing parts of the game, with new opportunities to play, coach and get involved appearing across Manchester every season.
Whether your club wants to set up a Women & Girls’ section, boost recruitment, run an Inner Warrior Camp or a Girls’ Activity Day, England Rugby offers free digital assets and resources to help you grow.
England Rugby Learning
England Rugby has launched a new course and resource platform, England Rugby Learning, replacing the old booking process on the Game Management System (GMS). It’s mobile-first and app-based, so coaches, match officials and volunteers can complete training anytime, anywhere, with content that’s more personalised to their role.
The platform makes it easier to move from learning to qualifications, tracks compliance automatically, and gives a clearer view of who’s trained and ready to support the game. Essential learning , including Headcase and Safeguarding stays free for all volunteers.
Try Non-Contact Rugby (T1 Rugby)
T1 Rugby is a non-contact, inclusive version of the game that keeps the key elements of traditional rugby — lineouts, scrums, kicking and breakdowns — without the physical contact.
It’s designed to be easy to deliver and fun to play, making it a great way to try rugby for the first time, whatever your age, ability or background — in clubs, schools, colleges, universities and community settings across Manchester.
University Rugby
Manchester is one of the UK’s most dynamic hotspots for university rugby, offering two completely distinct vibes depending on what you are looking for.
Many people start playing rugby at university. With various formats of the game, including contact and non-contact, there are numerous playing options for huge variety of physical, psychological, and social skills. It’s not just for the fastest or fittest person: whatever size or shape, there’s a place for everyone.
Alongside traditional contact rugby for men and women, T1 Rugby (non-contact) and XRugby (reduced contact) offer alternative ways to play.
British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) runs competitions, festivals and leagues for every level with over 65 leagues UK-wide, including National Super Rugby leagues for players who want to develop at a higher level.
Manchester’s two university programmes both offer BUCS rugby:
University of Manchester (UoM)
Rugby Union teams for men (UMRFC) and women (UMWRFC) across several BUCS divisions, plus Rugby League and social Touch Rugby.
Learn more about University of Manchester Rugby Union here.
Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
MMU Rugby, one of the largest university rugby programmes in the North West, with men’s and women’s BUCS teams and a performance pathway linked to Sale Sharks.
Learn more about Manchester Metropolitan University Rugby here.
Why play rugby?
Rugby is about much more than getting active. It’s a fun, social and welcoming sport that brings people together, helping you build confidence, make new connections and enjoy being part of a team.
Taking part is a great way to improve fitness, strength and coordination, while supporting your wellbeing through movement, teamwork and shared experiences. Rugby can also help develop confidence, communication and resilience, on and off the pitch.
Whatever your age, ability or experience, there’s a way to enjoy rugby that works for you. From touch and tag rugby to social sessions and club rugby, you can find an opportunity that suits how you want to play.
Across Manchester, clubs and sessions offer welcoming and supportive places to get involved. Whether you’re completely new to rugby, returning to the game or looking for a new way to be active, everyone is welcome. Come along and give it a go.
Find rugby today
Find a wide range of activities across Manchester - including swimming, fitness classes, sports and holiday activities - all in one easy place.