Bristol is a good city for sport, whether you want to watch a match at the weekend or join a club after work. Joining a team is also one of the quickest ways to meet people if you have moved here for a new job.
Watching sport
Football. Bristol has two professional clubs. Bristol City play at Ashton Gate in south Bristol, and Bristol Rovers play at the Memorial Stadium in Horfield. The rivalry between them is a big part of local life. Bristol City Women also play in the top tiers of the women's game.
Rugby. Bristol Bears, one of the leading clubs in English rugby union, share Ashton Gate with Bristol City. Matchdays are a good, family-friendly day out.
Cricket. Gloucestershire County Cricket Club play at the County Ground in Bishopston, near Gloucester Road. County matches are relaxed and inexpensive, and the ground also hosts some international and short-format fixtures.
Getting to the grounds
- Ashton Gate: about 30 minutes' walk from the city centre, across the river through Bedminster. Extra buses and park and ride services usually run on matchdays. Parking near the ground is very limited, and residents' parking schemes apply.
- Memorial Stadium and the County Ground: both are in north Bristol, close to Gloucester Road, with frequent buses from the centre. Walking or cycling is often quicker than driving on match days.
Playing sport: grassroots clubs
Almost every sport has amateur clubs across Greater Bristol, with teams for all abilities. Football, rugby, cricket, hockey and netball clubs usually recruit in late summer before the season starts, but most welcome new players at any time. Sports centres and leisure centres around the city offer gyms, pools and classes with pay-as-you-go options.
Running and cycling
The Downs, the Harbourside and the Bristol and Bath Railway Path are popular routes. There are free weekly parkruns in several Bristol parks, and the city has many running clubs. For cycling, the Railway Path and the routes along the Avon are good for commuting and leisure, and there are clubs for road riding and mountain biking. The woods around Ashton Court are popular with mountain bikers.
Swimming
Bristol has a mix of council-run leisure pools and historic outdoor pools. Clifton Lido and the open-air pool at Portishead are popular in summer, and there are open-water swimming sessions at nearby lakes and at Clevedon's Marine Lake.
On the water
The Floating Harbour and the River Avon are used for canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and rowing. Several clubs and centres on the harbour offer taster sessions and courses for beginners. Paddling on the harbour normally requires a permit or membership of a club that holds one.
Other activities
- Orienteering: local clubs run events across Bristol's parks and the surrounding countryside, suitable for beginners and families.
- Scuba diving: clubs train in local pools before diving at inland sites and along the coast.
- Air sports: gliding, paragliding and flying clubs operate within reach of Bristol, using the hills and airfields of the wider region.
- Dance: schools across the city teach everything from ballet to salsa, swing and street dance, with many adult beginners' classes.
Working in sport and leisure
Leisure centres, gyms, stadiums and outdoor activity providers recruit throughout the year, and Ashton Gate and the other grounds hire extra staff on matchdays.