Rugby’s greatest annual grudge match returns in 2026 – and as ever, London will be one of the best places on earth to watch it all unfold.Whether you’re after a roaring pub packed with partisan fans, a big-screen fan zone with stadium-style atmosphere, or a more laid-back spot where you can actually hear the commentary, the capital has you covered. From early kick-offs to Friday night finishes,from north London boozers to riverside bars,here’s where to catch every crunching tackle,last-gasp try and nerve-shredding conversion of the Six Nations 2026 in London.
Best London pubs and bars to watch the Six Nations 2026
From cavernous sports halls to cosy corner locals, the capital is spoiled for choice when it comes to screening every ruck and rolling maul. Clerkenwell’s The Sekforde pairs independent ales with a serious sound system and multiple screens, while Borough’s The Old King’s Head crams in regulars shoulder-to-shoulder for that sweaty, stadium-adjacent atmosphere. In Marylebone, The Carpenter’s Arms lays on Irish and Scottish whiskies to match the fixture list, and in Hammersmith, The Latymer is already taking group bookings for its big projector room. East of the City, The Water Poet revival continues, with a sprawling beer garden that transforms into an outdoor rugby village when the weather plays ball.
- Big-screen temples: Greenwood (Victoria), Belushi’s (London Bridge), The Faltering Fullback (Finsbury Park)
- Rugby-mad locals: The Cabbage Patch (Twickenham), The Alexandra (Clapham), The Ship (Wandsworth)
- Craft-beer & scrum: Howling Hops Tank Bar (Hackney Wick), The Craft Beer Co (Clerkenwell)
- Late-night options: Bar Kick (Shoreditch), Sports Bar & Grill (Old Street)
| Pub | Area | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwood | Victoria | Wall-to-wall HD screens |
| The Cabbage Patch | Twickenham | Hardcore rugby crowd |
| Bar Kick | Shoreditch | Late games & foosball |
| The Water Poet | Spitalfields | Big groups & beer garden |
Screen sizes sound and seating plans for the ultimate matchday experience
Whether you’re chasing every pass or half-watching over a plate of wings, the way a pub is kitted out can make or break your Six Nations ritual. Look out for venues advertising multiple HD or 4K screens, ideally with at least one giant projector for the big fixtures and smaller side screens so no one’s craning their neck from the bar. Pubs that invest in zoned sound are worth seeking out: you want the commentary clear without drowning out your mate’s analysis of the line-out. It’s also worth checking in advance if they mute the TVs for live bands or DJ sets later on – a last-minute switch to background-only visuals can be a buzzkill in the dying minutes of a tight test.
Smart seating plans separate the die-hard fans from the casual crowd. Bookable booths, raised platforms and long beer-hall-style tables bring different experiences under one roof, and the best venues publish a simple layout so you know where you’ll actually see the posts. Aim for spots with clear sightlines, no dangling fairy lights across the projector beam, and a mix of standing space for big groups and quieter corners for those tracking every statistic. When in doubt, ask about these matchday basics:
- Screen visibility: Can you see at least one screen without turning your chair?
- Dedicated sound: Is commentary on throughout the game, not just key moments?
- Bookings vs walk-ins: Are front-row tables pre-book only?
- Table service: Does staff come to you, or will you miss kicks queuing at the bar?
| Setup Type | Best For | What To Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Big projector room | Full-squad meet-ups | How early do doors open for key fixtures? |
| Screen-lined bar | Solo fans and small groups | Is there a screen visible from most bar stools? |
| Booths with TVs | Long sessions with food | Is there a minimum spend or fixed time slot? |
Family friendly venues and late night spots for every type of rugby fan
Mini fans in tow? Swap sticky-floored pubs for venues that welcome buggies and booster seats. Southbank Center‘s bars and foyers often screen big matches on pop-up big screens, with space for prams and plenty of snack options, while north of the river, family-focused chains like Pizza Pilgrims and Brewhouse & Kitchen (Islington and Highbury) lean into matchdays with kids’ menus, colouring sheets and sound levels that won’t terrify toddlers.Many suburban rugby clubs – from Rosslyn Park in Barnes to Blackheath in south-east London – open their clubhouses to non-members during the championship, offering affordable grub, grassy sidelines for mid-match run-arounds, and a chance for young supporters to see real posts and muddy boots up close.
- Best for kids’ menus: Casual pizzerias and brewery pubs with dedicated children’s dishes.
- Best for big groups: Clubhouses and community centres with hall-style seating.
- Best for prams: Cultural centres and riverside bars with open-plan layouts.
| Venue Type | Vibe | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Rugby Clubhouse | Local, noisy, kids on the touchline | ~11pm |
| Sports Bar | Wall-to-wall screens, pitchers flowing | Late |
| Nightclub Screenings | DJ after the final whistle | Very late |
When the final whistle blows but you’re not ready to head home, London’s night owls come into their own. Central haunts like Belushi’s, Bar Kick and rooftop bars around Shoreditch and London Bridge push the volume up and the lights down once the post-match punditry fades, switching from scrum replays to late-night playlists. In the West End,a handful of clubs run dedicated rugby nights – expect giant screens for the early fixtures,then a swift transition to dancefloors and discounted drinks for anyone still in a replica jersey.Out east, brewery taprooms in Hackney Wick and Walthamstow often keep the taps running for overtime, mixing craft pints with impromptu singalongs of terrace anthems until the small hours.
Booking tips drink deals and neighbourhood guides for Six Nations weekends
Securing a decent vantage point in London on tournament weekends is practically a competitive sport in itself,so book early – especially for the England,Ireland and Wales fixtures. Many pubs now run timed sittings with minimum spends, so always check the small print before handing over card details. Aim for venues that let you pick between standing, bar stools or seated tables, depending on how animated your group tends to get. If you’re in a larger crowd, look beyond the obvious rugby temples and try hotel bars, brewery taprooms or members’ club-style spaces, which often release additional tables closer to match day. For spontaneous types, fringe neighbourhoods like Peckham, Walthamstow, Crystal Palace and Acton typically have room for walk-ins if you arrive at least an hour before kick-off.
- Happy hour hacks: Look for extended pre-match deals on pints and house wines – many run until the first whistle.
- Bucket bundles: Craft-focused bars often switch to bucket or pitcher pricing to keep service moving.
- Food first: Pubs with set-menu brunches or sharing platters will usually hold your table for the entire game.
- Neighbourhood sweet spots: Try Twickenham,Richmond and Putney for riverside rugby crowds,or Clapham and Battersea for wall-to-wall big screens.
| Area | Vibe | Typical Deals |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond | Pre- and post-Twickenham buzz | Early-bird table packages |
| Shoreditch | Big screens,louder crowds | 2-for-1 cocktails before KO |
| Brixton | Late-night atmosphere | Bucket beers & wings combos |
| Greenwich | Family-friendly riverside | Kids’ menus and soft-drink offers |
Concluding Remarks
Wherever you end up watching the Six Nations in 2026 – be it a heaving rugby pub in Twickenham,a big-screen fan zone in the West End,or a tucked-away local with a single TV over the bar – London will be leaning into every scrum,line-out and last-gasp kick.Venues will tweak their offerings, fixtures may shift, and pop-up screenings are likely to appear as the tournament approaches, so it’s worth double-checking bookings, kick-off times and any entry fees before you head out.Keep an eye on transport updates too, particularly at weekends when engineering works can turn a straightforward journey into a tactical detour.
However you choose to watch,expect packed rooms,partisan chanting and that familiar mix of nail-biting tension and communal joy. The capital does big sporting occasions better than most – and the Six Nations remains one of the city’s most reliable excuses to turn an ordinary winter weekend into something much louder.
