Things to do for sports fans in London

Wembley Stadium is a British icon in both sports and music, famous the world over for hosting some of the most memorable sports events in history, as well as record-breaking shows by global superstars. The 90,000-capacity stadium, the second largest in Europe, is the home ground of England's men's national football team and has also hosted major football matches such as UEFA Champions League finals and the FA Cup finals. You can book various tours of the facilities.

Wembley is far from the only stadium in London, but it is the only one that can be considered somewhat neutral ground, at least when it comes to football. Which of the others you visit will likely depend on where your football club allegiances lie. Many of them offer guided tours, some house museums dedicated to their club, and others offer additional thrills such as a skywalk. And if you're able to get tickets to a football match at one of them, go for it – it's an experience unlike any other, regardless of who's playing. Read our stadium guide for all the details.

When it comes to historic sports venues, it's not all about the football stadiums – there are cricket stadiums as well. Lord's Cricket Ground is considered to be the spiritual home of this fascinating sport. One of its most striking features is the iconic Grade II listed Pavilion, which has become global symbol of the sport. If you want to learn how to wield a bat and what exactly to do with the bails and stumps, lessons are offered at the indoor cricket centre.

Located at Twickenham Stadium, the World Rugby Museum is home to the most prestigious collection of rugby memorabilia anywhere in the world. Launched in 1983, the award-winning museum rotates more than 41,000 exhibits through its galleries, as well as hosting special exhibitions and learning programmes. You can also book a tour of Twickenham Stadium.

This private members' club is the most famous tennis venues in the world. It's where the annual Wimbledon Championships, the only Grand Slam tournament held on grass, are held, resulting in thousands upon thousands of tennis fans from all over the world making the pilgrimage here in summer. The rest of the year, non-members can visit for a tour of the grounds or pay a visit to the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum.

Built for the 2012 Olympic Games, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a verdant urban oasis stretching along the River Lea. It encompasses top-notch sports and event amenities, lush landscapes, well-maintained walkways, and play areas. The park houses numerous Olympics-associated attractions such as the Olympic Rings and the ArcelorMittal Orbit sculpture, complemented by an assortment of cafés and gardens.

Encompassing no fewer than 82 football, rugby and cricket pitches, Hackney Marshes are considered the spiritual home of Sunday league football. You'll find someone kicking a ball around more or less any time of day here, regardless of the weather, but peak season is summer. Especially on sunny weekend mornings you can expect to see legions of amateur footballers chasing hangovers away with a bit of footwork.

If you're looking for some Wimbledon action yourself, grab a mate and book one of the many tennis courts around London. Both indoor and outdoor options are available, and many of the facilities offer courses or personal trainers to help improve your game. Find more details in our guide to the best tennis courts in London.

Padel is a fast-growing racket sport that's popular all over the world as a fun and exciting alternative to tennis that is easier to adapt to different skill and fitness levels than its more famous cousin. You can play it both indoor and outdoor courts in London, with dedicated padel clubs offering lessons and leagues for both casual and more serious competitors.

Likely everyone has held a table tennis paddle in their hand at one point in their life or another, on account of this popular sport being suited to both professional arenas and casual Friday night throwdowns at your local. Whether you're looking for serious training and competition or just for something to do in between sips of your pint, ping pong is played across numerous London venues. Find the best ones in our guide.

Golf isn't to everyone's liking, but once you get into the, ahem, swing of things, it can be a surprisingly fun and strenuous sports activity. You'll want to hit the links at one of London's golf clubs for the full experience, but if you're short on time or good weather, or just want to give it a test run before committing, indoor golf simulators are a decent alternative.

Toca Social combines two of the nation's favourite pastimes, drinking and football, in an interactive entertainment experience that's sure to be a winner among footie fans. You can book a private booth and then smash the ball into the interactive screen in a variety of games. Foosball and arcade games are available as well, as are food and drinks.

The Sixes Social Cricket bars reinvent the traditional game into an exhilarating modern social experience, with high-tech cricket games that allow participants to match skills against top global players, alongside an array of other entertainment options such as batting nets. Food and drinks are served as well, contributing to a unique destination that's a good choice for casual nights out as well as larger gatherings such as team buildings.

Boasting an impressive collection of 60 advanced full-motion racing simulators, F1 Arcade is likely the closest the average Formula 1 fan can get to the real thing. You can tackle different racing contests and trials at this modern social gaming hub, suitable for all skill levels, as well as attend official F1 Grand Prix parties. Drinks and food are served too.

If your idea of a sports drink is more alcoholic than isotonic and if you prefer to watch rather than play, head to a sports bar. These establishments screen major sports events on screens throughout the venue to make sure you don't miss a thing, as well as providing refreshing drinks and a convivial atmosphere. The best ones can be found right here in our guide.

The Goal Hanger is a one-of-a-kind shop that takes significant sports moments and milestones and commemorates them in creative infographics with the help of statistics. Their prints might feature Grand-Slam-winning rallies, lifetime achievements, iconic goals or other unforgettable moments across a range of sports, making for a great gift for sports fans – especially as you can order bespoke depictions of the moments that really matter.

The London branch of an established Manchester business is your go-to destination if you're hunting for a particular football shirt from years past. Their stock of football shirts, boots, and other accessories goes back decades and spans continents, ranging from pre-loved rarities to the latest season's kits.