London Sports Festival 2026

If you're heading to London in 2026, you might find your trip takes an unexpected turn — and we mean that in the best possible way. Dotted across the city's most iconic spots, from riverside locations to the shadow of the Tower of London, London Sports Festival is turning public spaces into places where anyone can show up, have a go, and be part of something fun.

Book It Please is a proud partner of London Sports Festival, so here's everything you need to know before you visit.

What Is London Sports Festival?

London Sports Festival is a city-wide programme of sport, activity, and community events run by Central London Alliance CIC, and it draws in everyone: locals, office workers on lunch breaks, school groups, and visitors who stumbled onto a padel court when they were supposed to be sightseeing.

It's not a spectator event, it's a festival focussed on participation. The whole point is that you show up and give something a go, whether that's a sport you've played for years or one you've never even heard of. Previous festivals have brought in over 30,000 participants, and 2026 is shaping up to be the biggest yet.

Where and When: What's Confirmed for 2026

The full programme hasn't been announced yet, but courts are already open and there's plenty to get stuck into. Here's what's running right now:

Pickleball at St James's Park Station (18 February – 17 May)

Pickleball is having a serious moment globally, and London Sports Festival has been ahead of the curve. If you haven't tried it yet, this is a good excuse — it's social, it's fast, and you don't need any experience to enjoy it. St James's Park Station puts you right in the centre of things, steps from the park itself.

Padel Table Tennis at Tower Suites Walkway (18 February – 3 April)

A hybrid format that takes a bit of getting used to, in the best way. Set on one of the more dramatic stretches of riverside in the city, it's worth going just for the location — the sport is a bonus.

Padel at Tower Hill Terrace (12 March – 25 October)

If you want to play padel with an iconic backdrop, this is your spot. The Tower of London looming over you while you chase down a shot is the kind of only-in-London experience that's hard to beat. And with courts open from March through to October, there's a long window to fit it into your trip.

More locations and events will be announced as 2026 goes on, so it's worth keeping an eye on the festival website.

Padel at Hay's Galleria (19 March - 23 August)

Join the world’s fastest-growing sport at the iconic Hay’s Galleria, just steps away from London Bridge. Enjoy a game of Padel with friends, colleagues, or family in this stunning indoor mall. Plus, all equipment is provided for you.

Padel Table Tennis at St Paul's Cathederal (8 April - 4 June)

Padel table tennis has come to the City of London, located in front of the iconic St Paul's Cathederal. Think table tennis but with additional opportunities to bounce the ball off the walls around you.

3x3 Basketball at Paternoster Square (26 May)

There's nothing like basketball - fast, fun, and even better when shared with a great community. This May, experience 3x3 basketball for yourself; London Sports Festival brings together workers, residents and visitors from across the city through the world's fastest growing urban sport.
 
For one day on 26 May, as a taster of what’s to come later this summer, experience 3x3 Basketball. 

Pickleball at New Street Square (1 June - 17 July)

Enjoy a game of pickleball at New Street Square, in the City of London. Gather your friends, colleagues and family and try this fun, yet competitive sport. Plus, discover the charm of New Street Square, one of London’s hidden gems where great food and a relaxed atmosphere come together. 

Panna Footbal at the Crescent (11 June - 17 September)

The World Cup energy is here. This summer, head to the Crescent and compete 1v1 in panna football where every match is your moment to shine. Each booking session is 15min long and is suitable for up to 2 players.

How to Play

You don't need to be sporty, fit, or experienced to take part. London Sports Festival is deliberately set up for people who are curious rather than competitive.

Head to londonsportsfestival.com to book a court, check what's on near you, and stay up to date as the programme fills out.

How to Build It Into Your London Trip

London Sports Festival runs from February through to October, which means there's a good chance it'll overlap with your visit whenever you come. A few ideas for making the most of it:

If you're spending a day in Westminster, the pickleball at St James's Park Station fits neatly into a morning before you head into the park.

And if you're heading to the Tower of London anyway, booking an hour on the Tower Hill Terrace padel courts, or a quick 15 minutes of a new sport to the UK, Padel Table Tennis, turns a sightseeing afternoon into something genuinely active.

None of these require much forward planning. Most sessions are short, the locations are central, and the whole Festival is designed to be relaxed rather than intimidating.

London Sports Festival is still building out its 2026 programme, with more events, locations, and partner announcements to come. If you want to catch something specific, a particular sport, a particular area of the city, it's worth bookmarking the festival website and checking back as the year goes on.

In the meantime, if you're booking hotels for your London trip, Book It Please’s London hotel search will find you somewhere central, which, for this festival, is exactly where you want to be.

Book courts and find the full programme at londonsportsfestival.com