Where can you play rugby on the Costa Blanca (and where can you watch it)?

Yes, you can play rugby on the Costa Blanca: the province has an active community of clubs that recruit adults and children, and newcomers get a warm welcome. Rugby is not the first sport people picture in Spain, but here it has a genuine following, and turning up to a session is usually all it takes to get started.

How do you join a club as an adult?

Alicante province has several rugby clubs (in Alicante, Elche and other towns), affiliated to the regional federation under the Spanish federation (FER). They welcome all levels, from complete beginners to experienced players, men and women alike, and a good share of the squad is often international, which makes a club a great way to build a social circle when you arrive. Training resumes at the end of summer: just show up to a session, and the club sorts out your licence.

How do you get your kids playing?

Most clubs run a rugby school (escuela) with age categories, often taking children from age five or six. The emphasis is firmly on values (respect, camaraderie and the "third half", the post-match gathering for families), and sign-ups happen at the September start of term. Integration tends to happen fast in this sport, even for a child who does not yet speak Spanish.

Where can you watch rugby?

Provincial club matches at weekends are free or nearly free, with a relaxed, family atmosphere, so they are an easy first outing. For top-level rugby, the División de Honor (the Spanish championship) is followed on television and streaming, and regional tournaments fill out the rest of the season.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take up rugby as an adult beginner?

Yes. Costa Blanca clubs regularly welcome adult beginners, often expats. They explain the basics and bring you in gradually, so there is no need to have played before.

Is there women's rugby?

Yes, and it is growing, with dedicated teams or sections at several clubs. Ask your nearest club what it offers.

From what age can you sign a child up?

Often from age five or six at the rugby school, with a playful, safe approach: real contact is introduced gradually rather than from day one.

Sources

• Federación Española de Rugby (FER): ferugby.es
• Federación de Rugby de la Comunidad Valenciana: furcv.com

Verified in July 2026. Clubs and calendars change every season, so check with the club before committing.

Information verified in July 2026. The Daily Costa Blanca is an AI-assisted publication with human editorial review and responsibility.