Rugby, Cricket and British Sports in Argentina: Where to Play and Watch

Argentina's sporting culture has deep British roots. Rugby, cricket, polo, field hockey, and rowing were all introduced by the British community in the 19th century and remain embedded in the country's athletic identity. For British expats arriving in Argentina, these sports provide one of the fastest and most natural ways to build a social network.

Rugby

For related context, see Learning Spanish in Buenos Aires as a British Expat: Schools, Apps and Honest Timelines.

Argentina has the strongest rugby programme in the Americas and one of the strongest globally. Los Pumas regularly compete in the Rugby Championship alongside New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.

Domestic rugby is organised through the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) with clubs across the country:

Buenos Aires clubs welcoming to British players:

• Buenos Aires Cricket & Rugby Club (BACRC) — the oldest rugby club in South America (1899). Based in Palermo. Welcomes international players.
• San Isidro Club (SIC) — one of Argentina's most successful rugby clubs. Based in San Isidro. Strong junior and senior programmes.
• Club Atlético de San Isidro (CASI) — historic rival to SIC. Excellent facilities.
• Belgrano Athletic Club — based in Virrey del Pino. Active social and rugby programme.
• Alumni — historically linked to the Buenos Aires English High School. Strong tradition.

How to join: walk into any club, express interest, and you will be directed to training sessions. Most clubs welcome drop-in players. Annual membership: USD 500-1,500 including access to all club facilities (pool, gym, bar, social events). Training sessions: 2-3 times per week.

Level: Argentine club rugby ranges from social to highly competitive. UAR-affiliated clubs play in a tiered league system. Social players are welcome at all levels.

Cricket

Cricket in Argentina dates back to 1831 when British merchants formed the first clubs. Today, cricket is a niche but passionate sport:

Where to play:

• Buenos Aires Cricket Club — the original club, still active in Don Torcuato (northern suburbs)
• Hurlingham Club — private club in Hurlingham, offers cricket alongside polo and golf
• Belgrano Athletic Club — social cricket alongside rugby
• St. Andrew's Scots School — school cricket with community connections

The Argentine Cricket Association organises a domestic season (October-March) with leagues in Buenos Aires and the interior. Weekend matches follow the traditional format: whites, tea breaks, and a post-match bar.

How to join: contact any club directly. Cricket is always short of players in Argentina, so newcomers are particularly welcome. Subscription: USD 300-800/year.

Field hockey

Argentina is a global powerhouse in field hockey. Las Leonas (women) and Los Leones (men) are multiple Olympic medallists. Club hockey is popular, especially among women, and many clubs accept recreational players.

Notable clubs: GEBA, Lomas Athletic, Club Ciudad, and most of the rugby clubs also run hockey sections.

Rowing

The Tigre and San Fernando river corridor is Argentina's rowing centre. Clubs include:

• Buenos Aires Rowing Club (est. 1873) — British-founded, active rowing programme
• Tigre Boat Club — historic British institution, rowing, sailing, and social events
• Club de Regatas La Marina — competitive rowing

Annual membership: USD 800-2,000 including boat access and facilities.

Polo

Argentina is the world capital of polo. The game was introduced by British immigrants and Argentina produces most of the world's professional polo players.

For British expats interested in polo:

• Polo lessons are available at clubs around Pilar, San Antonio de Areco, and La Plata
• Watching polo is free at many tournaments. The Argentine Open (November-December at Campo Argentino de Polo in Palermo) is the sport's World Cup equivalent
• Costs: polo is expensive. Lessons start at USD 100-200/session including horse. Club membership for playing members can run USD 2,000-10,000/year

Premier League football

Argentine sports bars and British-themed pubs show Premier League, Champions League, and Six Nations matches regularly:

Buenos Aires pubs showing UK sport:

• The Shamrock (Rodríguez Peña 1220, Recoleta) — Irish pub, all major UK and European sport
• Druid In (Reconquista 1040, Microcentro) — Premier League, Champions League
• Cervecería Antares (multiple locations) — craft beer, big screens, international sport
• Temple Bar (Marcelo T. de Alvear 924) — Premier League focus
• Sugar (Costa Rica 4619, Palermo) — sports bar with multiple screens

Kick-off times work reasonably well for Buenos Aires: UK 3 PM Saturday matches are 11 AM-12 PM in Argentina. Evening European matches are late afternoon Argentine time.

The social dividend

Joining a sports club is one of the fastest ways to build genuine friendships in Argentina. Argentine sporting culture is intensely social: the tercer tiempo (third half. the post-match social at the club bar) is as important as the game itself. For British expats used to the rugby or cricket club culture, the format is immediately familiar.

Many British expats report that their strongest Argentine friendships originated through sports clubs rather than through work, school, or neighbourhood connections.

Not sporting advice. Contact any club directly for current training schedules, membership fees, and trial sessions.

Worth reading next

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• Argentine Christmas as a British Expat: What to Expect at 35°C
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