North London Triumph at the UK Tag Nationals 2026

The UK Tag Nationals returned on Saturday 12 September, bringing around 1,000 players and spectators to Cryfield Sports Pavilion at the University of Warwick for one of the biggest days in the Try Tag Rugby calendar.

Regions from across the country came together to compete across five categories: Mixed Open, Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Men’s 37s and Women’s 34s, with national titles and the UK Tag Nationals Champions Trophy on the line.

A mild September day provided near perfect playing conditions, with the rain holding off until the Finals as teams battled through the pool stages and playoffs.

This year’s Nationals also welcomed more teams onto the national stage. Salford Griffins made their UK Tag Nationals debut in the Mixed Open, while Newcastle Rockets continued their growth by fielding teams in both the Men’s and Women’s Open categories.

There were breakthrough performances elsewhere too. Manchester Worker Bees reached their first ever UK Tag Nationals Grand Final in the Mixed Open, marking a significant milestone for the region.

Coventry & Warwickshire Paladins also returned to the Women’s 34s Final for the second consecutive year. After making history with their first Final appearance in 2025, the Paladins went one step closer this year but were ultimately denied the title in a 3–1 defeat.

The drama continued right through to the Women’s Open Final, where North London Nighthawks faced East London Eels with more than just the category title at stake.

An incredibly tight contest could not be separated in regulation time, sending the Final into a dramatic Drop Off. North London eventually found the decisive score to claim the Women’s Open title and, with it, secure the UK Tag Nationals Champions Trophy.

Their victory brought South London Seals’ reign as Champions Trophy holders to an end and crowned North London as the strongest performing region of UK Tag Nationals 2026.

Try Tag Rugby would like to thank every player, coach, Regional Manager, referee, volunteer, member of staff and partner who helped make the 2026 UK Tag Nationals possible.

With new regions making their mark, established teams being challenged and the Champions Trophy decided in the final moments of the tournament, the 2026 Nationals showcased the strength and growing depth of Tag Rugby across the UK.

FINAL STANDINGS

Tag Nationals Trophy

Mixed Open
1st (Winners) South London Seals
2nd Manchester Worker Bees
3rd West Yorkshire White Roses
4th Edinburgh Highlanders
5th West London Wolves
6th Brighton & Hove Dolphins
7th Bristol Brabazons
8th East London Eels
9th (Plate Winners) York Phantoms
10th Manchester Salford Griffins
11th Thames Valley Titans
12th North London Nighthawks
13th Newcastle Rockets
14th Coventry & Warwickshire Paladins
15th Wigan Wizards
16th South Yorkshire Storm
17th East London Elvers

Women’s Open
1st (Winners) North London Nighthawks
2th East London Eels
3th West Yorkshire White Roses
4th South London Seals
5th Bristol Brabazons
6th Brighton & Hove Dolphins
7th West London Wolves
8th Coventry & Warwickshire Paladins
9th Edinburgh Highlanders
10th Thames Valley Titans
11th Manchester Worker Bees
12th Newcastle Rockets
13th South Yorkshire Storm

Men’s Open
1st (Winners) North London Nighthawks
2nd South London Seals
3rd West London Wolves
4th West Yorkshire White Roses
5th East London Eels
6th Bristol Brabazons
7th Edinburgh Highlanders
8th Brighton & Hove Dolphins
9th Coventry & Warwickshire Paladins
10th Manchester Worker Bees
11th Thames Valley Titans
12th Newcastle Rockets

Women’s 34s
1st (Winners) North London Nighthawks
2nd Coventry & Warwickshire Paladins
3rd West Yorkshire White Roses
4th South London Seals
5th East London Eels
6th Bristol Brabazons
7th West London Wolves
8th Thames Valley Titans

Men’s 37s
1st (Winners) South London Seals
2nd East London Eels
3rd Bristol Brabazons
4th West Yorkshire White Roses
5th North London Nighthawks
6th West London Wolves
7th Coventry & Warwickshire Paladins
8th Manchester Worker Bees
9th Thames Valley Titans
10th Edinburgh Highlanders
11th Wigan Wizards