TAG RUGBY EXPLAINED

New to Tag Rugby? Been introduced by a mate? Get to know the basics of our game here.

 

What is tag rugby?

Tag Rugby is a minimal contact team game in which each player wears shorts with Velcro patches and two tags attached to them. The mode of play is similar to rugby league or touch rugby, with attacking players attempting to dodge, evade and pass a rugby ball, whilst defenders attempt to prevent them from scoring by ‘tagging’ – pulling one of the attackers’ Velcro-attached tags off.

Seven players in each team are allowed on the field at a time, whilst the field dimensions are generally 70m by 45m.

The attacking team has six plays or tags to try to score a try or take the ball down field as close to the line as possible.

Tries are worth one point and there are no conversions. In mixed Tag Rugby, female tries are worth two points.

Find Your League

If you’ve played Tag Rugby in school or as a child, you’ll see that the official Try Tag Rugby rules are quite different – our rules lead to a more dynamic and enjoyable game. Our adult leagues utilise Tag Rugby Shorts that use Velcro pads, rather than traditional Tag Rugby belts, creating a cleaner and safer game.

We have started up and are bring our brand of Tag Rugby to children. Check out our Juniors page for more info.

Although games are 40 minutes long, rolling substitutes are permitted, so you can come off the pitch for a breather as often – or as little – as you require. Plus, there’s so much going on, that you won’t even realise how much exercise you’ve done!

Of course not! We offer leagues at multiple different ability levels all over the country, varying from complete beginners who’ve never so much as looked at a rugby ball, right up to experienced players. Whether you’re a lifelong rugby player or a new starter, our Free Taster Sessions will help identify the perfect level for you.

Points are scored via tries, like in rugby. However, there’s no conversions in our game – tries are worth one point, so it’s easy to keep track of the score. In mixed games, female tries are worth double.

Tag Rugby games last around 40 minutes.

Tag Rugby can be played on pitches of varying sizes, with varying numbers of players per side. The number of players on the pitch for each league is always noted on our website.

The various formats we offer and male / female split for mixed leagues is as follows:
8-a-side – four males (maximum) and four females
7-a-side – four males (maximum) and three females
6-a-side – three males (maximum) and three females
5-a-side – three males (maximum) and two females

If you are short of males, you can have more females on pitch but not vice-versa.

Our Players Say

Supportive of new players

Have had a great experience playing Tag Rugby. The officials are helpful and supportive of new players, especially beginners and take the time to share and demonstrate any rules.

Tilly Taylor| Edinburgh

Fantastic people, great venues, good value

Try Tag Rugby is great. Fantastic people, great venues, good value sport and lots of fun. Well organised and good at putting the right people of the right level together.

Amelia Ross| London

Great for fitness & social

I joined Try Tag Rugby over a year ago and can honestly say it was a game changer from both a fitness & social perspective. In terms of the sport it’s perfect for all ability levels, even if you haven’t played any form of rugby before.

Craig Williams| West Yorkshire

Really glad I joined – give it a go!

Really well-organised league made up of friendly players of all abilities. Really glad I joined – give it a go!

Bradley Clayton| Brighton & Hove

Cannot recommend this enough!

Cannot recommend this enough! For me, tag has been an excellent way to keep fit and enjoy healthy competition in a team sport, that I can play with my wife! Has taken me back to my me schooldays, only now I’m a little slower.

Thomas Murphy| Bristol

Very welcoming atmosphere

Never played tag rugby before but it’s such good fun and the organisers are really helpful and nice. Very welcoming atmosphere and great to have a run around and meet some new people.

Connie Treanor| South Yorkshire

Great fun with a friendly group of people.

Great fun with a friendly group of people. Really good for fitness and making friends!

James Crowe| Thames Valley

It’s a great way to keep fit and active

It’s a great way to keep fit and active, develop some rugby skills and make new friends. The social side of Try Tag Rugby is great, whether it’s the weekly trip to the pub after the matches or a day/night out which is never dull! I would really recommend anyone coming down and giving it a go!

Debbie Calland| Wigan

Everyone has been super friendly

I went along to a taster session and have now joined the league. Everyone has been super friendly, the games are very fun. The league is also organised really well

Fraser Ballantyne| Edinburgh

I would highly recommend Try Tag Rugby

I would highly recommend Try Tag Rugby. Male or Female players who are looking to get into rugby regardless of ability, or just looking to expand their social circle. It’s a great hobby that keeps you active, helps you make great friends and is great fun. Joining Try Tag Rugby was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

Mark Atherton| Wigan

A brilliant sport with a brilliant crowd of people

A brilliant sport with a brilliant crowd of people. A great place to get fit and make friends. Suitable for all abilities – would highly recommend!

Anita Barton| West Yorkshire

Everyone should give tag rugby a go!

Everyone should give tag rugby a go! It’s so much fun, easy to get involved

Daniel Jackson| London

I’d recommend anyone

I’d recommend anyone with even the slightest interest in trying out rugby to come to one of the regular free taster sessions because it’s such a laugh with a great bunch of people!

Rosie Hewett| Thames Valley

Wednesday evenings are such a highlight of my week now.

Wednesday evenings are such a highlight of my week now. This has been such a great way of meeting a wonderful community of fun people. I played in a league in London and was soo happy that Steph has managed to bring it down to the coast. Such a great social and very welcoming. GET INVOLVED!

Ceri Clarke| Brighton & Hove

I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone

This league was super well organised and so much fun! I’d absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to have some fun, have a run around and make some friends.

Olivia Murray| Edinburgh

Friendly and super fun

Friendly and super fun league to be a part of. I’ve never played rugby before at any level, but really feel like I’m part of a team and have been given a platform to interact with sociable and sporty people, very well run!

Dominic Mills| South Yorkshire

The most fun and social sport around!

The most fun and social sport around!

Vicky James| Thames Valley

its great in terms of the sport and the social side.

I started tag rugby nearly four years ago and I haven’t looked back – its great in terms of the sport and the social side.

Zoe Cockburn| West Yorkshire

A good way to meet new people!

Went down having never played before and it was great fun! Welcoming bunch, rules/the game were easy to understand and felt wonderful to be running about having a laugh. A good way to meet new people!

Kati Hall| Brighton & Hove

I LOVE tag rugby!

I LOVE tag rugby! I started playing two years ago. I was looking for a team sport and was browsing through things in the area when an advert for Tag popped up and it really appealed to me because of the mixed team dynamic. I have been hooked since! It really doesn’t matter whether you have any rugby experience at all.

Catherine Darby| Manchester

The best use of my Wednesday nights

It is safe to say it’s the best use of my Wednesday nights and I love the community of players involved! It is a very open and social group who are all super friendly and involve everyone always, no newbies are left out!!!

Ewan Priscott| Thames Valley

It is so well organised

Have been playing tag here for almost a year now. It is so well organised and everyone who plays is lovely.

Casey Behringer| Edinburgh

Absolutely loved playing here

Absolutely loved playing here. I’d never tried tag before but I took to it from the start and have kept playing since. Everyone is so friendly and it’s such a sociable league.

Lauren Crouch| London

Amazing fun and suitable for all abilities

Amazing fun and suitable for all abilities. As someone who always enjoyed rugby but was not gifted physically it’s a great way to keep playing at stay fit. Kind and helpful staff too.

Adam Davis| South Yorkshire

Get down here and give it a try!

Brilliant fun. Get down here and give it a try!

Rhys Rhodes| Thames Valley

I don’t think I know anyone that has tried it and not enjoyed it.

Excellent. Went to a taster session a couple of years ago and been hooked ever since. Managed to get family and friends involved and set up our own team. I don’t think I know anyone that has tried it and not enjoyed it.

Carl Burgess| Wigan

Can’t recommend it enough

I keep coming back. Can’t beat the people or the socials. Can’t recommend it enough. Great for getting out of your Monday work head!

Cheryl Woodman| West Yorkshire

One of the best decisions ever

I can firmly say joining tag, despite never touching a rugby ball before in my life has been one of the best decisions ever! Playing with such lovely people and the promise of regular pub trips has really make tag the highlight of my week

Millie Lewis| Edinburgh

So relaxed, so social, and so fun!!!

So relaxed, so social, and so fun!!! I joined TTR after trying the free taster sessions and falling in love with it. I’d always felt a little intimidated by rugby, but was ensured that Tag Rugby would be a lot less contact-y and intimidated- and oh, wasn’t that so true!

Lauren| South Yorkshire

I would definitely recommend it to anyone

Having joined I’ve met some great people, got fitter and played in lots of exciting matches. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to meet some great people and prefers playing a game rather than just running around!

Martyn Bajkowski| Wigan

I couldn’t recommend it highly enough!

I couldn’t recommend it highly enough! Tag Rugby is a fantastic was to make new friends, get fit and learn new skills.

Sarah Tull| West Yorkshire

Very well organised

A very well organised comp and way too much fun! Don’t hesitate coming down for a run. Such a great community to be a part of!

Ryan Reid| Brighton & Hove

would recommend to anyone

It’s so great to be in a team working together and having fun! All the people I’ve met through Tag Rugby have been so nice and welcoming, and are my biggest cheerleaders

Imogen Young| Edinburgh

Fantastic fun and social sport

As someone who has been involved in all forms of Rugby; this is the future for its inclusiveness with opportunities for players, coaches and officials at all levels of experience.

Dwaine Robertson| Thames Valley

Everyone is welcome and included

Great opportunity to play a social team sport regardless of age or starting ability (you get better the more you play!). Friendly and enjoyable.

Alyson Haggerty| Wigan

Great Fun

Friendly, well organised! Highly recommend!

Joe Anderson-Cable| York

Great to meet people, keep fit and have fun

Great to meet people, keep fit and have fun

Jock Galbraith| Edinburgh

A great way of getting exercise while having fun

I first went to a taster session with zero experience of playing rugby but found everyone so welcoming and happy to help me learn.

Catherine Stone| Thames Valley

Latest News


Autumn Tournament London took place on Saturday 26th October 2024 in some mild autumn weather. Teams played in great spirit, embracing both the festival vibes and halloween fancy dress theme.



The UK Tag Nationals is back! The highest level domestic tag tournament in the country returns with an even better host venue (University of Nottingham)



Tagmas Tournaments in London

21st October 2024

Try Tag Rugby London is delighted to announce the return of our popular pre-Christmas tournament, Tagmas.



We are lucky to have Activate Training and Sports Therapy on site at the London Autumn Tournament



Acton Wasps FC was host to the London Women’s and Men’s tournament once again this year, following on from the success of last year’s tournament.



Newcastle’s well-known for its sport, friendly people, and a good time, so it’s no surprise that Try Tag Rugby has gotten off to a cracking start in the North East in 2024!



Great Britain claimed their first ever Cup win on Irish soil. The victory was the third time that Great Britain had prevailed in the competition overall and marked the first time that they had retained the Cup.



TagFest Coventry & Warwickshire has been a fixture in the calendar for five years now and this one was as competitive as ever!



The ‘Sunny South East’ lived up to its name on Saturday 20th July hosting the very first TagFest Brighton



As a reminder, from September last year, Try Tag Rugby London leagues moved to four seasons annually.



The 2024 international season got underway for Great Britain Tag Rugby on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July as the GB sides played host to South Africa at Reading RFC.



TagFest Wigan 2024 Review

10th July 2024

The Norths first TagFest of the year, TagFest Wigan, took place on Saturday 6th July at Wigan St Cuthbert’s ARLFC. It was once again an action packed day offering plenty of fun and entertainment throughout.



TagFest London 2024 took place at Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday 8th June with 103 teams from Britain, Ireland, and the Netherlands bringing the festival atmosphere from first kick-off to last orders.



The day after the northern lights swept across the night skies of the UK, we were treated to another breath-taking sight as 60 teams from UK plus Cork took part in the UK Tag Nationals.



TagFest Brighton has officially sold out with 24 teams ready to take to the pitch for the first ever tournament in Brighton on Saturday 20th July.



Try Tag Rugby are excited to announce the expansion of Vets leagues to six locations for the Early Summer 2024 season.



20 teams across a diverse range of industries took to the field for our 12th Corporate Challenge London, raising money for both Tag Sports CIC and other charities.



Try Tag Rugby’s Spring Tournament marked the return of major tournament action in London.



Four times world champion DJ Mr Switch will headline the entertainment at TagFest London 2024.



Results from 2024 Spring Leagues in London



Try Tag Rugby is excited to unveil its latest addition to its merchandise offering with the launch of a new range tailored specifically for women.



The Eagles Foundation, the non-profit arm of Sheffield Eagles Rugby League Club, has been awarded Try Tag Rugby’s South Yorkshire Licence. 



GBFT Men’s 50s Launch

28th March 2024

We are excited to announce the formation of the Great Britain Future Teams Programme (GBFT), which kicks off with the establishment of the GBFT Men’s 50s.



TagFest Series 2024

19th March 2024

We are pleased to announce registration for the TagFest Series our tournaments are all open for 2024.



Win a Free Team Kit

18th March 2024

Get your team looking sharp this summer by winning a free team kit!



Refer your friends and win!

15th March 2024

Get your friends to give Tag a try during the Early Summer Season and you could win a FREE season.



Great Britain Tag Rugby training squads announced as national sides embark on a brand new World Cup cycle



Try Tag Rugby Launches in York

21st February 2024

Try Tag Rugby is delighted to announce the launch of its York Licence and the opening of registration for its first ever York League.



Try Tag Rugby is thrilled to announce the expansion of its leagues to two exciting new regions in 2024: Newcastle and York.



Try Tag Rugby is delighted to announce the launch of its Newcastle Licence and the opening of registration for its first ever Newcastle League.



The Great Britain Tag Rugby teams are set for a new era after achieving their greatest set of World Cup results so far last summer! The road to the next World Cup starts now with registration open for trials ahead of two international engagements this summer.



Try Tag Rugby, a leading organisation in social sport, proudly announces the introduction of its pilot junior programme in Brighton & Hove this spring. After 15 years growing the game UK wide to the point where over 10,000 adults participated weekly last summer, the launch of Try Tag Rugby Juniors is an exciting development in the growth of Tag throughout the UK.



Survey 2023 Review Article

16th February 2024

Having had an extremely busy and productive start to 2024 as we embark on another exciting year of Tag Rugby, we wanted to reflect on the feedback we received from our annual survey in 2023.



Events Calendar 2024 Launched!

13th December 2023

After an exciting year of TTR tournaments that saw the return of the Men’s & Women’s Tournament, the biggest ever UK Tag Nationals, and an ever expanding UK wide TagFest series we are delighted to launch our full events calendar for 2024.



The inaugural Try Tag Rugby Vets league has concluded, marking a triumphant blend of on-field action and post-match camaraderie!



Following the initial coaching application window the second phase of the 2024 tournament – player nominations – is now open.



Try Tag Rugby’s Men’s & Women’s Tournament returned to action on Sunday as eight women’s and eight men’s teams met on the pitch at Wasps FC.



Tagmas Returns

8th November 2023

Try Tag Rugby London is delighted to announce the return of our popular pre-Christmas tournament, Tagmas.



A record 21 teams took to the field in the Manchester Autumn Tournament on Saturday 14th October at Trafford MV RFCC, with those taking to the field experiencing the Manchester weather at its most changeable



Record numbers join the fun

24th October 2023

More people, in more locations, getting active and having fun as Try Tag Rugby pass the milestone of over 10,000 weekly participants (40% female) during the summer.



A fantastic part time or full time opportunity to own your own business, doing something meaningful, that you can be passionate about.



Try Tag Rugby’s Autumn Tournament took place on Saturday 21st October, the largest Autumn Tournament in TTR history.



Great Britain Tag Rugby is looking for aspiring, innovative and passionate coaches and team managers to join the programme for the new World Cup cycle.



Are you an enthusiastic Try Tag Rugby player who wants to spread the joy of the game and potentially win a year of free tag in the process?



UK Tag Nationals 2024

12th October 2023

Following an extensive review of the 2023 UK Tag Nationals, and after careful collaboration across all Try Tag Rugby regions, the first phase of the 2024 tournament is today being launched!



Great Britain Tag Rugby and Oaklin’s year-long partnership has now concluded following the Tag World Cup.



The Inaugural Thames Valley Origin Series (Oxford vs Reading) will take place in October and November 2023 to see which side reigns supreme.



TagFest Edinburgh 2023 Review

11th September 2023

The first ever TagFest in Scotland took place on Saturday 2nd September where 24 teams from London, Yorkshire, Wigan, Bristol, Ireland and Edinburgh played under the shadow of Arthur’s Seat at Duddingston Playing Fields.



Try Tag Rugby are pleased to launch our first ever Vets League for over 40s. The league features innovative rules to get older players involved.



Try Tag Rugby is pleased to announce a new 6-a-side Men’s League taking place this autumn at our Olympic Park South venue in Stratford.



TagFest Yorkshire Review 2023

1st September 2023

Teams from Ireland, London, Reading, Manchester and Wigan travelled to compete against a large number of teams from Yorkshire on home soil.



Try Tag Rugby has made waves in its first summer in Brighton & Hove with nearly 150 people currently playing weekly in its mixed gender summer league.



Summer League results 2023

22nd August 2023

Results from the Summer Leagues in London, Yorkshire, Manchester and Sheffield.



Great Britain crowned World Champions in the Women’s 30s amongst their best ever medal haul at the ITF’s flagship event.



After five years and two postponements, the fourth iteration of the ITF Tag World Cup is finally here.



The national coaches have selected their final squads to play in this summer’s 2023 Tag World Cup.



We have opened registration for a special offer of £39 for the season. The offer is open to all women, including those yet to join a team & those looking to make the most of summer and pick-up an extra night.



Great Britain claimed one of the most comprehensive victories in the history of British & Irish Cup.



King’s House Sports Ground in Chiswick will host the 2023 British & Irish Cup this Saturday 24th June.



Teams have now been selected for the 2023 International Cup.



All the Early Summer League results for Try Tag Rugby Leagues in London, Manchester and Yorkshire.



TagFest London 2023 took place on Saturday 10th June with stunning weather setting the summer vibes for the day. 90 teams from across Britain and Ireland competed for medals over four separate divisions.



Players are invited to celebrate the success of the Early Summer Season on Hove Green.



Great Britain Tag Rugby are excited to unveil a brand new kit designed specifically for the 2023 Tag World Cup.



The fifth annual UK Tag Nationals took place on Saturday 20th May as a record number of Try Tag Rugby regions sent teams to battle it out to be crowned national champions.



Friday 12th May saw the return of the Yorkshire Corporate Challenge, a staple in the Yorkshire Tag calendar since 2016.



Richmond Athletics Ground in London is the venue this Saturday (20 May) for the annual UK Tag Nationals – and the Our League cameras will be there to stream all the action.



Following the initial months of 2023 Great Britain training the coaches have picked their teams to play in the British & Irish Cup on Saturday 24th June in Chiswick.



Try Tag Rugby and Tag Sports CIC are excited to launch a new partnership which will see the two organisations working together.



Two of the strongest community Rugby League clubs in London will go head-to-head at TagFest London this June 10th when Wests Warriors and London Chargers clash at Richmond Athletic Ground.



Try Tag Rugby is pleased to announce that we have joined Stonewalls Diversity Champions Programme.



In the 11th edition of Corporate Challenge London, teams battled it out to be crowned winners in four divisions and win money for charity.



Try Tag Rugby has renewed a partnership with Wolfpack Lager who will sponsor the Queen’s Park Early Summer and Summer Leagues.



Try Tag Rugby Coventry & Warwickshire are excited to be bringing Tag Rugby to the birthplace of Rugby this April.



All the Spring League results for Try Tag Rugby Leagues in London, Manchester and Yorkshire.



Spring review

4th April 2023

Try Tag Rugby’s Spring Tournament took place on Saturday 1st April with 94 teams battled it out for glory across four separate divisions.



TagFest Series 2023

31st March 2023

We are pleased to announce registration for the TagFest Series our tournaments are all open for 2023.



Try Tag Rugby Edinburgh will hold a Pub Quiz as an end of season social event.



Saturday 4th March saw the best of the North descend on Heaton Moor RUFC (Manchester) to compete in the first Northern & Scottish UKTN Regional Tournament.



Try Tag Rugby is delighted to announce it has awarded Clodagh Nic Lochlainn, the current owner of Try Tag Rugby Edinburgh North, the additional licence for Edinburgh South.



Great Britain Tag Rugby training squads announced for ITF Tag World Cup year.



Try Tag Rugby’s website, www.trytagrugby.com has undergone a redesign and has launched today (Thursday 16th March 2023).



Try Tag Rugby is delighted to announce the launch of its Brighton & Hove Licence and the opening of registration for its first ever Brighton & Hove League.



Try Tag Rugby is very excited to announce that we have awarded a licence for Try Tag Rugby Brighton & Hove.



Great Britain Tag Rugby are delighted to announce the addition of Women’s 35s team to the national programme.



Winter League results 2022/23

10th February 2023

All the Winter League results for London Try Tag Rugby Leagues.



Try Tag Rugby are delighted to announce the continuation of our partnership with PSS International Removals for another year – our referee sponsor and supporter.



Events Calendar 2023

6th February 2023

After a review into our tournament offerings, we are excited to launch our full events calendar for 2023 which has something for every section of our community nationwide.



Rule Changes

2nd February 2023

Try Tag Rugby is pleased to announce that we will be adopting the 2022 International Rulebook for all their leagues and tournaments commencing from the 2023 Spring season*.



Following feedback both directly and indirectly since last week’s launch of the 2023 UK Tag Nationals we wanted to take the opportunity to clarify certain decisions that were made about next year’s tournament and to update players on changes made to the nomination period.



Try Tag Rugby is committed to providing a positive and safe environment for all individuals at our leagues, events and socials.



Autumn Tournament 2022 Review

11th October 2022

Try Tag Rugby’s Autumn Tournament took place on Saturday 8th October with summer-like weather for the teams taking part. 



The UK Tag Nationals brings all the Try Tag Rugby regions together to battle it out for the title of UK Tag National Champions in four separate categories.



Since starting in March this year, Try Tag Rugby Edinburgh North, has taken the city of Edinburgh by storm.



British & Irish Cup Review 2022

12th September 2022

The 2022 British & Irish Cup took place over the weekend of 3rd and 4th of September at West Park Leeds RUFC with Ireland ultimately emerging winners in the closest contest in the tournament’s history.



British & Irish Cup 2022

1st September 2022

The 2022 British & Irish Cup takes place this coming weekend (3rd/4th September) at West Park Leeds RUFC as Great Britain and Ireland once again go head to head in the annual tournament.



Great Britain X OAKLIN

15th August 2022

Great Britain Tag Rugby is proud to announce a new partnership with Oaklin that will see the organisation join the programme as an associate partner through to the Tag World Cup 2023.



Five referees have been selected to represent Try Tag Rugby at the upcoming International Tag Series in Limerick.



Tag history was made on Saturday 16th July as 108 teams descended on King’s House Sports Ground, Chiswick for TagFest London 2022 – the largest, single-venue, Tag Rugby tournament ever to be staged in the northern hemisphere.



TagFest Bristol review

11th July 2022

Saturday 2nd July saw teams descend upon Lockleaze Sports Centre for a fun filled day of tag in Bristol.



After showcasing their talents for their regions at the UK Tag Nationals the focus for the best Tag players in the country now shifts to the International Tag Series, taking place on the 5-6th August in Limerick, Ireland.



Following the success of the Men’s 40s category at the recent UK Tag Nationals, Great Britain Tag Rugby are excited to announce the formation of a Great Britain Men’s 40s side.



The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) were crowned champions of the 10th edition of the London Corporate Challenge 2022!



For the first time ever the UK Tag Nationals took place outside of London with regional sides descending on West Park Leeds RUFC on Saturday 21st May.



The fourth Try Tag Rugby UK Tag Nationals will take place at West Park Leeds RUFC on Saturday 21st May 2022.



Try Tag Rugby’s Spring Tournament made a long awaited return on Saturday (2nd April) after not being able to run for the last two years.



With two international Tag Rugby tournaments on the horizon in 2022 we are pleased to announce the six Great Britain Elite Player Squads training this year.



Try Tag Rugby is delighted to announce the launch of Try Tag Rugby Edinburgh North and the first Try Tag Rugby League in Scotland. 



Players, referees, and staff took a chance to celebrate the year in style at the Try Tag Rugby London Christmas Party and Annual Awards.



Ireland have regained the British & Irish Cup defeating Great Britain in Limerick, Ireland.



Autumn Tournament 2021

4th October 2021

Try Tag Rugby’s Autumn Tournament made a long awaited return on Saturday (30th October) after missing out in 2020.



Try Tag Rugby’s International Cup made a long awaited return on Saturday (11th September) after missing out in 2020.