Bristol is one of those cities with two main clubs. In most cases, fans are either Bristol City or Bristol Rovers. Though in the 2020s it isn’t likely that you’ll see much elite silverware heading to Bristol, the city remains a proud footballing one where the game is at the heart of the community. Tens of thousands of people every single week flock to the stadiums to see either the red half or the blue half of Bristol playing. Bristol is home to two major professional football teams: Bristol City and Bristol Rovers. Bristol City play in the Championship and attract crowds of over 20,000 fans at Ashton Gate Stadium.¹ Bristol Rovers compete in League One and play their home games at the Memorial Stadium.⁶ The city also has women’s teams affiliated with both clubs, as well as a number of non-league and amateur football organisations.
| Club | Founded | League / Level | Home Ground | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol City F.C. | 1894 | EFL Championship | Ashton Gate Stadium | Largest club in Bristol by attendance; nicknamed 'The Robins'. |
| Bristol Rovers F.C. | 1883 | EFL League One | Memorial Stadium | Known as 'The Pirates' or 'The Gas'; long-standing rivals of Bristol City. |
| Bristol City W.F.C. | 1998 | Women's league system | Stoke Gifford Stadium | Originally linked to Bristol Rovers before becoming part of Bristol City. |
| Bristol Rovers Women | 2019 | Regional women's leagues | Lockleaze Sports Centre | Also known as the 'Gas Girls'; affiliated with Bristol Rovers. |
| Bristol Aztecs | 2010 | BAFA National Leagues | SGS College | American football team representing Bristol. |
| Bristol Manor Farm F.C. | 1960 | Southern League Division One | The Creek | One of Bristol’s most notable semi-professional clubs. |
| Clifton AFC | 1872 | Amateur / historic club | Various | One of the oldest football clubs in the Bristol area. |
Professional Football Clubs in Bristol
Bristol is home to two major professional football clubs. These teams play in the English football pyramid. Bristol City and Bristol Rovers share one of the most famous sporting rivalries in the region.
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is the largest football team in Bristol by attendance. Usually, over 20,000 people flock to the stadium on a matchday, and the club plays in the second tier of English football, the Championship.²
Bristol City Football Club was founded in 1894 and plays its home matches at Ashton Gate Stadium. Known as "The Robins" because of their red kit and crest, the club regularly attracts crowds of over 20,000 supporters and competes in the EFL Championship, the second tier of English football.
Bristol City are known for their iconic red kit, which has contributed to the nickname “The Robins,” as a robin also appears on their club crest. Their home games take place at Ashton Gate, but this wasn’t always the case, as they played at St. John’s Lane before this.
people flock to the Bristol City Stadium on matchday
The club was founded in 1894, when it competed in the Southern League and Western League before eventually joining the Football League in 1901.⁵ Throughout the early 1900s, Bristol City had ups and downs, including a loss in the 1909 FA Cup final. They were relegated to the Third Division South in the 1920s, and wouldn’t return to the top flight until the 1970s. In more recent history, Bristol City have been up and down throughout the football leagues, with some of their most recent wins being:
- They won the Football League Trophy in 2003, a competition that doesn’t include teams from the top two flights of English football
- They were promoted from League One in 2006-07 and again in 2014-15 after dropping out of the Championship.
1894
Bristol City Founded
The club was established and began competing in the Southern and Western leagues.
1906
Second Division Champions
Bristol City won the Football League Second Division and reached the top tier of English football.
1909
FA Cup Final Appearance
The club reached the FA Cup Final for the first time in its history.
2007
Promotion to the Championship
Bristol City secured promotion back to the second tier of English football.
2015
Championship Return
The Robins returned to the Championship after winning promotion from League One.
Currently, Bristol City are one of the longest-serving teams in the Championship, having been there for almost a decade. Many teams have been promoted and relegated in this time, but Bristol City have been something of a mainstay in the league. Bristol City don’t have many honours to their name, but they do have the Second Division title from 1905–06, as well as some other minor trophies.⁴ There aren’t as many trophies as we would see in some locations, such as London or even Birmingham's football clubs, but Bristol City's trophy cabinet certainly isn't empty.
People know all about the relationship between Bristol City and Bristol Rovers. These two Bristol football teams have a rivalry, and their matches are often fiercely contested. However, Bristol City also consider Cardiff City as rivals, and they contest the cross-border Severnside derby.
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers may not be a high-flying Premier League club like the Manchester football teams, but they are an immensely historic club, and it is worth delving into their history for those interested in football or even just Bristol's history.
Bristol Rovers Football Club competes in League One, the third tier in England, so they’re lower in the pyramid when compared to Bristol City (at the moment). The club's nickname is "The Pirates" because the city has a piratical history. In the modern age, people commonly call the club "The Gas" because, when they played at Eastville Stadium, there was a gasworks next door. Now, they play at the Memorial Stadium (formerly known as the Memorial Ground).¹⁰
Bristol Rovers Football Club was founded in 1883 and plays at the Memorial Stadium in Bristol. Known as "The Pirates" and commonly called "The Gas," the club currently competes in EFL League One, the third tier of English football.
Football clubs have some interesting names. British football clubs are famous for it, and London clubs, for instance, need to differentiate themselves. One of the most unusual names was Bristol Rovers' original name, the Black Arabs.
In September 1883, five young men founded the club and named it after the black shirts worn by players at a rugby club known as the Arabs in the area.⁹ The Black Arabs were born, quickly getting a nickname of 'The Purdown Poachers’.
1883
Club Founded as Black Arabs
Five young men established the club in Bristol, naming it after the black shirts worn by a local rugby team known as the Arabs.
1884
Renamed Eastville Rovers
The club adopted the name Eastville Rovers shortly after its formation.
1897
Became Bristol Rovers
The club adopted the name Bristol Rovers when it moved toward professionalism.
1953
Third Division Champions
Rovers won the Third Division title during the 1952–53 season.
1990
Third Division Title
The club secured another Third Division championship in the 1989–90 season.
The club changed its name again, becoming Eastville Rovers in 1884-85, but when they eventually went professional, they took the name Bristol Rovers. They’ve been Bristol Rovers for over 130 years now! Rovers do have some honours, though, especially at lower levels. They won the third division in 1952–53, and again in 1989–90. Like some Scottish and Welsh clubs, they also compete in more regional locations. They have won the Gloucestershire Cup on so many occasions!
Bristol Rovers have won the Gloucestershire Cup on 32 different occasions, most recently in 1995.
Women's Football in Bristol
As in many football hubs in the UK, women's football has grown significantly in the past few decades. Both of the city's professional clubs now support women's teams. They play in organised leagues and competitions, helping promote the development of women's football and providing opportunities for players.
Bristol City W.F.C.
Like so many other teams now, Bristol City has an affiliated women’s team. This team has been on an unusual journey, though. The team was founded in 1998 as the result of a merger between a Bristol Rovers girls team and the Welsh side Calbe-Tel. The Welsh team had a senior squad, which gave women a way to progress into adult football after playing for Bristol Rovers’ youth team.
Bristol City jumped between grounds in the early years. They’ve played at grounds including:
- Lodge Road (home of Yate Town)
- Cossham Street (Mangotsfield United)
- The Memorial Stadium (Bristol Rovers)
- Fry's Sports Ground in Keynsham
- The Hand Stadium (Clevedon Town)
Eventually, they would have their own home ground built at Stoke Gifford Stadium on the grounds of South Gloucestershire and Stroud College. In 2013, amid some financial issues, the team (then known as Bristol Rovers W.F.C.) signed a sponsorship deal with Bristol City FC and changed their kit to the iconic red. It was three years later that they changed their name to Bristol City Women's Football Club.
In 2013, amid some financing issues, the team (then called Bristol Rovers W.F.C.) signed a sponsorship deal with Bristol City FC and changed their kit to the iconic red. It was three years later that they changed their name to Bristol City Women's Football Club.
Bristol Rovers Women
Bristol Rovers Women, also known as the Gas Girls, are another part of the Bristol Rovers Football Club family. The story is unusual, as the team formerly known as Bristol Rovers became Bristol City Women. Fourteen years after Bristol Rovers Women became Bristol City Women, a new team was launched. Initially, they played in the Gloucestershire County Women's Football League. They haven't been able to play up against some of the bigger teams from London or elsewhere just yet. The team plays its home matches at Lockleaze Sports Centre.
The Gas Girls' kit proudly features the traditional blue-and-white quarters, mirroring the iconic design worn by the men's team. Even if the club is not huge, the blue-and-white quarters are instantly recognisable.
In terms of honours, Bristol Rovers Women have achieved notable success since their reformation.
The team won the Gloucestershire County Women's League in the 2019-2020 season. In 2023/24, they finished top of the South West Regional League.
The club have worked on community issues and won 'Best Community Football Development Initiative Award' at the 2020 FA Women's & Girls Football Awards. The women’s club explains its four key values (Community, Education, Participation & Performance). The club has also had a community partnership with Bristol Pride and created a special shirt in conjunction with the organisation.
Non-League and Amateur Football in Bristol
While Bristol City and Bristol Rovers are the city's famous professional teams, there are also non-league and amateur football clubs. These clubs provide opportunities for players of all ages and levels to participate in football. From grassroots leagues to competitions in public parks, Bristol's tradition of community-based football is alive and well.
Bristol Aztecs
While technically a football team, the Bristol Aztecs are the city's American football team. They compete in the British American Football Association league. It mightn't be football as it's known in the UK, but the Aztecs are worth mentioning as they contribute to the broader sporting culture in this great city.
Bristol and District Football League
The Bristol and District Football League is the region's major amateur football league. Here, numerous clubs compete across multiple divisions, providing structured competition for grassroots football teams. Many local players play here before moving on to higher levels of the game.
Bristol Downs Association Football League
The Bristol Downs Association Football League is a distinctive amateur football league. Founded in 1905, this league stages all its matches on the Bristol Downs, a large public green space in the city.⁸ It's a key part of Bristol's football heritage.
Football Culture in Bristol
Bristol has a huge football heritage. Clubs across the UK, from Edinburgh's football scene to the South Coast, instantly recognise Bristol's clubs. The city sits close to Wales and even shares derby rivalries with Welsh clubs.
Rivalries and Derbies
People know all about the relationship between Bristol City and Bristol Rovers. These two Bristol football teams have a rivalry, and their matches are often fiercely contested. However, Bristol City also consider Cardiff City as rivals, and they contest the cross-border Severnside derby. North of the border in Scotland, Glasgow Celtic and Rangers are hugely decorated clubs (not something that Bristol Rovers can boast complete with a fiercely unmatched rivalry.
Fan Engagement and Community Involvement
Bristol may sometimes be forgotten about in the footballing world. Bristol Manor Farm F.C. is one of several semi-professional or amateur teams in Bristol, and there are plenty of ways to get involved with other football clubs. If you are a football enthusiast, there are also a lot of different facilities where you can play and train in Bristol.
References
- “Ashton Gate – Bristol City.” The Stadium Guide. https://www.stadiumguide.com/ashtongate/. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
- “Ashton Gate Stadium.” StadiumDB. https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/ashton_gate. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
- “Ashton Gate Stadium: History, Facts & Visitor Guide.” Stadium Insight. https://stadiuminsight.com/ashton-gate-stadium/. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
- “Bristol City – Club Achievements.” Transfermarkt. https://www.transfermarkt.us/bristol-city/erfolge/verein/698. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
- “Bristol City FC.” Soccer History. https://www.soccerhistory.co.uk/bristol-city-fc. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
- “Bristol Memorial Stadium.” StadiumDB. https://stadiumdb.com/stadiums/eng/bristol_memorial_stadium. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
- “Bristol Rovers – Stadium.” Transfermarkt. https://www.transfermarkt.com/bristol-rovers/stadion/verein/2455. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
- Horsford, Simon. “The Bristol Downs League.” The Bristol Magazine. https://thebristolmag.co.uk/the-bristol-downs-league-simon-horsford/. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
- “History.” Bristol Rovers FC. https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/club/history. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
- “The Memorial Stadium.” Bristol Rovers FC. https://www.bristolrovers.co.uk/memorial-stadium. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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