KIA OVAL, LONDON 16th may 2025

It’s a landmark occasion!

Sports Podge is the invitation only annual lunch that celebrates the passion, personalities and friendships that are forged through sport. This year, we’re celebrating our 20th anniversary and to honour the occasion, we’ve formed our very own rugby club, Sports Podge RFC ahead of a summer of exhilarating Rugby action. 

300 of the great and the good from the world of Sport will be part of the formation for the day, where they will tackle a slap-up lunch, hear inspirational stories, meet interesting folk and possibly find themselves propping up the bar with a legend or two come evening. 

Podge is like social networking but with living, breathing human beings. It’s about expanding horizons, contact books and possibly a waistband or two, and our all-inclusive ticket ensures a great afternoon and evening of fabulous food and a bar that never runs dry.  

If you haven’t Podged before but think you may be missing out, lets connect! Equally, if you think you can add value to this fabulous community and would like to find out more about our Podge Partnerships, we are always open to conversations. 

Get in touch

Match day

Location map, the Kia Oval
Lunch
  • Warm Up

    Sparkling wine reception on arrival

  • First half

    Roasted beetroot, whipped goats curd, black garlic and balsamic emulsion, with a pickled fennel and orange salad
    (VE, NGCI)

  • Second half

    Roasted corn-fed chicken, confit chicken, lardons and truffled mushroom tart, purple sprouting broccoli finished with a red wine jus

    Newlyn day boat hake, salted pea and lemon emulsion, cider pickled onions finished with a soubise sauce
    (NGCI)

    Tunworth and potato pithivier with stuffed salt baked onions, turnip purée and a black garlic soubise sauce
    (V)

  • Stoppage time

    Deconstructed spiced apple and rhubarb clafoutis with rhubarb jam and ginger ice cream
    (VE)

  • Post-Match

    Bacon butties (plus vegetarian alternatives) served in the bar at 6pm

  • match highlights

    A selection of red and white wine, beer and non-alcoholic drinks served throughout the day

Shirts lineup on hangers, date 16/05/2025

Lineup

We’ve assembled a team of the best talent for this memorable occasion. Join us and see who you’ll be packing down with.

    Supporters

    the partners propping up
    sports podge 2025

    Game Changers

    • Wooden Spoon

      Transforming Children and Young Peoples Lives Through the power of the Rugby Community. Wooden spoon are a grant-making charity and fund life-changing projects across the UK & Ireland.

      Find out more at: https://woodenspoon.org.uk

    • dallaglio rugby works

      Using Rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship to equip young people that are excluded from education, with the life skills and attitudes they need to move into sustained Education, Employment or Training after school.

      Find out more at: https://www.dallagliorugbyworks.com

    • rugby for heroes

      Providing financial and personal support to servicemen and women to help them make the transition from military service back into civilian life. This includes designated transition courses using the sport of Rugby as a means to assist with this transition process as well as providing financial support to individuals by way of a formal grant application process.

      Find out more at: https://rugbyforheroes.org.uk

    • the atlas foundation

      Atlas harnesses rugby’s core values to drive sustainable development initiatives and improve the lives of children living in extreme poverty worldwide. Using rugby to mobilise health, education and inclusion for children across the world. 

      Find out more at: https://theatlascharity.org

    JOIN THE SCRUM FOR THE SPORTS PODGE 20TH ANNIVERSARY
    Sports Podge RFC tickets