Sport in Plymouth, Devon, England, dates back to the 19th century with its first club, Plymouth United F.C., being founded in 1886. It is the largest city in England never to have had a football team in the first tier of English football. It is home to Plymouth Argyle Football Club, who play in the Football League One (third tier of English football) at the Home Park stadium in Central Park. It is Plymouth's only professional football team, however the city used to have another team called Plymouth United F.C. dating back to 1886. The club takes its nickname from the group of English non-conformists that left Plymouth for the New World in 1620: the club crest features the Mayflower, which carried the Pilgrims to Massachusetts and the club's mascot is named Pilgrim Pete.
The city is also home to clubs in nearly all sports, notably Plymouth Albion R.F.C. and both Plymouth City Patriots and Plymouth Raiders basketball clubs. Plymouth Albion Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club that was founded in 1921 and are currently in the third tier of Professional English Rugby National League 1 They play at The Brickfields. Plymouth Raiders play in the top tier of British Bastketball, the British Basketball League. They play at the Plymouth Pavilions, along with many other sports clubs and were founded in 1983. Plymouth Gladiators are a speedway team in the British National League. Their meets are held at the Plymouth Coliseum. Plymouth is also home to the American Football club the Plymouth Blitz. Plymouth is also home to diver Tom Daley.
Team sports
Plymouth Argyle play professional football in the EFL Championship. The club is based at the Home Park stadium in Central Park. Other football teams in the city include Plymouth Parkway F.C., a Non-League football club who play at Bolitho Park, and Elburton Villa F.C., a Non-League football club who play at Haye Road. Signal Box Oak Villa F.C., who play in the Plymouth and West Devon Football League, who play at Ferndale Road.
Plymouth Albion play professional Rugby Union currently competing in the third tier of Professional English Rugby the National League 1. They play their home games at The Brickfields. Other semi-professional and amateur clubs include armed forces team Devonport Services who play in the Tribute Western Counties West (tier 7), Plymstock Albion Oaks and Plymouth Argaum, both of whom play in Tribute Cornwall/Devon (tier 8). Additionally there are also many junior rugby union clubs playing in regional, Devon and Plymouth Combination leagues.
Plymouth Titans play in the Rugby League Conference South West Division.
Plymouth City Patriots represent Plymouth in the British Basketball League. Formed in 2021, they replaced the former professional club, Plymouth Raiders, after the latter team were withdrawn from competition due to venue issues. Raiders later reformed in 2023 and currently compete in the National Basketball League.
Plymouth Gladiators are a speedway team who reformed in 2006 after closing in 1970. The club are members of British National League, with home meetings taking place at the Plymouth Coliseum. The first track in Plymouth was located at the Pennycross Stadium in the Pennycross area and this operated both sides of WWII. The site was redeveloped for a school. Another Motoring event in the city is The Plymouth-Banjul Challenge is an annual car rally for charity, similar to the Dakar Rally.
Plymouth Cricket Club has teams at all levels. it was threatened with eviction from its home at Peverell Park. Other cricket clubs are at Plympton and Plymstock.
Plymouth Blitz are University of Plymouth American football team who compete in the British American Football League.
Plymouth Mariners adult baseball club play in the newly formed independent South West Baseball League alongside the Torbay Barons, Bristol Bats and the Exeter Spitfires. They play all their home games at Wilson Field in Central Park, Plymouth.
Among the several hockey clubs in the city is Plymouth Marjon Hockey Club, one of the South West of England's largest and most successful hockey clubs, which is also based at UCP Marjon. Other prominent clubs include PGSOB, Devonport Services, OPM, Mannamead Ladies and Plym Valley Ladies.
Plymouth and District Netball League is one of the biggest and most competitive in the country with junior and senior sections. Lacrosse is also enjoying a revival particularly among university students.