National Sports Open Weekend - 18th and 19th July
Get Ready For The Team England National Sports Weekend across Islington
Save the date: 18th and 19th July 2026
Come and join us in partnership with Team England across Islington for a weekend filled with free sports and fun family activities for everyone to enjoy.
Ready to unleash your sporting spirit? Members and non-member can jump in and experience the excitement of Commonwealth Games-inspired sports and activities.
Whether you're a seasoned gym-goer or just curious to try something new, there’s something for everyone across Archway Leisure Centre, Cally Pool & Gym, Highbury Leisure Centre, Ironmonger Row Baths, Islington Tennis Centre & Gym, and Sobell Leisure Centre.
What’s on across Islington?
| Centre | Activity | Day | Time |
| Sobell Leisure Centre | Mini Health Checks | Saturday | 10am-3pm |
| Pickleball Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 10am-11am | |
| Badminton Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 11.30am-12.30pm | |
| Adult & Junior Gym Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 1pm-2.30pm | |
| Gym Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 3pm-4.30pm | |
| Gymnastics Taster (age 4+) | Saturday | 2pm-3pm | |
| Highbury Leisure Centre | Gym Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 1pm-3pm |
| Adult & Junior Gym Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 2pm-4pm | |
| Swim School and Water Safety Taster (age 4+) | Saturday | 12.15pm-12.45pm | |
| Archway Leisure Centre | Family Fun Swim (standard pricing) | Saturday & Sunday | Various |
| Cally Pool & Gym | Gym Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 10am-12pm |
| Adult & Junior Gym Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 1pm-4pm | |
| Kids Swim for £1 | Sunday | 9am-10am | |
| Islington Tennis Centre & Gym | Junior Tennis Taster | Saturday | 10am-11am |
| Pickleball Taster | Saturday | 3pm-5pm | |
| Gym Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 10am-4pm | |
| Ironmonger Row Baths | Gym Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 11am-6pm |
| Adult & Junior Gym Taster | Saturday & Sunday | 11am-6pm | |
| Finsbury Leisure Centre | Pickleball Taster | Sunday | 1-4pm |
| Badminton Taster | Sunday | 1-4pm | |
| Table Tennis Taster | Sunday | 1-4pm |
How to book
Create a free account via the Better UK App or website, then book your chosen activity under the “Open Weekend” tab.
What to expect
Open Day Gym Taster Session
Description: Kickstart your fitness journey with a free trial of the gym. Staff will be on hand to demonstrate machines and advise on the best ways to achieve your fitness goals.
Open Day Adult & Junior Gym Taster Session
Description: Kickstart yours and your child’s fitness journey with a free trial of the gym. Staff will be on hand to demonstrate machines and advise on the best ways to achieve your fitness goals.
Open Day Social Pickleball - Adults
Description: Try our social pickleball sessions, a fun way to stay active and meet new people. With its easy-to-learn rules and sociable pace, pickleball is perfect for all ages and abilities. Come along and discover why it’s one of the fastest-growing sports around! Equipment will be provided, 16+ Years.
Junior Tennis Taster Sessions
Our junior tennis taster sessions are the perfect opportunity for children to pick up a racket and give tennis a try. Delivered by our experienced coaching team, the sessions will include fun games, skill-based activities and an introduction to the fundamentals of tennis.
Swim School and Water Safety Taster Session
Description: Jump into safety and confidence— Join us for your child's initial assessment in joining our Swim School and get an introduction to water safety ahead of summer for free! Suitable for 4 years and above, for those just starting out on their learn to swim journey
Gymnastics - Juniors
Description: Rise Gymnastics Explore sessions have been design based around the three Gymnastics strands Core Skills, Apparatus and Working Together. Each strand has four levels which the gymnast can progress independently. General sportswear is required. 4 Years – 16 Years.
Social Badminton - Adults
Description: Our Adult social badminton sessions are a great way to have fun and stay healthy whilst making new friends. Whether you’re picking up a racket for the first time or just looking for a casual hit, social badminton is the perfect way to stay active and connected. Equipment will be provided, 16+ Years.
Social Table Tennis - Adults
Our Adult Social Table Tennis sessions are a great way to have fun, stay active, and meet new people. Whether you're new to the game or just looking for a casual hit, these friendly sessions are suitable for all abilities. Equipment provided. 16+ Years.
What to bring
Please come prepared for your activity by wearing suitable workout clothing and footwear. We also recommend bringing a water bottle and a towel to stay refreshed and comfortable. For swimming sessions, you can find our guide to appropriate swimwear at the link below.
Health information
When booking, please ensure that any relevant medical conditions, injuries or health concerns are disclosed so that our team can provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.