The Kings Cross Steelers RFC, the world's first gay and LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby club, proudly launches its 30th anniversary campaign Steelers 30, celebrating three decades of breaking ground, championing progress, pioneering inclusivity within the sport and transforming the face of rugby for LGBTQ+ players around the world.

Kicking off this landmark season, the Kings Cross Steelers are proud to announce the expansion of long-standing partnerships with UBS, McGill & Partners, and The Two Brewers (Stonegate Pub Group), whose continued support reflects a shared commitment to inclusivity, community, and progress in rugby.

“We are delighted to continue supporting inclusive rugby through our sponsorship of the Steelers - recognizing and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, both at UBS and further afield.” Beatriz Martin / Member of the Group Executive Board, President UBS EMEA and UK CEO, UBS Group AG

To mark the start of the new rugby season, the Kings Cross Steelers unveiled a special edition kit. Designed in partnership with Halbro, the original manufacturer of the club’s first-ever kit in 1995, the new strip pays tribute to the original team’s iconic design, blending heritage details with a modern fit. Featuring the logos of club sponsors UBS, McGill & Partners, and Two Brewers.

“For three decades, the Kings Cross Steelers have shown that rugby is about far more than the game itself. It’s about inclusion, community, and courage. As proud partners, we’re honoured to celebrate this milestone with them, recognising their pioneering spirit in breaking barriers, inspiring generations, and proving that difference is a true strength. We’re excited to support them as they embark on the next chapter of their journey.” Karen Bigwood CMO, McGill & Partners

Coinciding with the 2025/26 season opener, the club marks this milestone with a year long campaign spotlighting 30 powerful stories — from founding members and current players to alumni, supporters, and sponsors. These stories will celebrate a club that, over the past 30 years, has defied prejudice, broken down barriers, and created a space for thousands who had previously felt excluded from mainstream sport. Lord Robert Hayward, the first ever chairman of the Kings Cross Steelers said the following:

"I am immensely proud to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the world’s first gay rugby club. This remarkable milestone is more than just a tribute to sporting excellence, it stands as a powerful symbol of determination, inclusion, and progress. Thirty years ago, founding such a club was a positive act to achieve progress, and that legacy of the club stretches far beyond the rugby pitch." Lord Robert Hayward, OBE

To celebrate Steelers 30, the club has announced a series of tentpole events, culminating at the end of the season with a Gala Dinner to celebrate the club’s legacy and future. During the 2025/ 2026 season, the Kings Cross Steelers will continue their inclusion partnership with Harlequins RFC.

“This 30th anniversary season is not only a celebration of our past, it’s a statement about who we are and where we’re going. Since the Club was founded in 1995, the Steelers’ journey has been nothing short of remarkable. As we launch Steelers 30, we honour the trailblazers who brought us here while looking ahead with pride, purpose and ambition. The special edition 30th anniversary kit pays tribute to the Club’s first ever kit, reimagined for today’s players as a powerful reminder of how far we’ve come and how much further we can go.” Richard Freeman, President, Kings Cross Steelers RFC

To fuel the next chapter of The Kings Cross Steelers journey, the club launches their “30 for 30” sponsorship initiative, offering individuals and organisations the chance to sponsor the club, as the Steelers embark on their journey to Brisbane, Australia, in 2026, to compete in the Bingham Cup, the world's largest inclusive rugby tournament. Sponsorship packages start from £500.

For information about the Kings Cross Steelers, images, video or case studies please contact marketing@kxsrfc.com

About Kings Cross Steelers RFC

Founded in 1995, the Kings Cross Steelers RFC is the world’s first gay and LGBTQ+ inclusive rugby club.

Over the past three decades, the Steelers have grown into one of the largest inclusive rugby clubs in the world, with four competitive teams and 150+ active members, welcoming players of all abilities, backgrounds, and identities. Their groundbreaking work inspired the formation of International Gay Rugby (IGR), a global movement now uniting over 140 inclusive clubs across six continents.

The Steelers first and second teams both compete in Essex RFU leagues.

In 2022, the Steelers won the Bingham Cup (the first ever world championship of gay and inclusive rugby), and have regularly competed at the highest levels of IGR competition. In 2020, they were the subject of the acclaimed documentary Steelers: The World’s First Gay Rugby Club, which spotlighted their impact on sport and culture worldwide.

Now celebrating their 30th anniversary, the Kings Cross Steelers continue to champion visibility, inclusivity, and community in rugby – proving that the game is truly for everyone.