In short
For a stag do in London built around live sport, book a London Lions basketball game at the Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. It's two hours of fast, loud professional sport with bars inside, and Hackney Wick's breweries and restaurants are a few minutes away. Add an activity in the park beforehand, and check the arena's bag and drinks rules.
Stag dos have a reputation, but most grooms want something simpler: a good day with their friends, something to talk about and a decent meal. Live sport is one of the most reliable foundations for that. It gives the group a shared focus, a natural start and end, and plenty of excitement. This guide covers how to plan a stag do in London, why live basketball works as the centrepiece, and how to fill the rest of the day.
Planning a stag do in London
Who's coming?
Stag groups often mix school friends, work colleagues, brothers and fathers. A plan that works for the whole group is better than one that suits only the loudest few. Ask the groom what he'd enjoy most.
Agree the budget
Set a per-person budget early and share it. It makes it easier for everyone to commit, and avoids surprises.
Keep it local
Choosing one area saves time and keeps the group together. Stratford and Hackney Wick in east London have live sport, activities, food and drink within walking distance.
Live sport as the centrepiece
Live sport is a natural fit for a stag do, and basketball is one of the most exciting sports to watch live:
- It's fast. Teams have 24 seconds to shoot, so the score changes constantly.
- It's close to the action. The Copper Box holds around 6,000 people, and the seating wraps closely around the court.
- It's loud. A home crowd, music and a pre-show make it feel like an event.
- It fits the day. Doors open 60 minutes before tip-off, and the whole game takes around two hours.
- It works for everyone. You don't need to be a basketball fan, and non-drinkers are included.
London Lions play in Super League Basketball, Great Britain's top men's league, and in European competition in the EuroCup. A European night against a continental club adds an extra edge.
Booking seats together
For smaller groups, book seats together on Ticketmaster through the London Lions tickets page. For larger groups, email the club at ticketing@thelondonlions.com with your preferred game, numbers and any access needs. Our Group Celebrations page explains group bookings in more detail.
Courtside for the groom
Courtside seats put you on the floor at the edge of the court, close enough to hear the players and coaches. They're priced higher than other areas, so many groups book courtside for the groom and best man, with the rest of the group nearby.
Activity ideas
Active options
- Lee Valley VeloPark: track cycling, BMX or mountain biking in a 2012 Olympic venue
- ArcelorMittal Orbit: viewing platforms over east London and a tunnel slide
- A pick-up game: book a court or find an outdoor court and play your own basketball before watching the professionals
Food-led options
- A brewery or taproom visit in Hackney Wick
- Street food at Hackney Bridge
- A group table at Westfield Stratford City
A sample stag day
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Late morning | Meet at Stratford, then an activity at Lee Valley VeloPark or the ArcelorMittal Orbit |
| Lunch | Street food at Hackney Bridge |
| Afternoon | A brewery or a canal walk in Hackney Wick |
| Evening | A London Lions game at the Copper Box |
| After the game | Dinner and drinks in Hackney Wick |
Most men's home games are in the evening, with some on weekend afternoons. Most are at the Copper Box Arena, but some are played at NCC Hackney, so always check the venue on the fixture list and your ticket before you travel. For an afternoon game, swap the order and move the activity to the morning.
Food and drink near the arena
The Copper Box sits between two of east London's best areas for food and drink. Hackney Wick, on the west side of the park, has canal-side bars, breweries and independent restaurants in converted warehouses. Westfield Stratford City, on the east side, has a wide choice of restaurants and bars under one roof. Inside the arena, food and drink are on sale at bars and kiosks, and the arena is cashless.
Practical tips
Arena rules for groups
- Bags must be roughly A4 size or smaller, and every bag is searched. There's no bag storage.
- Outside food and drink, including alcohol, aren't allowed into the arena.
- The arena is cashless, so make sure everyone has a card or phone to pay.
- Fancy dress is welcome, so feel free to plan costumes for the group. Leave large props at your accommodation, because bags are searched and there is no bag storage.
Getting everyone there
Choose one meeting point, such as Stratford station, so guests arriving from different places can find each other. Hackney Wick station is about five minutes' walk from the arena, and Stratford about 15 minutes on foot. There's no general parking. Our guide to getting to the Copper Box Arena covers every route, and the arena's own travel page lists cycle racks and parking nearby.
Splitting the cost
Agree up front who books and how everyone pays them back. Only the person who bought the tickets can collect them from the box office, with photo ID and the card used to pay.
A tip for the best man
Book the game first. Once you know the tip-off time, plan activities and restaurant bookings around it.
Planning the bride's side too? See our guide to hen do ideas in London.
Stag do ideas by group
| Group | Idea |
|---|---|
| Sports fans | A European night at the Copper Box, with courtside seats for the groom |
| Active group | Track cycling or BMX at Lee Valley VeloPark, then a game |
| Mixed ages and family | A weekend afternoon game and an early dinner |
| Food and drink lovers | A brewery visit and street food in Hackney Wick, then an evening game |
Keeping it fair
Agree the budget early and let guests opt in or out of the more expensive parts of the day. Upper-tier seats at a game give a full view of the court and are usually the lowest-priced option. Keep part of the day alcohol-free, so every guest feels included.
A weekend stag in east London
Stay in Stratford or central London. Spend Saturday on an activity and a game, and Sunday on a late breakfast and a walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park before heading home. Everything is within walking distance or a short train ride.
Getting the details right
Accessibility
The Copper Box is a registered accessible venue with accessible toilets and changing rooms. Wheelchair and ambulant tickets come with a free companion ticket, so guests with access needs can sit with the group. Mention access needs in your first email to the club.
Timings for the group
Send guests a simple timetable a week before: the meeting point, the doors-open time (60 minutes before tip-off), any activity bookings, the restaurant and the plan for getting home. Stratford has the most lines and the most frequent services after a game, and some Underground lines, including the Central and Jubilee lines, run a Night Tube service on Friday and Saturday nights.
A final checklist for the best man
- Tickets booked and shared with guests
- Activity and restaurant bookings confirmed around the tip-off time
- Arena rules shared: small bags only, no outside drinks, cashless
- A meeting point and a plan for getting home
- A budget everyone has agreed to
Most importantly, plan the day around the groom. Ask him early what he'd enjoy and what he'd rather avoid, and build the day around his answers. A stag do that reflects his interests, with live sport, good food and good company, is the one guests talk about for years.
Frequently asked questions
What are good stag do ideas in London?
Good stag do ideas include live sport, active options such as track cycling or BMX at Lee Valley VeloPark, brewery visits and street food. A London Lions basketball game at the Copper Box makes a strong centrepiece, with Hackney Wick nearby for dinner and drinks.
Is a basketball game a good stag do activity?
Yes. A game is fast, loud and easy to follow, lasts around two hours and gives the whole group a shared experience. It works for non-drinkers too, and leaves the evening free for food and drinks nearby.
Can a stag group book seats together?
Yes. Smaller groups can book seats together on Ticketmaster through the London Lions tickets page. Larger groups can email ticketing@thelondonlions.com with the game, numbers and any access needs.
Can we bring our own drinks into the Copper Box?
No. Outside food and drink, including alcohol, aren't allowed, and bags must be roughly A4 size or smaller. Drinks are on sale at bars inside the arena, which is cashless.
What else is there to do near the Copper Box for a stag group?
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has Lee Valley VeloPark, the ArcelorMittal Orbit and plenty of open space. Hackney Wick has canal-side bars, breweries and restaurants, and Westfield Stratford City has group dining options.
For anything else, see the London Lions FAQs.
Sources and references
- London Lions — Tickets (including group bookings)
- London Lions — Frequently asked questions
- Copper Box Arena — Find us
- Copper Box Arena — Accessibility information
- Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park — Plan your visit
This article was checked against the sources above. Fixtures, prices and venue arrangements can change, so always check the latest details on the London Lions website before you travel.