New to Hamburg? Here’s an unexpected hack for building a social life fast: Rugby!
On Friday nights at Hamburg’s Stadtpark, you might see an unusual line-up: a businessman from Madrid, a student from Tokyo, and a web designer from Cape Town, all running around the rugby pitch before enjoying grilled food and cold beers together.
For many of these players, rugby isn’t just a sport; it’s a way of finding their feet, building lasting bonds, and making Hamburg feel like home.
At HAVENS LIVING, we understand how important this is. We provide fully furnished, short-term apartments in Hamburg that serve as a home base for newcomers, particularly international professionals, looking to make a fresh start. We also believe that settling in involves more than just finding a great apartment. It takes a top-notch community, too.
Photo: Simon Drcar
Building Tradition Through Rugby
Founded in 1966 by a group of passionate rugby players and enthusiasts, the Hamburg Exiles Rugby Football Club has been proudly taking to the field ever since. The club was established in response to the ‘foreigner rule’, which restricted the number of non-Germans allowed to play on a team to two.
What started as a response to these restrictions has evolved into a club centred on a shared passion for diversity and connection, becoming an integral part of Hamburg’s social fabric.
Fast-forward to 2025, and this tradition is stronger than ever. With players and members hailing from all corners of the globe, including Ireland, Italy, South Africa, and Spain, the Exiles are much more than just a rugby team — they are a thriving meeting point for Hamburg’s international community.
Sponsoring the Hamburg Exiles means more than just having our name on their jerseys. The Exiles embody what we offer: a welcoming home for expats in Hamburg, where a strong sense of community is as important as finding a great apartment. Many of our residents initially stay for a year or two, often feeling unsure about where to begin. We are happy to help people connect and have fun.
Photo: Simon Drcar
HAVENS LIVING – A Home Base for newcomers in Hamburg
Moving to a new country can be daunting. That’s why our furnished short-term apartments in Hamburg and beyond are designed with your comfort, flexibility, and sense of community in mind. Whether you’re staying for a short time or considering settling down in Germany in the long term, we’ll help you feel at home in your apartment and in the city itself.
By teaming up with initiatives like the Hamburg Exiles Rugby Football Club, we invest in local ecosystems that empower expats, international professionals, and students to thrive.
The Exiles’ diverse community and welcoming spirit offer a sense of togetherness, creating shared moments and friendships.
Just as the Exiles bring people together on the pitch, we aim to help people connect off the pitch — making every new beginning in Hamburg a little easier, and a lot more meaningful.
We are happy to support this passionate, close-knit team, from providing short-term accommodation to cheering them on from the sidelines.
Photo: Simon Drcar
Exiles: Rising in the Game
In 2024, the Hamburg Exiles dominated their league, finishing the season unbeaten — a remarkable achievement for an amateur rugby team founded on diversity, inclusivity, and a passion for the sport.
Despite the transient nature of expat life, the Exiles have consistently fostered a robust and inclusive rugby community in Hamburg. Whether you’re in the city for six months or several years, joining the Exiles means making instant teammates — and often friends.
The club trains every Wednesday and Friday from 7–9 pm, and on Fridays, training is followed by a big open barbecue where players, friends, families and curious newcomers gather.
If you’re new to Hamburg and wondering how to meet people, you can start here, at the edge of the pitch, with snacks in hand and new friends all around.
This spirit is brought to life during the Exiles’ internal tournaments and social events, which usually last all day and attract visiting teams, sponsors, partners, and lots of community members. It’s not just a match, but a festival celebrating what sport and solidarity can achieve in a city that can sometimes feel large and impersonal.
Photo: Simon Drcar
Save the Date!
7s Tournament — 7 June 2025
While the Exiles are gearing up to celebrate their 60th anniversary in 2026 with some exciting plans in the pipeline, you can look forward to an upcoming event in Hamburg this Saturday.
The annual 7s Rugby Tournament is one of the biggest events in the Exiles’ calendar. It will take place on 7 June 2025, from 9 am to 5 pm, at Saarlandstraße 71, Rugby-Arena Stadtpark.
There’s more to it than rugby — it’s a family-friendly community festival filled with food, fun, and international camaraderie.
Whether participating, spectating, or simply enjoying the atmosphere, this community event marks the start of summer and offers an opportunity to experience international sports in Hamburg.
So why not come along, watch a game, enjoy some barbecued goodies and good company?
When the Exiles are around, strangers don’t stay strangers for long.
Join the team!
Whether you’re an experienced player, have recently moved to Hamburg, or are simply interested in playing team sports in Germany, the Exiles welcome you with open arms.
Training Times: Wednesdays & Fridays, 7:00–9:00 PM
Location: Saarlandstraße 71, Hamburg
Next big event: 7s-Rugby Tournament, Saturday, June 7th 2025, 9am – approx. 5pm
Contact:
www.hamburg-exiles.de
manager@hamburg-exiles.de
@hamburgexilesrfc
Photo: Simon Drcar
