Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers are a men's rugby club founded in 1880 who play in the Gallagher Premiership (Tier 1). Their home ground is Welford Road, which holds 25,849.
Last updated May 2026
Key facts
| Founded | 1880 |
|---|---|
| League | Gallagher Premiership |
| Tier | Tier 1 |
| Head coach | Geoff Parling |
| Home ground | Mattioli Woods Welford Road (Welford Road) |
| Capacity | 25,849 |
| Nearest station | Leicester |
| Local derby | Northampton Saints |
| Marquee fixture | East Midlands Derby vs Northampton Saints |
| Matchday pub | The King's Head - 10-minute walk away |
| Official website | https://www.leicestertigers.com |
Honours
- Record 11 English league titles, more than any other club
- Back-to-back European Cups in 2001 and 2002, the first club to retain the title
- Four consecutive English league titles from 1999 to 2002
Club history
Leicester Tigers were founded in 1880 and hold the record for most English league titles with 11 championships.
Dean Richards was appointed director of rugby in February 1998 and oversaw four consecutive Premiership titles from 1999 to 2002.
Leicester became the first side to retain a European title after beating Munster 15-9 in the 2002 Heineken Cup final following a 34-30 win over Stade Français in 2001.
The club is one of only three teams never relegated from English rugby's top division.
Leicester were fined over £300000 in 2022 for a four-season salary cap breach but escaped a points deduction.
Recent seasons
Leicester signed World Cup-winning Springbok fly-half Handré Pollard from Montpellier ahead of the 2022-23 season.
Michael Cheika departed at the end of 2024-25 having coached Leicester to the Premiership final where they lost 23-21 to Bath.
Geoff Parling was appointed Leicester head coach on a long-term deal in May 2025 starting from August 2025.
Handré Pollard returned to South Africa joining the Bulls in March 2025 after his Leicester departure.
Notable players
Club legends
- Martin Johnson
- Manu Tuilagi
- Austin Healey
- Dan Cole
- Ben Youngs
- Dean Richards
Current squad
- Freddie Steward
- Ollie Chessum
- Jack van Poortvliet
- Joe Heyes
- Hanro Liebenberg
- Julian Montoya
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Frequently asked questions
When were Leicester Tigers founded?
Leicester Tigers were founded in 1880.
Where do Leicester Tigers play?
Leicester Tigers play at Welford Road, which holds 25,849. The nearest station is Leicester.
What league do Leicester Tigers play in?
Leicester Tigers compete in the Gallagher Premiership, tier 1 of English rugby's league structure.
What have Leicester Tigers won?
Leicester Tigers's honours include Record 11 English league titles, more than any other club; Back-to-back European Cups in 2001 and 2002, the first club to retain the title; Four consecutive English league titles from 1999 to 2002.
Who are Leicester Tigers's local rivals?
Leicester Tigers's local derby is against Northampton Saints.
Who is the Leicester Tigers head coach?
Leicester Tigers are coached by Geoff Parling.
Other Gallagher Premiership clubs
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