Who we are

A multi-sport model, owned and founded by Steve Lansdown CBE

Bristol Sport was founded by Steve Lansdown CBE, in 2012, formed with a single-minded goal to inspire sport in Bristol and beyond.

Inspired by a visit to Barcelona’s Nou Camp, Lansdown set about founding a multi-sport model unique in the UK. It comprises of five sports teams across professional football, rugby and basketball.

Our History

2013 Bristol Sport announced the acquisition of Bristol Academy Flyers basketball team.

As part of the deal the club would rebrand as the Bristol Flyers and become the newest franchise to enter the British Basketball League for the 2014/15 season.

2014 – Bristol Sport officially launched its HQ at Ashton Gate Stadium for the start of the 2014/15 season.

Timed with the move of Bristol Bears (Men) to Ashton Gate, joining Bristol City (Men) at their permanent home.

2014 also saw the start of an ambitious two-year £50m stadium redevelopment project get underway.

2015 May – Bristol City (men) celebrate winning the League One title in front of a full house at Ashton Gate.

It topped off an incredible season in which they won the League One title, their first league title in 60 years, and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy for a record third time.

2015 November – The Lionesses play at Ashton Gate in their first home match since finishing third in the 2015 Fifa Women’s World Cup

Substitute Jill Scott scored the winner in front of a record crowd.

2015 also marked Bristol Academy Women formally become Bristol City Women.

2016 August – saw the completion of the two-year stadium rebuild on time and on budget.

The new double-tiered 11,000-seater West Stand was formally opened and named the Lansdown Stand.

2016/17 Bristol City Women win promotion to the FA Women’s Super League for the 2017/18 season.

2018 – Bristol Rugby secured promotion back to the Premiership and marked their return with a rebrand to become the Bristol Bears.

The “new” club also united its women’s team (Bristol Ladies Rugby) under the same banner.

A year later it opened its new High Performance Centre on Beggar Bush Lane at which Bears Men, Women and Academy teams all train.

2020 Bears win their first ever European Title as they beat Toulon 32-19 in an enthralling Challenge Cup final at Stade Maurice-David.

On a historic night for the club, Harry Randall’s try after 15 seconds set Pat Lam’s on their way to their first major honour since 1983.

2021 Robins High Performance Centre opens and become the official training base of City men, women and academy teams.

2022 Bristol City Council approve plans for a new £130m Sporting Quarter development alongside Ashton Gate.

Plans include a 4,000-seater basketball arena and multi-purpose venue with 4-star hotel, residential and commercial property.

It is expected to open during the 25/26 basketball season.

2023 City Women win promotion back to Barclays Womens Super League. In front of a record crowd at Ashton Gate they beat Charlton 4-0 to win the Barclays Championship League title and a return to the top-flight.

2023 May – Flyers announce they will become the first British team to compete in the newly-formed European North Basketball League (ENBL) for the 23/24 season.

Flyers posted their highest-ever finish in the BBL 22/23 and continued their home run of sell-out crowds since October 2018.

Our Communities

Four community foundations are based at the stadium representing each one of the sporting entities: Bristol Sport Foundation; Bristol Robins; Bristol Bears and Bristol Flyers Community Foundations

Our Partners

Founded with a belief by the Lansdown family that Bristol Sport should support the city and the city should support sport. Each and every one of our commercial partners invest in us just as we invest in them.