Berliner Rugby Club e.V. (Berliner RC, BRC) is a rugby union club in Berlin, Germany, founded in 1926. As of August 2026, its first men's team is the only Berlin club in the single-division 1. Bundesliga. It also has a second men's team, a new women's team, youth teams from under-6 to under-18 and an old boys side.
History
The club was founded in 1926 by young enthusiasts with high ambitions, among them two former students from SC Frankfurt 1880. It celebrates its centenary in 2026, including a summer festival on 29 August 2026.
Youth work began under Fritz Feyerherm at the end of the 1960s and has continued since. By the club's count, it brought many of its youth teams German championship titles over the following decades. Feyerherm died prematurely in 2008, and the club set out to carry on what he had built. Since 2012 it has run a memorial tournament named after him; the 13th edition was scheduled for 3 and 4 October 2026.
As of 2026, by the club's count, its first men's team has played in the 1. Bundesliga without interruption since 2001. In 2025/26 the team finished ninth in the 1. Bundesliga table, with three wins and 15 defeats from 18 matches, 365 points scored, 754 conceded and 25 table points. SC Frankfurt 1880 won the 2025/26 final, beating SC Neuenheim 35–10 on 13 June 2026. Berliner RC plays in the 2026/27 1. Bundesliga, and by August 2026 all ten first-division clubs had received licences for that season.
On 13 and 14 June 2026 the club hosted the German under-12 championship, with matches on four rugby pitches at Sportanlage Maifeld, Am Glockenturm 1, 14053 Berlin-Charlottenburg. The club also works with primary and secondary schools, where it runs taster courses and school rugby clubs.
Honours
As of 2026, by the club's count, it has won more than 40 championships across its age groups since 1976. Recent German championship placings:
- German championship, U18: runners-up, 2025 (final tournament 17–18 May 2025, won by SC Frankfurt 1880)
- German championship, U16: third place, 2025
Ground
The club's home ground is the BRC Rugbyplatz, Sachtlebenstraße 36, 14165 Berlin. Sportanlage Jungfernheide, Jungfernheideweg 70, 13629 Berlin, is also a club venue.
Teams and training
As of 2026, the teams are:
| Team | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Herren | Men; 1. Bundesliga (single division) |
| 2. Herren | Men; Regionalliga Ost |
| Women | New team being formed, for ages 15 to 45 |
| Youth | Under-6 to under-18 |
| Old Boys | Fifteen-a-side rugby; touring in 2026 |
In 2026 the club had three men's teams, playing fifteens and sevens. As of August 2026, the men train on Tuesdays and Thursdays, for an hour and a half from 19:30. The women train on Mondays and Thursdays for an hour and a half from 18:00 or 19:30, and youth teams train two or three times a week. The club sends current times and places to newcomers once they register for a trial. Members organise training and events through the Spond team app, with further contact through WhatsApp groups.
The men's team welcomes both experienced players and people coming to rugby from other sports, and the women's team welcomes complete beginners. Newcomers may train free of charge for four weeks before joining; the trial cannot be repeated or extended. Membership applications are available in German and English.
As of August 2026, under the fee regulations of 30 November 2022, in force from 1 January 2023, the annual fee is €300 for active adult players, €240 for students and volunteers in the federal volunteer service, €240 for youth players under 18, €160 for a second sibling and €80 for further siblings, and €120 for passive adult members; honorary members pay nothing.
Club life
In 2026 the club had about 350 members, from more than 30 nationalities, with young people making up more than half. The club quotes the saying "Rugby builds characters", which in its view has shaped its players' lives at the club since 1926. Its slogan is "Try. Play. Stay." For the club, rugby's values are respect, discipline, team spirit, integrity, passion, solidarity and tolerance. To rugby's nickname "The game they play in heaven" the club adds "und beim BRC!" ("and at BRC!"). It uses the line "Wir lieben Rugby seit 1926! Ein Verein – 100 Jahre." ("We have loved rugby since 1926! One club – 100 years."), calls itself a traditional club, and its colours are red, white and black.