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{{Short description|Professional rugby team based in Coventry, England}}
{{About|the professional rugby union team|the amateur team|Wasps FC|other uses|Wasp (disambiguation)#Sport{{!}}Wasp (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby team
| teamname       = Wasps
| image          = Wasps RFC logo 2021.svg
| imagesize      = 150
| fullname       = Wasps Rugby Football Club
| location       = tbc
| ground         = tbc
| capacity       = tbc
| countryflag    = ENG
| founded        = {{Start date and age|df=no|1866}}<br>(as "[[Harlequin FC|Hampstead Football Club]]" )<br>{{Start date and age|df=yes|1867}}<br>(as "[[Wasps FC]]")<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=http://www.wasps.co.uk/History1.ink|title=History 1867–1930 London Wasps|website=wasps.co.uk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722215008/http://www.wasps.co.uk/History1.ink|archive-date=22 July 2014}}</ref>
| ceo            = ''Vacant''
| chairman       = Christopher Holland
| caps           = [[Simon Shaw]] (355)
| top scorer     = [[Jimmy Gopperth]] (1,152)
| most tries     = [[Christian Wade]] (82)
| season         = [[2022–23 Premiership Rugby|2022–23]]
| league         = tbc
| position       = Premiership (Relegated due to administration)
| url            = https://www.wasps.co.uk/
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'''Wasps Rugby Football Club''' was a professional rugby union team. They last played in [[Premiership Rugby]], the top division of English rugby, until being suspended on 12 October 2022.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63232043|title=Wasps suspended from Premiership and set to enter administration 'within days'|date=12 October 2022|access-date=18 October 2022|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> On 17 October 2022, the club entered administration, resulting in relegation from the league and all staff being made redundant.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 October 2022 |title=Wasps suspended from Premiership and will be relegated, RFU confirms |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/28/wasps-suspended-from-premiership-as-rfu-confirms-relegation |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=the Guardian }}</ref><ref name="BBC Sport">{{Cite news |title=Administrators accept offer to buy stricken Wasps |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/63447055 |access-date=12 December 2022 }}</ref> They exited administration on 16 December 2022.<ref name=":1" />

Founded in 1867 as [[Wasps FC|Wasps Football Club]], from 1923 to 1996 they were based at Repton Avenue in [[Sudbury, London]]. From 1996 to 2002 the team played at [[Loftus Road]] in [[Shepherd's Bush]], London and from 2002 to 2014 they played at [[Adams Park]] in [[High Wycombe]], [[Buckinghamshire]]. From 2014 to 2022 their home ground was the [[Coventry Building Society Arena]] (known until 2021 as the Ricoh Arena) in [[Coventry]]. They have not yet announced a permanent playing ground following their exit from administration.

Wasps won 12 major titles. They were European Champions twice, in [[2004 Heineken Cup Final|2004]] and [[2007 Heineken Cup Final|2007]]; won six English Championships including three in a row from 2003 to 2005; and won three [[Anglo-Welsh Cup]]s. They also won the [[2002–03 European Challenge Cup|2003 European Rugby Challenge Cup]]. Wasps most recent trophy was the [[2007–08 Premiership Rugby|2007–08 Premiership]].

In [[2021–22 Premiership Rugby]], their last completed season, Wasps finished 9th. [[Lee Blackett]] was appointed head coach in February 2020,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/51547625|title=Dai Young: Wasps director of rugby leaves Premiership club after nine years|date=18 February 2020 |work=BBC Sport|access-date=18 February 2020 }}</ref> until being made redundant.

In October 2023, the owners of the club announced plans to revive the team in a permanent home in Kent, while maintaining the possibility of playing from [[Sixways Stadium]] in Worcester pending completion of any new build. The club stated that it hoped to be involved in the pending relaunch of the professional game in England from 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IN A GROUNDBREAKING MOVE FORWARD, WASPS TODAY ANNOUNCES ITS INTENTION TO ESTABLISH A LONG-TERM HOME IN KENT. |url=https://www.wasps.co.uk/club-announcements/wasps-announces-plans-for-new-stadium-development-in-kent/ |access-date=24 October 2023 |website=wasps.co.uk }}</ref>

==History==

===Wasps FC: 1866–1995===
Hampstead Football Club was founded in 1866.<ref name="history"/> A split in the membership resulted in the formation of two different clubs: [[Harlequin F.C.]] and Wasps. Wasps Football Club was itself formed in 1867<ref name="history"/> at the now defunct Eton and Middlesex Tavern in North London;<ref name="history"/> names of insects, birds and other animals were considered fashionable in the Victorian period. In December 1870, Edwin Ash, Secretary of Richmond Football Club published a letter in the papers which said, "Those who play the rugby-type game should meet to form a code of practice as various clubs play to rules which differ from others, which makes the game difficult to play."

As a reasonably well-established club, the Wasps were eligible to be founder members of the [[Rugby Football Union]] (RFU).<ref name="history"/> On 26 January 1871 the meeting was scheduled to take place. However a mix-up led to them sending their representative to the wrong venue at the wrong time on the wrong day.<ref name="history"/> Another version of the story was that he went to a pub of the same name and after consuming a number of drinks was too drunk to make it to the correct address after he realised his mistake. Wasps were, therefore, not present at the inauguration ceremony and thus forfeited their right to be called foundation members.<ref name="history"/>

Wasps' first home was in [[Finchley Road]], North London. Later, grounds were rented in various parts of London until in 1923 the Wasps found a permanent home at [[Sudbury, London|Sudbury]], [[Middlesex]], eventually buying the ground outright.<ref name="history"/> The side had somewhat of a renaissance during the 1930s; in the earlier part of the decade they were seen as one of the better English clubs, going unbeaten in the 1930/31 English season.<ref name="backrow">{{cite web |url=http://www.wasps.co.uk/History2.ink |title=The 1930s – London Wasps |website=wasps.co.uk |access-date=13 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319104458/http://www.wasps.co.uk/History2.ink |archive-date=19 March 2008 }}</ref> The 1930s also saw the emergence of Neville Compton, who captained the side between 1939 and 1947 and went on to become fixture secretary in 1959 and eventually became the club president in the early 1970s before retiring in 1988.

Wasps went on to host Welsh internationals Vivian Jenkins and [[Harry Bowcott]], in addition to this national representation, numerous Wasps came to play for the [[England national rugby union team|England national side]], such as [[Ted Woodward (rugby union)|Ted Woodward]], Bob Stirling, [[Richard Sharp (rugby union)|Richard Sharp]] and Don Rutherford. In 1967, the Wasps club celebrated their centenary. Celebrations took the form of two matches that were held at the [[Rugby school]] grounds, where [[William Webb Ellis]] is thought to have originated the rugby union game. One match was played against the [[Barbarian F.C.]], the other, against another London rugby union club, the Harlequins.

In 1986, Wasps Football Club made their first appearance at the final of the [[EDF Energy Cup|John Player Cup]] knock-out competition, which originated in 1972. Wasps were defeated by [[Bath Rugby|Bath]] in a close game, where Bath emerged as winners, 25 points to 17. The following year Wasps continued their success in the knock-out competition and they again met Bath in the final. They were however again defeated by Bath in a close game, Bath winning 19 points to 12. Wasp [[Rob Andrew]] captained England against [[Romania national rugby union team|Romania]] in 1989. In 1990, Andrew captained Wasps to their first Courage League title, as they narrowly pipped [[Orrell R.U.F.C.]] to be English champions.

In 1995 Wasps lost 16–36 to [[Bath Rugby|Bath]] in the final of the [[Pilkington Cup]]. It was their first appearance in the final since 1987 and 1986, when their opponents – and the eventual winners – on both occasions were also Bath.

After winning the title, Wasps regularly finished in the top three of the Courage league title, although they were never quite good enough to overcome Bath, the pre-eminent club of the time. Then in 1995–96, with many pundits predicting Wasps could make a run for the title, Rob Andrew took up a lucrative deal to become Player Manager of Newcastle Falcons. He recruited several other leading Wasps, including, most notably, Club Captain Dean Ryan. For a few weeks Wasps looked like becoming the first casualty of the professional era as the backbone of their team had left. But under newly appointed captain Lawrence Dallaglio, the club steadied the ship, and managed to finish fourth, and secure a place in the following season's Heineken Cup, which English teams were entering for the first time.

===Wasps RFC: 1996–1999===
{{more citations needed section|date=October 2014}}
[[File:Wasps 250.png|thumb|150px|The original Wasps logo used until 1999]]
The following season, [[English Premiership (rugby union)|1996–97]], Wasps won their second league championship, and became the first English Champions of the new professional era. It was an equally momentous season off the field. The club split into two parts, with the professional side becoming part of Loftus Road Holdings PLC, who also owned [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.]] One element of the deal saw Wasps move from their traditional Sudbury home to share QPR's [[Loftus Road]] stadium.

In 1998, the now-professional Wasps again reached the final of the [[Anglo-Welsh Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]], but lost 18–48 to a strong [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] side. The following year Wasps again reached the final, they defeated [[Newcastle Falcons]] 29–19 to claim their first cup final win. In 2000 Wasps reached the final for the third consecutive year, successfully defending their title in a 31–23 victory over [[Northampton Saints]].

===London Wasps: 1999–2014===
{{more citations needed section|date=October 2014}}
[[File:Wasps Perpignan.jpg|thumb|150px|A match between Wasps and Perpignan in 2006]]
In the summer of 1999, the professional team – which had been operating as Wasps RFC (professional) since the 1996–97 season – was renamed as London Wasps, to differentiate it from [[Wasps FC]], the amateur side of the club. At the same time they adopted a new logo, which was selected as being in keeping with the club's history. {{Citation needed|reason=London Wasps|date=March 2007}}

In 2001 ex-Wigan rugby league star [[Shaun Edwards]] joined as a coach. He has largely been credited with creating Wasps' famous [[Blitz Defence]] that stops teams and is the basis for Wasps' own scoring chances.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} London Wasps agreed to move out of Loftus Road to allow [[Fulham F.C.]] to groundshare for two seasons between 2002 and 2004, while their ground, [[Craven Cottage]], was redeveloped. They became tenants to [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.]] at [[Adams Park]] at the end of the 2001–02 season. The success of Wasps at their new ground meant they did not return to Loftus Road after Fulham left.

In the [[2002–03 European Challenge Cup]], Wasps made their way to the final, where they met [[Bath Rugby|Bath]]. Though Bath beat them in numerous finals in the 1990s, Wasps emerged as champions, winning 48–30 at the [[Madejski Stadium]]. They also defeated [[Northampton Saints]] in the Premiership semi-final, after finishing second in the league table. They then faced [[Gloucester Rugby|Gloucester]] in the final at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]], to win in their first English title since 1997, by 39 points to 3.

Wasps finished top of their pool in the [[2003–04 Heineken Cup]], where they went on to defeat [[Gloucester RFC|Gloucester]] at the quarter-finals and won a final berth after beating [[Munster Rugby|Munster]] 37–32 in the semi-finals. They met [[Stade Toulousain|Toulouse]] in the final at Twickenham, where they became champions, defeating the French side 27–20, winning their first [[Heineken Cup]]. Wasps followed up the win the following week, again at Twickenham, by beating Bath to retain the title of England's champion side, and complete a double.

In December 2004 the RFU revealed that the team was to be disqualified from the [[EDF Energy Cup|Powergen Cup]] for fielding an ineligible player, [[Hooker (rugby union)|hooker]] Jonny Barrett, in a sixth-round game against [[Bristol Rugby|Bristol]].<ref name="powergencup">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/4121055.stm |title=Wasps thrown out of Powergen Cup |website=BBC Sport |access-date=7 April 2007 |date=23 December 2004}}</ref> Wasps went through the season well, after the cup glitch, and retained the English title for a second time, by beating [[Leicester Tigers]] in the final at Twickenham. Edwards, however, was not a totally happy man as Wasps conceded their first try of the three Premiership finals in the dying minutes.{{Citation needed|reason=date-May 2010|date=May 2010}} [[Warren Gatland]] signed off at Wasps with a rare smile to continue his coaching with [[Waikato Rugby Union|Waikato]] in [[Air New Zealand Cup|New Zealand]].{{Citation needed|reason=date-May 2010|date=May 2010}}

[[Ian McGeechan]] became the new Director of Rugby at Wasps from the 2005–06 season, taking over from Gatland. Wasps won the [[EDF Energy Cup|Powergen Anglo-Welsh Cup]] in the 2005–06 season, beating [[Scarlets|Llanelli Scarlets]] in the final at Twickenham. Before the 2006–07 season began, Wasps won the Middlesex 7s in Twickenham, beating [[Leicester Tigers]] in the final. {{citation needed|date=November 2015}}

In England's game against Wales at the [[Millennium Stadium]] in Cardiff in the [[2007 Six Nations Championship]], Wasps supplied the back row of the scrum, [[James Haskell]], [[Joe Worsley]] and [[Tom Rees (rugby player)|Tom Rees]] all made an appearance.<ref name="backrow2">{{cite web |url=http://www.wasps.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=27964&newstype=N |title=Backrow |publisher=Wasps.co.uk |access-date=7 April 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927020501/http://www.wasps.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=27964&newstype=N |archive-date=27 September 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> This was the first time that any club supplied the entire back row.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} Unfortunately for England, Wales won the encounter 27 to 18.<ref name="sixnat">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6454287.stm |title=Wales 27–18 England |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 April 2007 |date=17 March 2007}}</ref>

[[File:Wasps HEC Final 2007.JPG|thumb|300px|Wasps celebrate after their win in 2007]]
In the 2006–07 Heineken Cup, Wasps qualified by topping their group for a home quarter-final. They were drawn against [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]] on 31 March. There was a full house at [[Adams Park]], and three players in total were sent to the [[Penalty box#Rugby football|sin bin]], [[Lawrence Dallaglio]] in the last moments of the first half, [[Dominic Waldouck]] of London Wasps and [[Malcolm O'Kelly]] of [[Leinster Rugby|Leinster]] later spent time there as well.<ref name="hcup">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6502717.stm |title=Wasps 35–13 Leinster |publisher=BBC |access-date=7 April 2007 |date=31 March 2007}}</ref> The final score was 35–13 to wasps. In the semi-final at Coventry City's [[Ricoh Arena]] on 22 April, Wasps beat [[Northampton Saints|Northampton]] 30–13 and in doing so, gained a place in the Heineken Cup Final against Leicester Tigers at Twickenham.

Leicester Tigers were the favourites, as they had already won the Anglo-Welsh cup and the Guinness Premiership, the latter just the week before. Wasps went ahead early, and while Leicester kept in the match, Wasps won 25–9, thanks to penalties by [[Alex King (rugby union)|Alex King]] and tries by [[Raphaël Ibañez]] and [[Eoin Reddan]] to become 2007 champions.

During the 2007–08 season, Wasps went from 10th in the league during October, to beat Leicester Tigers in the Guinness Premiership Final. This sealed a dream send-off for the retiring Lawrence Dallaglio at Twickenham. Wasps won 26–16 thanks to penalties by [[Mark van Gisbergen]] and tries by Josh Lewsey and Tom Rees to become the English 2008 champions. Wasps have now won six league titles in all, equal with Bath and just one behind Leicester.

The 2008–09 season was to see Wasps come unstuck. With their captain having retired, many of the players failed to play to their full potential. Wasps would eventually finish in seventh place, having also failed to reach the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup and EDF Anglo Welsh Cup. On 12 May 2009 it was announced in the evening standard that Ian McGeechan had been forced to step down and will now take a consultancy role both at London Wasps and London Scottish.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23689490-details/Lions+coach+Ian+McGeechan+is+forced+out+by+Wasps/article.do |title=Lions coach is forced out by Wasps |access-date=12 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515173037/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23689490-details/Lions+coach+Ian+McGeechan+is+forced+out+by+Wasps/article.do |archive-date=15 May 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was confirmed by the BBC on 14 May.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/london_wasps/8047377.stm |work=BBC News |title=McGeechan's Wasps exit confirmed |date=14 May 2009 |access-date=11 May 2010}}</ref> Tony Hanks, a former coach at the club, was announced as the new Director of Rugby soon after. He had more recently been coaching at [[Waikato Rugby Union|Waikato]] and also been a stand in for McGeechan for the latter part of the 2008/09 season, while he was primarily committed to [[British and Irish Lions]] duty. McGeechan had technically been a Lions employee for the whole season and through agreement with Wasps was loaned back to the club.

The 2009–10 season started off with an exodus of key players including [[James Haskell]] and [[Tom Palmer (rugby union)|Tom Palmer]] who moved to [[Stade Français]], [[Riki Flutey]] who also crossed the channel to join Brive and [[Eoin Reddan]] who left to join Leinster in Ireland.

In late February it was announced that [[Danny Cipriani]] would be leaving for the [[Melbourne Rebels]] in Australia and he was determined to leave on a high.

After beating Gloucester 42–26 in the quarter-final of the [[European Challenge Cup|Amlin Cup]] scoring five tries (including a hat-trick from winger [[Tom Varndell]]), Wasps lost 15–18 at home to [[Cardiff Blues]] in the semi-final with [[Dave Walder]] kicking all of Wasps points with five penalties. Cardiff subsequently beat French Top 14 side [[RC Toulonnais|Toulon]] in the final of the competition at the [[Stade Vélodrome]] in [[Marseille]].

Shaun Edwards left the club in November 2011.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2011/nov/01/shaun-edwards-london-wasps-wales |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Mike |last=Averis |title=England and Wales on alert as Shaun Edwards leaves London Wasps |date=1 November 2011}}</ref>

Wasps had a poor 2011–12 season, finishing in their lowest position for many seasons in 11th place, narrowly avoiding relegation from the Premiership. The season was notable for a good start where Wasps beat with a 15–20<ref>[http://www.scorespro.com/rugby-union/livescore/saracens-vs-london-wasps/03-09-2011/ Saracens – London Wasps: 15–20 (Match Report)] ScoresPro.com</ref> reigning champions Saracens at Twickenham in the opening match and then runners-up Leicester in the second match with a 35–29.<ref>[http://www.scorespro.com/rugby-union/livescore/london-wasps-vs-leicester-tigers/11-09-2011/ London Wasps – Leicester Tigers: 35–29 (Match Report)] ScoresPro.com</ref> Things went downhill from there on as the worst injury toll known to professional rugby union hit the squad with a combined total of 16 serious and long-term injuries and retirements.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}}

Dai Young recruited well through the summer bringing in players such as Andrea Masi (2012 6 Nations Player Of The Tournament) and Stephen Jones. He also welcomed back former Wasps Tom Palmer and James Haskell.

Wasps beat their record of their European highest-scoring margin with a 90–17 win against [[Viadana Rugby|Viadana]] on 12 October 2013, beating the 77–17 margin of victory against Toulouse on 26 October 1996.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amlin Challenge Cup Pool Four: Viadana 17–90 London Wasps|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24468347|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=12 October 2013|date=12 October 2013}}</ref>

===Wasps Rugby relocation to West Midlands: 2014===
[[File:Wasps_rugby.svg|thumb|150px|The Wasps Rugby logo used from 2014 to 2021]]
On 30 June 2014, the club announced that the "London" prefix of the name had been dropped, returning to Wasps for the first time since the re-branding in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/231543.html|title=Wasps drop 'London' prefix|website=ESPN scrum}}</ref>

In September 2014, [[Simon Gilbert (journalist)|Simon Gilbert]], of the ''[[Coventry Telegraph]]'' reported the side were in talks to permanently relocate to the [[Ricoh Arena]] in [[Coventry]], from their home at [[Adams Park]], in [[High Wycombe]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/rugby-club-wasps-talks-buy-7792990 |title=Rugby club Wasps in talks to buy major stake in Ricoh Arena |work=Coventry Telegraph |date=18 September 2014 |access-date=4 October 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007135550/http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/rugby-club-wasps-talks-buy-7792990 |archive-date=7 October 2015 }}</ref> In October 2014 Wasps announced that from December 2014 they would play their home games at the [[Ricoh Arena]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/article/2014/10/08/the-ricoh-arena-q-as |title=Ricoh Stadium Move |date=8 October 2014 |work=Wasps RFC |access-date=8 October 2014}}</ref> On 14 November 2014 Wasps confirmed the purchase of the final 50% of shares in the stadium from the Higgs Charity to become outright owners of the facility.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/article/2014/11/14/wasps-confirm-100-shareholding-in-the-ricoh-arena |title=Wasps Confirm 100% Shareholding In The Ricoh Arena |date=14 November 2014 |work=Wasps RFC |access-date=14 November 2014}}</ref>

Their first game as owners was a 48–16 win against [[London Irish]] on 21 December 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/dec/21/wasps-london-irish-aviva-premiership-match-report |title=Andy Goode scores 33 points as Wasps thrash London Irish in Coventry debut |work=The Guardian |date=21 December 2014 |access-date=6 January 2015 |last=Kitson |first=Robert}}</ref>

===Wasps in Coventry: 2014–2022===
The 2014–15 season saw Wasps finish 6th. [[Andy Goode]] was the Premiership's top scorer, ending the season with 240 points.

Things improved for Wasps in the 2015–16 season, with them finishing 3rd in the league. They lost their play-off semi-final with eventual runners-up Exeter Chiefs.

Wasps finished 1st in the 2016–17 regular season. Despite this success, Wasps went on to lose to Exeter Chiefs in the play-off final, having beaten Leicester in the semi-final.

In the 2017–18 regular season, Wasps finished 3rd. They faced Saracens in the semi-final play-off, but lost 57–33. The 2017–18 season marked 150 years since the foundation of Wasps Rugby Football Club and was celebrated with an anniversary game against Bath Rugby.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps-150th-anniversary-game/|title=Wasps' 150th Anniversary Game|website=wasps.co.uk}}</ref>

The 2018–19 campaign saw Wasps slip to an 8th-place finish overall. Across the season, Wasps recorded 10 wins and 12 losses.

The 2019–20 Gallagher Premiership Season saw huge improvement for Wasps who finished 2nd in the table (71 points) behind league leaders Exeter Chiefs (74 points). As a result of finishing 2nd, Wasps earned a home semi-final against Bristol Bears on Saturday 10 October 2020 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. Wasps won 47–24 earning a place in the Gallagher Premiership Final on Saturday 24 October 2020 against Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham Stadium. In a repeat of the outcome of the 2016–17 Final, Wasps were defeated by Exeter Chiefs. The result was 19–13.

The 2020–21 season saw another slump for Wasps who fell out of the Top 4 playoff positions, finishing 8th in the table.

In May 2021 it was announced that Wasps' home stadium would be renamed to the Coventry Building Society Arena.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wasps Group agree major new stadium naming rights deal|url=https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps-group-agree-major-new-stadium-naming-rights-deal/|access-date=24 August 2021 |website=wasps.co.uk}}</ref> On Monday 19 July 2021, Wasps announced a new logo to bring all elements of Wasps including the Netball team, Women and Amateur rugby sides under one new visual identity.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wasps Logo Evolves|url=https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps-logo-evolves/|access-date=24 August 2021 |website=wasps.co.uk}}</ref>

===Financial troubles and administration: 2022===

On 15 May 2022, Wasps failed to repay the £35&nbsp;million [[bond (finance)|bond]] finance they had raised in 2015, however stated they hoped to re-finance by 13 August.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/investing/bonds/despair-investors-trapped-wasps-35m-bond/|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=8 July 2022|access-date=18 October 2022|url-access=subscription|title=Despair for investors trapped in Wasps' £35m bond|first1=Lauren|last1=Almeida}}</ref> On 13 August 2022, Wasps did not refinance the bond, with owner Derek Richardson stating "we are not in administration and we are not going to be" after rumours of administration appeared on the internet.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/wasps-owner-hits-back-at-ill-informed-rumours-about-club/|title=Wasps owner hits back at 'ill-informed' rumours about club|work=Rugby Pass|date=13 August 2022|access-date=18 October 2022|first1=Ian|last1=Cameron}}</ref>
 
On 21 September 2022, Wasps Holdings announced their intention to appoint administrators due to ongoing financial difficulty.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Statement from Wasps Holding Limited |url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/statement-from-wasps-holding-limited |access-date=21 September 2022 |website=Premiership Rugby }}</ref> After a second notice of intention was filed on 4 October, the club were suspended from all tournaments on 12 October due to inability to field a team<ref>{{Cite web |title=RFU statement confirming Wasps suspension from Gallagher Premiership Rugby |url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/rfu-statement-confirming-wasps-suspension-from-gallagher-premiership-rugby |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=Premiership Rugby }}</ref> and Wasps Holdings were placed into administration on 17 October 2022 with all their playing and coaching staff made redundant.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Bridge |first=Bobby |date=17 October 2022 |title=Wasps' administration confirmed as 167 employees made redundant |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-administration-confirmed-club-statement-25282848 |access-date=17 October 2022 |website=CoventryLive }}</ref> The team had their current results removed<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wasps suspended from Gallagher Premiership Rugby and the Premiership Rugby Cup |url=https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/wasps-suspended-from-gallagher-premiership-rugby-and-the-premiership-rugby-cup |access-date=29 October 2022 |website=Premiership Rugby }}</ref> and were also relegated to the [[RFU Championship]], the second tier of English rugby.<ref name="BBC Sport"/> The club had debts totalling £95&nbsp;million.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Wasps debts totalled £95m, say administrators |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/63874443 |access-date=12 December 2022 }}</ref>

On 30 October it was confirmed that the administrators had accepted an offer from a consortium to buy the club, with the RFU expecting a 'decision ahead of Christmas.'<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wasps' administrators confirm consortium's offer has been accepted {{!}} Wasps {{!}} The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/oct/30/wasps-administrators-confirm-consortium-offer-accepted-rugby-union |access-date=9 November 2022 |website=amp.theguardian.com|date=30 October 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Wasps & Worcester decisions expected by Christmas |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/35243029 |access-date=12 December 2022 }}</ref>

The club confirmed on 16 December that the club had been successfully sold and exited administration. It was also confirmed that they had satisfied all RFU requirements to join the Championship from the 2023–24 season.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Wasps Confirm Return For 2023/24 Season |url=https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps-confirm-return-for-202324-season/ |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=wasps.co.uk }}</ref> They were rumoured to be remaining in the West Midlands as they were rumoured to have agreed a groundshare with [[Solihull Moors F.C.|Solihull Moors]] at the [[Damson Park|ARMCO Arena]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sandiford |first=Josh |date=16 December 2022 |title=Wasps new home 'set to be in Solihull' as takeover completed |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/wasps-set-announce-armco-arena-25775021 |access-date=18 December 2022 |website=BirminghamLive }}</ref>

Following an extended deadline of 14 February 2023 to submit an application to the RFU Wasps were announced as formally able to compete in the Championship for the 2023–24 season on 15 February. However, this position was rescinded on 18 May 2023 as a result of a failure to hit a deadline to confirm commitments made when the licence was first approved in December. As a result, they will now be placed "at the bottom of the playing pyramid in tier ten" of the [[English rugby union system]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65634760 |title=Wasps to play 'at bottom of English pyramid' |work=BBC Sport }}</ref>

===Proposed move to Swanley===

In 2023 a [[Sevenoaks District Council]] spokesman said that Wasps, owned by Christopher Holland, were considering building a multi-use stadium, training facilities, a hotel, and enabling development on the outskirts of [[Swanley]], Kent.<ref name=sw1anley>{{cite news|title=Wasps want to move to Kent and build new stadium |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 October 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67193921 }}</ref>

==Rivalries==
Wasps' main rival were [[Harlequin F.C.|Harlequins]] in [[Twickenham]], London. Both clubs were once unified as Hampstead Football Club. Wasps split from Hampstead Football Club (which changed its name to Harlequin F.C. in 1870) over discord among members in 1867.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Club History |url=https://www.wasps.co.uk/your-club/club-history/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=wasps.co.uk }}</ref>

Following Wasps' move to [[Coventry]], Wasps tried to kindle rivalries with other clubs in the [[Midlands]] of England. This included the likes of [[Leicester Tigers]] and [[Northampton Saints]] leading one rugby commentator to state that the games, "lack the history that a derby demands".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lovell-Smith |first=Ben |date=17 December 2019 |title=The Unique History that ties Harlequins and Wasps |url=https://lastwordonsports.com/rugby/2019/12/17/unique-history-harlequins-and-wasps/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=Last Word on Rugby }}</ref>

==Wasps Netball==
{{Main|Wasps Netball}}

Wasps expanded their sporting brand in 2016 with the addition of [[Wasps Netball]]. They play their home games at the [[Coventry Building Society Arena#Indoor Arena - Coventry|Indoor Arena - Coventry]] located in the Coventry Building Society Arena.

In the 2018 and 2019 [[Netball Superleague]] seasons, they finished in top position, with Loughborough Lightning in 2nd place. Both teams proceeded to the Grand Final for a 2017 rematch, with Wasps winning their 2nd consecutive title with a scoreline identical to the 2017 and 2018 finals.

Wasps Netball were also placed into administration on 17 October 2022 with all their playing and coaching staff made redundant.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://udn.com/news/story/121424/4659358|title=Wasps Netball situation 'unprecedented' after holding company goes into administration|date=17 October 2022|access-date=27 October 2022|work=BBC Sport|archive-date=25 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625000000/https://udn.com/news/story/121424/4659358|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 10 November 2022, England Netball announced that Wasps Netball would no longer be eligible to compete in the Netball Super League moving forwards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandnetball.co.uk/confirmation-that-wasps-netball-will-no-longer-be-eligible-to-compete-in-the-netball-super-league/ |title=Confirmation that Wasps Netball will no longer be eligible to compete in the Netball Super League |date=10 November 2022 }}</ref>

==Home ground==
Wasps' first home was in [[Finchley Road]], North London although subsequent years saw grounds being rented in various parts of London. In 1923 the club moved to a permanent home at Repton Avenue, [[Sudbury, London|Sudbury]], [[Middlesex]], eventually buying the ground outright. {{Citation needed|reason=London Wasps|date=March 2007}}

===Loftus Road===
In 1996 Wasps moved to play their home games at [[Queens Park Rangers]]' home ground, [[Loftus Road]], in West London. The site of the ground at Sudbury was later developed for housing, though the original club house still stands and is used as a community centre.

===Adams Park===
Wasps made another move in 2002, this time {{convert|30|mi|km}} west of Greater London, playing their home games at [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.]]'s ground, [[Adams Park]], in [[High Wycombe]], [[Buckinghamshire]]. The attendance figure went up by 31.8% the next season.<ref name="hw">{{cite web |url=http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s97/st52401.htm |title=Stadium |publisher=Sportnetwork |access-date=7 April 2007}}</ref> Between 2004 and 2015 Wasps took part in the [[London Double Header]] at [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]], this was a designated home match in 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012 and 2013. In [[2006 London Double Header|2006]] this drew a crowd of 51,950, breaking the record set in [[2004 London Double Header|2004]].<ref name="double">{{cite news |url=http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060904/ai_n16708321 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016223223/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060904/ai_n16708321 |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 October 2007 |title=Rugby Union: Few thrills but tills keep ringing at double-header |publisher=Find Articles |access-date=7 April 2007 }}</ref>

In 2007 Wasps, Wycombe Wanderers and Wycombe District Council entered a joint venture that would fund a new stadium in the High Wycombe area. The favoured site for the new stadium was at [[Wycombe Air Park]], a {{convert|208|acre|km2|adj=on}} site owned by Wycombe District Council and close to the M40 motorway.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/2409437.wanderers-and-wasps-air-park-plan/|title=Wanderers and Wasps air park plan|website=Bucks Free Press|date=25 July 2008 }}</ref> The planned stadium was of 16–17,000 capacity, and would have been the first new football ground in England with terraced section since the [[Taylor Report]]. The development would also have included retail, hotel, conference and other facilities. Wasps and Wanderers funding was primarily from [[Steve Hayes (businessman)|Steve Hayes]], who had become a 25% share holder through a £250,000 investment in [[Wycombe Wanderers]] in June 2004, when the [[soccer|football]] club became a [[Public limited company|plc]] company;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chairboys.ndirect.co.uk/onthenet/news0405/hayes-june2005.htm|title=MD holds interview|publisher=chairboys|date=June 2005|access-date=3 December 2008}}</ref> and later became [[managing director]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby_union/article5279480.ece|title=Wycombe chief takes control at Wasps|work=The Times|date=3 December 2008|access-date=3 December 2008 |location=London|first=Fiona|last=Hamilton}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Hayes bought an 11.6% stake in London Wasps Holdings Ltd in August 2007,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10430~1098425,00.html|title=Hayes Becomes Wasps' Director|publisher=Wycombe Wanderers|date=24 August 2007|access-date=3 December 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719135601/http://www.wycombewanderers.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10430~1098425%2C00.html|archive-date=19 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s96/st119888.htm|title=Steve Hayes Announced as Wasps Director|publisher=rugbynetwork.net|date=24 August 2007|access-date=3 December 2008}}</ref> and became chairman of [[Lawrence Dallaglio]]'s benefit committee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.loans.co.uk/news_more.php?id=181|title=Loans.co.uk sponsor Wasps RFC challenge|publisher=Loans.co.uk|date=15 May 2004|access-date=3 December 2008|archive-date=11 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311180303/https://www.loans.co.uk/news_more.php?id=181|url-status=dead}}</ref> In December 2008, Hayes bought Wright's controlling interest and John O'Connell's share holding in Wasps to take complete control.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23596359-details/Steve+Hayes+unveiled+as+new+London+Wasps+owner/article.do|title=Steve Hayes unveiled as new London Wasps owner|publisher=thisislondon.co.uk|date=3 December 2008|access-date=3 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207091137/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/article-23596359-details/Steve+Hayes+unveiled+as+new+London+Wasps+owner/article.do|archive-date=7 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12321_4582392,00.html|title=Hayes takes over at Wasps|publisher=Sky Sports|date=3 December 2008|access-date=3 December 2008}}</ref> After the stadium plans at Booker Airfield were turned down, [[Steve Hayes (businessman)|Steve Hayes]] put the club up for sale, with Derek Richardson becoming principal shareholder in April 2013<ref>{{cite news|title=London Wasps: Derek Richardson takes over Premiership club|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22090960|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2 February 2014}}</ref>

===Coventry Building Society Arena===
[[File:Ricoh Arena - geograph.org.uk - 901396.jpg|thumb|The [[Coventry Building Society Arena]], Wasps' home ground from 2014 to 2022]]
Wasps' first official home game in Coventry was during the [[2007–08 Heineken Cup]] when they used the [[Coventry Building Society Arena|Ricoh Arena]] as their home venue against [[Munster Rugby|Munster]] on 10 November 2007 due to its bigger capacity.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/london_wasps/6998798.stm |title=Wasps move Cup opener to Coventry |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=17 September 2007 |date=17 September 2007}}</ref> While commercially the move was seen as a success,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/sport/localsport/display.var.1825655.0.copsey_coventry_move_vindicated.php |title=Copsey: Coventry move vindicated |date=12 November 2007 |publisher=Bucks Free Press |access-date=12 November 2007}}</ref> with Wasps winning the game 24–23 in front of a crowd of 21,506,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article2852776.ece |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110604131553/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article2852776.ece |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 June 2011 |title=Wasps hold off fierce challenge after Riki Flutey finds the right notes |work=The Times |access-date=12 November 2007 |location=London |first=David |last=Hands |date=12 November 2007}}</ref> the move attracted severe criticism from many of the club's supporters, citing the long distance from London (a round-trip of almost 200 miles for London-based fans).{{citation needed|date=January 2015}} The club argued that they had little choice but to relocate the match as their landlords, Wycombe Wanderers, had a home [[FA Cup]] tie the same day.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

On 7 October 2014, Wasps purchased 50% in Arena Coventry Ltd (the operating company of the Ricoh Arena) with the intention of relocating to the Midlands. After gaining a 100% stake in the company on 14 November 2014, Wasps played their first game in Coventry as owners on 21 December 2014; a 48–16 win against [[London Irish]]. While initially the relocation was only for 1st team home games; the club relocated completely ahead of the 2016–17 season.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Bridge|first1=Bobby|date=20 October 2020 |title=Wasps' new training ground plans recommended for approval|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/wasps-new-training-ground-plans-19117612|access-date=1 March 2021 |website=CoventryLive}}</ref>

After the team entered administration in 2022, the Coventry Building Society Arena was purchased by the [[Frasers Group]] on 17 November 2022 and Wasps ceased to be based there.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Turner |first1=Andy |title=Mike Ashley owns CBS Arena after decision made |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/mike-ashley-cbs-arena-breaking-25540656 |access-date=22 November 2022 |work=CoventryLive |date=17 November 2022 }}</ref>

==Season summaries==

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
|-
! 
!colspan="4"| Premiership
!colspan="2"| Domestic cup
!colspan="2"| Europe
|-
!style="text-align:center;width:6%"| Season
!style="text-align:center;width:18%"| Competition
!style="text-align:center;width:5%"| Final position
!style="text-align:center;width:5%"| Points
!style="text-align:center;width:8%"| Play-offs
!style="text-align:center;width:12%"| Competition
!style="text-align:center;width:7%"| Performance
!style="text-align:center;width:13%"| Competition
!style="text-align:center;width:7%"| Performance
|-
| 1987–88
|style="background:silver"|''[[1987–88 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]''
|style="background:silver"|''2nd''
|style="background:silver"|''36''
| N/A
| [[1987–88 John Player Cup|John Player Cup]]
| Semi-final
| No competition
| N/A
|-
| 1988–89
| [[1988–89 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 3rd
| 15
| N/A
| [[1988–89 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Quarter-final
| No competition
| N/A
|-
| 1989–90
|style="background:gold"|'''[[1989–90 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]'''
|style="background:gold"|'''1st'''
|style="background:gold"|'''18'''
| N/A
| [[1989–90 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| 3rd round
| No competition
| N/A
|-
| 1990–91
|style="background:silver"|''[[1990–91 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]''
|style="background:silver"|''2nd''
|style="background:silver"|''19''
| N/A
| [[1990–91 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Quarter-final
| No competition
| N/A
|-
| 1991–92
| [[1991–92 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 7th
| 12
| N/A
| [[1991–92 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| 4th round
| No competition
| N/A
|-
| 1992–93
|style="background:silver"|''[[1992–93 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]''
|style="background:silver"|''2nd''
|style="background:silver"|''22''
| N/A
| [[1992–93 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Semi-final
| No competition
| N/A
|-
| 1993–94
| [[1993–94 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 3rd
| 21
| N/A
| [[1993–94 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| 4th round
| No competition
| N/A
|-
| 1994–95
| [[1994–95 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 3rd
| 26
| N/A
|style="background:silver"|''[[1994–95 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]''
|style="background:silver"|''Runners-up''
| No competition
| N/A
|-
| 1995–96
| [[1995–96 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]
| 4th
| 22
| N/A
| [[1995–96 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| Quarter-final
| No competition
| N/A
|-
| 1996–97
|style="background:gold"|'''[[1996–97 Courage League National Division One|Courage League Division 1]]'''
|style="background:gold"|'''1st'''
|style="background:gold"|'''37'''
| N/A
| [[1996–97 Pilkington Cup|Pilkington Cup]]
| 5th round
| [[1996–97 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
|-
|rowspan=2| 1997–98
|rowspan=2| [[1997–98 Premiership Rugby|Allied Dunbar Premiership]]
|rowspan=2| 9th
|rowspan=2| 17
|rowspan=2| N/A
|style="background:silver"|''[[1997–98 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]''
|style="background:silver"|''Runners-up''
|rowspan=2| [[1997–98 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
|rowspan=2| Quarter-final
|-
| C&G Cup
| Pool Stage
|-
| 1998–99
| [[1998–99 Premiership Rugby|Allied Dunbar Premiership]]
| 5th
| 31
| N/A
|style="background:gold"| '''[[1998–99 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]'''
|style="background:gold"| '''Champions'''
| No English teams
| N/A
|-
| 1999–00
| [[1999–2000 Premiership Rugby|Allied Dunbar Premiership]]
| 7th
| 32
| N/A
|style="background:gold"| '''[[1999–2000 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]'''
|style="background:gold"| '''Champions'''
| [[1999–2000 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2000–01
|style="background:silver"| ''[[2000–01 Premiership Rugby|Zurich Premiership]]''
|style="background:silver"| ''2nd''
|style="background:silver"| ''74''
| N/A
| [[2000–2001 Tetley's Bitter Cup|Tetley's Bitter Cup]]
| 4th round
| [[2000–01 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
|-
| 2001–02
| [[2001–02 Premiership Rugby|Zurich Premiership]]
| 7th
| 54
| N/A
| [[2001–02 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| 6th round
| [[2001–02 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
|-
| 2002–03
|style="background:gold"| '''[[2002–03 Premiership Rugby|Zurich Premiership]]'''
|style="background:gold"| '''2nd'''
|style="background:gold"| '''67'''
|style="background:gold"| '''Champions'''
| [[2002–03 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| 6th round
|style="background:gold"| '''[[2002–03 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]'''
|style="background:gold"| '''Champions'''
|-
| 2003–04
|style="background:gold"| '''[[2003–04 Premiership Rugby|Zurich Premiership]]'''
|style="background:gold"| '''2nd'''
|style="background:gold"| '''73'''
|style="background:gold"| '''Champions'''
| [[2003–04 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|style="background:gold"| '''[[2003–04 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]'''
|style="background:gold"| '''Champions'''
|-
| 2004–05
|style="background:gold"| '''[[2004–05 Premiership Rugby|Zurich Premiership]]'''
|style="background:gold"| '''2nd'''
|style="background:gold"| '''73'''
|style="background:gold"| '''Champions'''
| [[2004–05 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]
| 6th round
| [[2004–05 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
|-
| 2005–06
| [[2005–06 Premiership Rugby|Guinness Premiership]]
| 4th
| 64
| Semi-final
|style="background:gold"| '''[[2005–06 Powergen Cup|Powergen Cup]]'''
|style="background:gold"| '''Champions'''
| [[2005–06 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
|-
| 2006–07
| [[2006–07 Premiership Rugby|Guinness Premiership]]
| 5th
| 61
| –
| [[2006–07 EDF Energy Cup|EDF Energy Cup]]
| 4th in pool
|style="background:gold"| '''[[2006–07 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]'''
|style="background:gold"| '''Champions'''
|-
| 2007–08
|style="background:gold"| '''[[2007–08 Premiership Rugby|Guinness Premiership]]'''
|style="background:gold"| '''2nd'''
|style="background:gold"| '''70'''
|style="background:gold"| '''Champions'''
| [[2007–08 EDF Energy Cup|EDF Energy Cup]]
| Semi-final
| [[2007–08 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
|-
| 2008–09
| [[2008–09 Premiership Rugby|Guinness Premiership]]
| 7th
| 53
| –
| [[2008–09 EDF Energy Cup|EDF Energy Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
| [[2008–09 Heineken Cup|Heineken Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
|-
| 2009–10
| [[2009–10 Premiership Rugby|Guinness Premiership]]
| 5th
| 57
| –
| [[2009–10 LV Cup|LV= Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
| [[2009–10 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Semi-final
|-
| 2010–11
| [[2010–11 Premiership Rugby|Aviva Premiership]]
| 9th
| 43
| –
| [[2010–11 LV Cup|LV= Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
| [[2010–11 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]*
| Quarter-final*
|-
| 2011–12
| [[2011–12 Premiership Rugby|Aviva Premiership]]
| 11th
| 33
| –
| [[2011–12 LV Cup|LV= Cup]]
| 4th in pool
| [[2011–12 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2012–13
| [[2012–13 Premiership Rugby|Aviva Premiership]]
| 8th
| 48
| –
| [[2012–13 LV Cup|LV= Cup]]
| 4th in pool
| [[2012–13 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2013–14
| [[2013–14 Premiership Rugby|Aviva Premiership]]
| 7th
| 49
| –
| [[2013–14 LV Cup|LV= Cup]]
| 4th in pool
| [[2013–14 European Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Semi-final
|-
| 2014–15
| [[2014–15 Premiership Rugby|Aviva Premiership]]
| 6th
| 61
| –
| [[2014–15 LV Cup|LV= Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
| [[2014–15 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2015–16
| [[2015–16 Premiership Rugby|Aviva Premiership]]
| 3rd
| 72
| Semi-final
| No competition
| N/A
| [[2015–16 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Semi-final
|-
| 2016–17
|style="background:silver"| ''[[2016–17 Premiership Rugby|Aviva Premiership]]''
|style="background:silver"| ''1st''
|style="background:silver"| ''84''
|style="background:silver"| ''Runners-up''
| [[2016–17 Anglo-Welsh Cup|Anglo-Welsh Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
| [[2016–17 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Quarter-final
|-
| 2017–18
| [[2017–18 Premiership Rugby|Aviva Premiership]]
| 3rd
| 71
| Semi-final
| [[2017–18 Anglo-Welsh Cup|Anglo-Welsh Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
| [[2017–18 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| 2nd in pool
|-
| 2018–19
| [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]
| 8th
| 51
| –
| [[2018–19 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| 4th in pool
| [[2018–19 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| 4th in pool
|-
| 2019–20
|style="background:silver"| ''[[2019–20 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]''
|style="background:silver"| ''2nd''
|style="background:silver"| ''71''
|style="background:silver"| ''Runners-up''
| [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
| 3rd in pool
| [[2019–20 European Rugby Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| 3rd in pool 
|-
| 2020–21
| [[2020–21 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]
| 8th
| 50
| -
| No competition
| N/A
| [[2020–21 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| Round of 16
|-
|rowspan=2| 2021–22
|rowspan=2| [[2021–22 Premiership Rugby|Gallagher Premiership]]
|rowspan=2| 9th
|rowspan=2| 60
|rowspan=2| —
|rowspan=2| [[2021–22 Premiership Rugby Cup|Premiership Cup]]
|rowspan=2| 3rd in pool
| [[2021–22 European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup]]
| 10th in pool
|-
| [[2021–22 European Rugby Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]]
| Semi-final
|}

<small><span style="background:gold">Gold background</span> denotes champions<br /><span style="background:silver">Silver background</span> denotes runners-up<br /><span style="background:#ffcccc">Pink background</span> denotes relegated</small>

<nowiki>*</nowiki> After dropping into the competition from the [[European Rugby Champions Cup|Champions Cup/Heineken Cup]]

* As [[Wasps FC]] – 1987–1996
* As Wasps RFC – 1996–1999 
* As London Wasps – 1999–2014
* As Wasps Rugby – 2014–2022

==Club honours==

===Wasps RFC===
*'''[[Premiership Rugby]]'''
**'''Champions: (6) [[1989–90 Courage League National Division One|1989–90*]], [[1996–97 English Premiership (rugby union)|1996–97**]], [[2002–03 Premiership Rugby|2002–03^]], [[2003–04 Premiership Rugby|2003–04^]], [[2004–05 Premiership Rugby|2004–05^]], [[2007–08 Premiership Rugby|2007–08^]]'''
**''Runners-up: (6) [[1987–88 Courage League National Division One|1987–88*]], [[1990–91 Courage League National Division One|1990–91*]], [[1992–93 Courage League National Division One|1992–93*]], [[2000–01 Premiership Rugby|2000–01^]], [[2016–17 Premiership Rugby|2016–17**]], [[2019–20 Premiership Rugby|2019–20**]]''
*'''[[European Rugby Champions Cup]]'''
**'''Champions: (2) [[2003–04 Heineken Cup|2003–04^]], [[2006–07 Heineken Cup|2006–07^]]'''
*'''[[European Challenge Cup]]'''
**'''Champions: (1) [[2002–03 European Challenge Cup|2002–03^]]'''
*'''[[Anglo-Welsh Cup]]'''
**'''Champions: (3) [[1998–99 Tetley's Bitter Cup|1998–99**]], [[1999–2000 Tetley's Bitter Cup|1999–2000^]], [[2005–06 Powergen Cup|2005–06^]]'''
**''Runners-up: (4) [[1985–86 John Player Cup|1985–86*]], [[1986–87 John Player Cup|1986–87*]], [[1994–95 Pilkington Cup|1994–95*]], [[1997–98 Tetley's Bitter Cup|1997–98**]]''
*'''[[Middlesex RFU Senior Cup|Middlesex Senior Cup]]'''
**'''Champions: (8) 1973–74*, 1974–75*, 1976–77*, 1977–78*, 1978–79*, 1981–82*, 1983–84*, 1986–87*'''
**''Runners-up: (4) 1975–76*, 1979–80*, 1982–83*, 1985–86*''

===Wasps A===
*'''[[Premiership Rugby Shield]]'''
**'''Champions: (2) 2006–07^, 2007–08^'''
**''Runners-up: (2) 2004–05^, 2008–09^''

===Friendly===
*'''[[Middlesex Sevens]]'''
**'''Champions: (5) 1948*, 1952*, 1985*, 1993*, 2006^'''
**''Runners-up: (4) 1933*, 1951*, 1996*, 2005^''
*'''[[Premiership Rugby Sevens Series]]'''
**'''Champions: (2) 2016**, [[2017 Premiership Rugby Sevens Series|2017**]]'''
**''Runners-up: (2) [[2015 Premiership Rugby Sevens Series|2015**]], [[2018 Premiership Rugby Sevens Series|2018**]]''
<br>
<nowiki>*</nowiki> As [[Wasps FC]] – 1987–1996<br>
<nowiki>**</nowiki> As Wasps RFC – 1996–1999 & 2014–2022<br>
<nowiki>^</nowiki> As London Wasps – 1999–2014

==Head Coach/Director of Rugby==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Name
!Years
!Notes
|-
| ?
|1867–1981
|
|-
|Rob Smith
|1981–1996
|Also London Wasps academy director until 2013
|-
|[[Nigel Melville]]
|1996–2002
| Current Director of Professional Rugby at the RFU
|-
|[[Warren Gatland]]
|2002–2005
| Current Wales head coach
|-
|[[Ian McGeechan]]
|2005–2009
| 
|-
|Tony Hanks
|2009–2011
|
|-
|Leon Holden
|2011
| Interim Director of Rugby until end of 2010–11 season
|-
|[[Dai Young]]
|2011–2020
|
|-
|[[Lee Blackett]]
|2020–2022
|Last head coach
|}

==Ownership==
Irish businessman Derek Richardson became principal shareholder of Wasps group in April 2013, taking the group from the brink of insolvency to administration in October 2022 with over £100m of debt.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/rugby/wasps-wasps-nine-figure-debt-25299319 | title=Wasps' nine-figure debt revealed by chief executive | date=19 October 2022 }}</ref>

==Kit==
On 29 April 2021, Wasps announced a new multi-year deal with Danish sportswear manufacturer [[Hummel International|Hummel]] to become 'technical and retail partner'. The contract, commencing the 2021–22 season, would see Wasps become the first British domestic rugby union team to use the company.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wasps Agree Club-Record Deal With hummel|url=https://www.wasps.co.uk/news/wasps-agree-club-record-deal-with-hummel/|access-date=29 April 2021 |website=wasps.co.uk}}</ref>
 
Previous manufacturers include [[Canterbury of New Zealand|Canterbury]] and [[Kukri Sports|Kukri]]. The first away kit produced by Kukri in 2012 (a hooped blue away shirt) was a change from the white or black and gold hoops traditionally used as a tie in with the clubs chosen charity [[Mind (charity)|MIND]] in a combined effort to help raise the awareness of mental health issues in sport.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://rugbyshirts.net/wasps-announce-apparel-deal-with-kukri-5414.html |title=Wasps Announce Apparel Deal with Kukri |website=Rugby Shirts |access-date=10 December 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729031617/http://rugbyshirts.net/wasps-announce-apparel-deal-with-kukri-5414.html |archive-date=29 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Notable former players==
{{See also|Category:Wasps RFC players}}

===Rugby World Cup===
The following are players which have represented their countries at the [[Rugby World Cup]], whilst playing for Wasps:

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!Tournament
!Players selected
!{{nrut|England}} players
!Other national team players
|-
| [[1987 Rugby World Cup|1987]]
| 6
| [[Rob Andrew]], [[Mark Bailey (rugby union)|Mark Bailey]], [[Huw Davies (rugby union)|Huw Davies]], [[Jeff Probyn]], [[Paul Rendall]], [[Kevin Simms]]
| 
|-
| [[1991 Rugby World Cup|1991]]
| 4
| [[Rob Andrew]], [[Chris Oti]], [[Jeff Probyn]], [[Paul Rendall]]
| 
|-
| [[1995 Rugby World Cup|1995]]
| 2
| [[Rob Andrew]], [[Damien Hopley]]
| 
|-
| [[1999 Rugby World Cup|1999]]
| 6
| [[Lawrence Dallaglio]], [[Martyn Wood]], [[Joe Worsley]]
| [[Andy Reed (rugby union)|Andy Reed]], [[Kenny Logan]] {{flagicon|Scotland}}, [[Trevor Leota]] {{flagicon|Samoa}}
|-
| [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]]
| 6
| [[Stuart Abbott]], [[Lawrence Dallaglio]], [[Josh Lewsey]], [[Simon Shaw]], [[Joe Worsley]]
| [[Kenny Logan]] {{flagicon|Scotland}}
|-
| [[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007]]
| 10
| [[Lawrence Dallaglio]], [[Josh Lewsey]], [[Tom Rees (rugby union, born 1984)|Tom Rees]], [[Paul Sackey]], [[Simon Shaw]], [[Joe Worsley]], [[Phil Vickery (rugby union)|Phil Vickery]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]])
| [[Daniel Leo (rugby union)|Daniel Leo]] {{flagicon|Samoa}}, [[Raphaël Ibañez]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) {{flagicon|France}}, [[Eoin Reddan]] {{flagicon|Ireland|rugby union}}
|-
| [[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011]]
| 9
| [[Steve Thompson (rugby union)|Steve Thompson]], [[Joe Simpson (rugby union, born 1988)|Joe Simpson]]
| [[Genaro Fessia]] {{flagicon|Argentina}}, [[Victor Gresev]], [[Vladislav Korshunov]] ([[Captain (sports)|c]]) {{flagicon|Russia}}, [[Paul Emerick]] {{flagicon|USA}}, [[Tinus du Plessis]], [[Heinz Koll]] {{flagicon|Namibia}}, [[Sakaria Taulafo|Zak Taulafo]] {{flagicon|Samoa}}
|-
| [[2015 Rugby World Cup|2015]]
| 5
| [[James Haskell]], [[Joe Launchbury]]
| [[Bradley Davies]] {{flagicon|Wales}}, [[Lorenzo Cittadini]], [[Andrea Masi]] {{flagicon|Italy}}
|-
| [[2019 Rugby World Cup|2019]]
| 2
| [[Joe Launchbury]]
| [[Matteo Minozzi]] {{flagicon|Italy}}
|}

===Lions tourists===

The following players have been selected to tour with the [[British and Irish Lions|Lions]] while members of Wasps:

* [[1983 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1983]]: [[Nigel Melville]]
* [[1989 British Lions tour to Australia|1989]]: [[Rob Andrew]], [[Chris Oti]]
* [[1993 British Lions tour to New Zealand|1993]]: [[Rob Andrew]]
* [[1997 British Lions tour to South Africa|1997]]: [[Lawrence Dallaglio]]
* [[2001 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2001]]: [[Rob Henderson]], [[Phil Greening]], [[Lawrence Dallaglio]]
* [[2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2005]]: [[Josh Lewsey]], [[Matt Dawson]], [[Lawrence Dallaglio]]
* [[2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa|2009]]: [[Tim Payne (rugby union)|Tim Payne]], [[Phil Vickery (rugby union)|Phil Vickery]], [[Simon Shaw]], [[Joe Worsley]], [[Riki Flutey]]
* [[2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia|2013]]: [[Christian Wade]]
* [[2017 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand|2017]]: [[James Haskell]], [[Elliot Daly]]

==See also==
*[[Coventry R.F.C.|Rugby union in Coventry]]
*[[Rugby union in England]]
*[[Wasps Netball]], Netball Superleague team run by Wasps

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website}}

{{English Premiership (rugby union)}}
{{Original Courage League 1 clubs}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|52|26|53.00|N|1|29|44.00|W|type:landmark|display=title}}

[[Category:Wasps RFC| ]]
[[Category:Premiership Rugby teams]]
[[Category:Rugby union teams in England]]
[[Category:Rugby union clubs in London]]
[[Category:Rugby union in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Rugby clubs established in 1867]]
[[Category:Sport in Coventry]]
[[Category:Sport in the West Midlands (county)]]
[[Category:1867 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Heineken Cup champions]]
[[Category:Defunct rugby union teams in England]]