Active Club Network UK
Active Club Network UK
Last updated: 6 June 2026
Overview
The Active Club Network is a decentralized, transnational neo-fascist accelerationist sub-community that combines physical fitness training, martial arts, and combat sports with white supremacist ideology. Inspired by Robert Rundo's defunct Rise Above Movement (RAM), the network was formally established in January 2021 and represents what analysts call "White Nationalism 3.0" - a modern strategy emphasizing decentralized, local organizing that prioritizes imperceptibility to law enforcement.
In the UK, the network operates primarily through Active Club England (ACE) and regional chapters, with at least 100 confirmed members, 8 chapters, and over 6,000 Telegram subscribers. The group has been linked to the 2024 summer riots, international fascist summits, and a Westminster murder investigation.
1. Origins & Ideology
Robert Rundo & Rise Above Movement
- Robert Rundo founded the Rise Above Movement (RAM) in California in 2017 as a street-fighting white supremacist group.
- RAM members were arrested in 2018 following violence at political rallies.
- Following widespread arrests, Rundo established the Active Club model in 2020-21 as a harder-to-detect successor.
- The model prioritizes local recruitment, physical training, and avoiding obvious Nazi symbolism to evade law enforcement scrutiny.
The Active Club Model
Core strategy:
- Decentralized cells operating independently but sharing ideology and branding
- Fitness and combat sports as recruitment front and cover
- Anti-detection guidelines: members told to avoid obvious Nazi symbols, use fake names, maintain "respectable" appearance
- Mixed martial arts (MMA), boxing, weightlifting as core activities
- Telegram and encrypted channels for coordination
Ideology:
- White supremacist accelerationism - believes Western society is collapsing and must be hastened toward "white genocide"
- Preparation for "race war" through physical and combat readiness
- "Build strength, honor, and kinship" as public-facing message
- Neo-Nazi, fascist, anti-Semitic core beliefs hidden behind fitness branding
Accelerationism & Terrorgram
- Active Clubs connected to accelerationist ideology - the belief that societal collapse should be accelerated through violence
- Terrorgram - Telegram channels sharing terrorist propaganda, manifestos, and attack methodologies
- Network shares ideological overlap with proscribed groups like National Action and Atomwaffen Division
- Members encouraged to prepare for societal breakdown and "enforce their will on the world"
2. UK Presence: Active Club England
Structure & Scale
- Active Club England (ACE) is the primary UK chapter
- At least 100 confirmed members as of February 2025
- 8 regional chapters across England
- 6,000+ Telegram subscribers across UK channels (BBC investigation)
- Described by Neil Basu (former head of UK counterterrorism policing) as the successor to National Action (neo-Nazi group proscribed in 2016)
Known Chapters & Locations
London:
- Training sessions held in Vauxhall, south London - close to MI6 headquarters
- Public park workouts documented by ITV News undercover investigation
Midlands:
- Active Club Midlands exposed by HOPE not hate (October 2025)
- Described as "fascist fight club"
- Fuses combat training with extremist ideology
Scotland:
- Active recruitment targeting young Scots
- Multiple Telegram channels created since late 2025
- The National (Scotland) reported increasing targeting of Scottish youth
Wales:
- Connected to South Wales Police investigation following BBC undercover documentary (January 2025)
- Links to Patriotic Alternative Welsh members
Other regions:
- Chapters operating across England, specific locations not publicly disclosed for security reasons
3. Major Investigations & Exposures
BBC Investigation (October 2024)
"Far-right group using sports to 'build militia', experts warn"
- BBC News investigation revealed Active Club using sports clubs to ready followers for violence
- Experts warned the group was building a militia under the guise of fitness
- Highlighted links to white supremacist ideology and accelerationist networks
- Counter-terrorism experts raised concerns about radicalization potential
ITV News Undercover Investigation (February 2025)
"Inside Britain's fascist fight club"
- Six-month undercover infiltration of Active Club England
- Reporter documented:
- Training sessions in Vauxhall park, near MI6 headquarters
- Members preparing for "race war"
- Boxing, MMA, and fitness used to recruit young people
- Fake names used to avoid detection
- Anti-detection guidelines enforced
- 100+ members gathered for training events
- Group described as following blueprint from US and European neo-Nazi networks
- ITV News secretly filmed members making extremist statements
Key findings:
- Group masquerading as fitness club while building far-right militia
- Training sessions held "in plain sight" in public spaces
- Members radicalized through combination of physical training and ideological indoctrination
- Network grew significantly during 2024 summer riots
HOPE not hate: Midlands Exposed (October 2025)
"Active Club Midlands: Fascist Fight Club Exposed"
- Investigation into Midlands chapter
- Documented fusion of combat training with extremist ideology
- Identified "new generation of fascists" using MMA and fitness as recruitment tool
- Highlighted how chapters operate semi-independently while sharing branding and ideology
ITV News: Going Global (November 2025)
"Active Club and Vanguard Britannica: How British Neo-Nazis are going global"
- 26-year-old from Leicestershire led British delegation to highest-level fascist meeting in America
- Vanguard Britannica - linked to Active Club England, also neo-Nazi group
- Documented British neo-Nazis establishing international connections
- Network recruiting "fighting-age white British men"
- Members trained by American white supremacists (The Telegraph, November 2025)
Buckingham Palace connection:
- Leading member of neo-Nazi fight club employed by Buckingham Palace
- Showed royal family's private art collection to visitors
- Exposed by The Times (November 2025)
4. Links to Violence & Criminal Activity
2024 Summer Riots
- Active Club England exploited unrest of summer 2024 riots to expand
- Became one of Britain's largest white supremacist networks following the riots
- Used chaos to recruit and radicalize new members
- ITV News investigation documented growth during this period
Westminster Murder Investigation
- Police scrutiny after Westminster killing linked to Active Club radicalisation
- BritBrief investigation (2025-26) revealed neo-fascist network under investigation
- Murder linked to radicalizing influence on new members
- Charlie Kirk's controversial ties to the movement examined
- Counter-terrorism police monitoring connections
Arrests (April 2025)
- Man arrested following ITV News investigation
- Arrest connected to white supremacist network activities
- Police action followed six-month undercover exposure
- South Wales Police also launched investigation into Welsh connections
5. International Connections
US Network
- Active Club Network originated in United States
- Robert Rundo remains central figure, coordinating internationally
- British members traveled to US for fascist summits
- American white supremacists training British members (The Telegraph)
- US Congress held hearing on Active Clubs (May 2026) - described as "white supremacy's new, dangerous frontier"
European Network
- Active Clubs active across Europe: France, Germany, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe
- Vanguard Britannica - British group with European connections
- Transnational coordination through Telegram and encrypted channels
- Shared branding, ideology, and recruitment strategies
Intelligence Monitoring
- Western intelligence agencies monitoring Active Clubs as international white supremacist movement
- EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation published guidance on Active Clubs
- Counter Extremism Project tracking network globally
- Europol and national counter-terrorism units monitoring
6. Recruitment & Radicalization
Target Demographics
- Young men (18-30) primary recruitment target
- Fitness enthusiasts, martial arts practitioners, sports club members
- Individuals disillusioned with mainstream politics
- Those seeking community and belonging
Recruitment Strategy
Public-facing:
- Fitness and combat sports as entry point
- "Build strength, honor, and kinship" messaging
- Social media presence emphasizing physical culture
- Avoidance of obvious extremist symbols
Radicalization process:
- Initial contact through fitness events and training
- Gradual introduction of ideological content
- Telegram channels for deeper indoctrination
- Terrorgram content shared in encrypted spaces
- Preparation for "race war" as ultimate goal
Anti-Detection Guidelines
Members instructed to:
- Use fake names and avoid real identities online
- Maintain "respectable" appearance in public
- Avoid obvious Nazi symbols, tattoos, or clothing
- Present as fitness enthusiasts, not extremists
- Operate in small, decentralized cells
- Use encrypted communication channels
7. Funding & Resources
Funding Sources
- Self-funded by members (gym memberships, equipment, travel)
- Merchandise sales - branded clothing, patches, accessories
- Cryptocurrency - decentralized funding to avoid detection
- US connections - financial support from American network
- Crowdfunding - occasional campaigns for specific events
Resources & Infrastructure
- No central headquarters - decentralized model
- Use public parks, commercial gyms, private spaces
- Telegram channels for coordination and propaganda
- Video content production for recruitment
- International travel for summits and training
8. Law Enforcement Response
UK Counter-Terrorism
- South Wales Police launched investigation following BBC documentary (January 2025)
- National Crime Agency (NCA) monitoring network
- Counter-terrorism units tracking connections to proscribed groups
- Neil Basu (former counter-terrorism head) identified as National Action successor
Arrests & Prosecutions
- April 2025: Man arrested following ITV investigation
- Ongoing investigations into network activities
- Monitoring of Telegram channels and encrypted communications
- Cooperation with international law enforcement
Challenges
- Decentralized structure makes prosecution difficult
- Anti-detection guidelines effective at avoiding obvious extremism
- Fitness front provides plausible deniability
- International coordination complicates investigations
- Balancing civil liberties with security concerns
9. Links to Other Extremist Groups
Patriotic Alternative
- Active Club members connected to Patriotic Alternative (PA)
- PA leader Mark Collett praised fitness-focused approach
- Shared membership and overlapping events
- Both groups emphasize physical training and "white preservation"
Blood & Honour
- Historical connections to neo-Nazi music network
- Shared ideological foundations
- Overlapping membership in some regions
Proscribed Groups
- National Action - Active Club described as successor
- Atomwaffen Division - ideological overlap, some shared members
- Combat 18 - historical connections to neo-Nazi violence
- System Resistance Network - linked to accelerationist ideology
Vanguard Britannica
- Separate but linked neo-Nazi group
- Also preparing for "race war"
- Trained members in combat across UK
- Unfurled anti-Zionist banners above British roads
- Connected to Active Club England
10. Expert Analysis & Warnings
Counter-Terrorism Experts
Neil Basu (former UK counter-terrorism head):
- Active Club England is successor to National Action
- Represents evolution of neo-Nazi organizing
- Harder to detect than previous generations
Alexander Ritzmann (Counter Extremism Project):
- Active Clubs ramping up recruitment efforts since late 2025
- Multiple Telegram channels created targeting youth
- Represents "white supremacy's new, dangerous frontier"
The Conversation (August 2025):
- Active Clubs are "white supremacy's new, dangerous frontier"
- Merge extremist ideology with fitness and combat
- Harder to detect form of white supremacist organizing
Academic Research
GNET Research (July 2024):
- "Accelerationism: The Active Club Network" report
- Documented transnational neo-fascist accelerationist sub-community
- Prioritizes imperceptibility to law enforcement
Congressional Testimony (May 2026):
- US House Judiciary Committee hearing on Active Clubs
- Described as "harder-to-detect form of white supremacist organizing"
- Merges extremist ideology with fitness and combat training
11. Media Coverage & Public Awareness
Major Investigations
- BBC News (October 2024) - "build militia" warning
- ITV News (February 2025) - six-month undercover investigation
- HOPE not hate (October 2025) - Midlands chapter exposed
- The Telegraph (November 2025) - American training connections
- The Times (November 2025) - Buckingham Palace employment
- ITV News (November 2025) - international fascist summit
- The National (Scotland) (2025-26) - Scottish recruitment
Public Response
- Counter-extremism organizations raising awareness
- Community groups monitoring local activities
- Sports clubs and gyms advised to be vigilant
- Parents and educators warned about recruitment tactics
12. Ongoing Threat Assessment
Current Status (2026)
- Network continues to operate and expand
- New chapters forming across UK
- International connections strengthening
- Recruitment targeting younger demographics
- Law enforcement monitoring but prosecution difficult
Future Concerns
- Potential for lone-actor attacks inspired by network
- Radicalization through fitness and sports communities
- International coordination for violence
- Evolution of tactics to avoid detection
- Exploitation of social and political tensions
13. Key Figures
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Rundo | Network founder | Based in US, coordinates internationally, founded Rise Above Movement (2017) |
| 26-year-old (Leicestershire) | Vanguard Britannica leader | Led British delegation to US fascist summit (November 2025) |
| Buckingham Palace employee | Leading member | Showed royal art collection, exposed by The Times |
14. Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Robert Rundo founds Rise Above Movement (RAM) in California |
| 2018 | RAM members arrested following political rally violence |
| January 2021 | Active Club Network formally established |
| Summer 2024 | UK riots - Active Club England exploits unrest, grows significantly |
| October 2024 | BBC investigation warns of "militia building" |
| January 2025 | BBC Wales Investigates "Unmasked: Extreme Far Right" - South Wales Police launch investigation |
| February 2025 | ITV News six-month undercover investigation published |
| April 2025 | Man arrested following ITV investigation |
| October 2025 | HOPE not hate exposes Midlands chapter |
| November 2025 | ITV News documents British neo-Nazis at US fascist summit; Buckingham Palace connection exposed; Telegraph reports American training |
| May 2026 | US Congress hearing on Active Clubs |
| 2025-26 | Westminster murder linked to Active Club radicalisation |
15. Sources
- BBC News - "Far-right group using sports to 'build militia'" (October 2024)
- ITV News - "Inside Britain's fascist fight club" undercover investigation (February 2025)
- ITV News - "Active Club and Vanguard Britannica: How British Neo-Nazis are going global" (November 2025)
- HOPE not hate - "Active Club Midlands: Fascist Fight Club Exposed" (October 2025)
- The Telegraph - "British fascists trained by American white supremacists" (November 2025)
- The Times - "Neo-Nazi welcomed visitors to Buckingham Palace" (November 2025)
- The National (Scotland) - "How a neo-Nazi fight club is increasingly targeting young Scots" (2025-26)
- Wikipedia - Active Clubs article
- ADL (Anti-Defamation League) - Active Club Network backgrounder (January 2023)
- Counter Extremism Project - Active Clubs threat assessment
- GNET Research - "Accelerationism: The Active Club Network" (July 2024)
- US Congress House Judiciary Committee - Active Clubs hearing (May 2026)
- BritBrief - "Far-Right 'Active Clubs' Face Scrutiny After Westminster Murder" (2025-26)
- AA (Anadolu Agency) - "Neo-Nazi group's 'fitness club' uncovered preparing for 'race war' in UK" (February 2025)
- Metro - "The 'fight night' white supremacist groups preparing for conflict" (January 2025)
- The Conversation - "Active Clubs are white supremacy's new, dangerous frontier" (August 2025)
- EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation - Active Clubs guidance
- Europol - ENFAST network monitoring
This document tracks the Active Club Network's presence in the UK. The network represents a significant evolution in neo-Nazi organizing, combining fitness culture with white supremacist accelerationism. Verify information against primary sources before citing.