XAUUSD London Session Strategy (2026): A Clean SMC Playbook
The London Session is where XAUUSD (Gold) often creates the real intraday structure: session highs/lows, liquidity raids, and the first major displacement of the day. This guide gives you a repeatable Smart Money Concepts (SMC) framework for trading London with discipline: session range → liquidity draw → POI → confirmation → execution.
Reminder: This is educational content. Gold is volatile and can move fast around news. Always use strict risk management and avoid overtrading.
Why the London Session matters for XAUUSD
London brings fresh liquidity and participation. For Gold, that often means: Asia range sweeps, sharp displacement candles, and clean fair value gaps (FVGs) that become tradable POIs.
- Range creation: Asia forms a tight range; London often expands it.
- Liquidity hunting: obvious highs/lows become magnets (BSL/SSL).
- Directional clarity: first real BOS/CHOCH can set the intraday bias.
The London Session SMC Model (simple and repeatable)
1) Mark the Asia range
Identify the Asia session high and low (your broker time may differ). This is your first reference range for the day.
2) Identify the liquidity draw
Which side is likely to be taken first: buy-side (highs) or sell-side (lows)? Liquidity is the magnet; your entry is the timing tool.
3) Wait for displacement
After a sweep, look for a strong impulse candle that creates an imbalance (FVG). This is the market showing intent.
4) Execute with confirmation
Use CHOCH/BOS on your execution timeframe (M15/M5) and enter on a retest of the fresh OB/FVG. No chasing.
Execution rules:
- Focus on one sweep (Asia high or Asia low) — not both.
- Entry is on retest after displacement, not on the spike.
- Stops go beyond the sweep extreme / POI invalidation.
- Targets: opposite side liquidity, then nearest HTF key level.
Two London Session Setups for XAUUSD
Setup A: Asia High Sweep → Sell (reversal)
- London raids the Asia high (buy-side liquidity).
- Strong displacement down creates an FVG.
- CHOCH confirms flow shift on M15/M5.
- Sell the FVG/OB retest; stop above the sweep.
- Target Asia low / SSL or the next HTF support.
Setup B: Asia Low Sweep → Buy (reversal)
- London raids the Asia low (sell-side liquidity).
- Strong displacement up creates an FVG.
- CHOCH confirms flow shift on M15/M5.
- Buy the FVG/OB retest; stop below the sweep.
- Target Asia high / BSL or the next HTF resistance.
Risk management for the London Session
- Fixed risk: keep it small and consistent (example: 0.5%–1%).
- Max attempts: limit to 1–2 trades in London to avoid chop.
- News awareness: if high-impact USD news is near, reduce size or stand aside.
- One clean model: the goal is A+ trades, not constant screen time.
FAQ: XAUUSD London Session Trading
What time is the London session for Gold?
It depends on your broker timezone, but London typically starts around the UK morning. Use your TradingView session markings consistently and track the same window every day.
Is the Asia range sweep always required?
No. But it is one of the cleanest repeatable models. If there is no clear range, reduce trades and wait for structure to form.
What timeframe should I execute on?
Use H4/H1 for bias and POIs, then execute on M15/M5 with CHOCH/BOS confirmation and a retest entry. The best timeframe is the one you can execute consistently.
All A.K Pro Traders content and indicators are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment or trading advice. Trading leveraged products such as forex, indices, commodities and crypto involves substantial risk. Always perform your own research, use appropriate risk management and consider speaking with a licensed financial professional before making any trading or investment decisions.
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General Risk Disclaimer
All A.K Pro Traders content and indicators are provided for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment or trading advice. Trading leveraged products such as forex, indices, commodities and crypto involves substantial risk. Always perform your own research, use appropriate risk management and consider speaking with a licensed financial professional before making any trading or investment decisions.