Rugby Park Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Rugby Park
Construction
The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park "The Theatre of Pies"
Rugby Park (2021)
Rugby Park Location in East Ayrshire
Full name	Rugby Park
Location	Rugby Road, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, Scotland, KA1 2DP
Coordinates	55°36′15″N 4°30′29″W / 55.60417°N 4.50806°W / 55.60417; -4.50806
Public transit	Kilmarnock railway station Kilmarnock bus terminal
Owner	Kilmarnock F.C.
Capacity	17,889
Record attendance	35,995 v Rangers 10 March 1962
Field size	112 yd × 74 yd (102 m × 68 m)
Surface	Artificial – field turf
Opened	1 August 1899
Renovated	1946, 1961, 1994–1995
Architect	Archibald Leitch (1899)
Tenants

Kilmarnock F.C. Kilmarnock Women's F.C.	1899–present

Rugby Park is a famous football stadium in Kilmarnock, Scotland. It is the home ground for Scottish Premiership club Kilmarnock F.C.. The stadium is also known as The BBSP Stadium Rugby Park because of sponsorship.

Rugby Park first opened in 1899. It is one of the largest football stadiums in Scotland. Besides football, it has hosted concerts, rugby union matches, and international football games.

The stadium had a big makeover between 1994 and 1995. It became an all-seater stadium, meaning every fan has a seat. In 2002, a 4-star hotel called the Park Hotel was built next to the stadium.

In 2014, an artificial pitch was put in. Later, in 2019, a special section for "safe standing" was added. The West Stand was renamed the Frank Beattie Stand in 2010. This was to honor Frank Beattie, a former player who led Kilmarnock to victory in 1965.

History of Rugby Park
Stadium Design Features
Other Events at Rugby Park
See also

History of Rugby Park

Early Football Grounds

Before the current Rugby Park, Kilmarnock F.C. played at a few other places. They moved to a ground called Rugby Park in December 1877. This first Rugby Park was not exactly where the stadium is today.

The name "Rugby Park" became official in 1872. The club moved around a bit, playing at places like The Grange. But they returned to a Rugby Park location in 1877.

In 1899, the club moved to a brand new stadium. This is the site where Rugby Park stands today. It has been Kilmarnock Football Club's home ever since.

Building the "New" Rugby Park

The current stadium site was chosen by Ross Quigley, an early director of Kilmarnock. The land was shared with cricket and rugby teams. This connection to rugby gave the stadium its name.

The first international football match at this site was in March 1894. Scotland played against Wales and won 5–2. The original stadium had a running track and a main stand.

The "new" Rugby Park officially opened to fans in 1899. Kilmarnock F.C. played Celtic F.C. in their first game there, which ended in a 2–2 draw. This was Kilmarnock's first match in Scotland's top football league. The famous stadium architect Archibald Leitch designed the main stand.

During World War II in 1940, the stadium was used by the military. It became a place to store fuel. After the war, the stadium needed many repairs. Italian prisoners of war helped to rebuild the seating areas.

In 1953, floodlights were installed at Rugby Park. They were first used in a friendly match between Manchester United F.C. and Kilmarnock. A new grandstand was built in 1961, holding 4,000 fans.

Pitch view of Rugby Park

View of the pitch from the Frank Beattie Stand

Major Reconstruction in the 1990s

Work to rebuild Rugby Park started in May 1994. The old stands were taken down to make way for new ones. Three new stands were built: the Moffat Stand, the Chadwick Stand, and the East Stand.

This big project turned Rugby Park into a modern, all-seated stadium. It could now hold 18,128 spectators. New floodlights were also installed. The rebuilt stadium officially opened on August 8, 1995. An English team, Blackburn Rovers F.C., played Kilmarnock in a friendly match.

Stadium Upgrades and Changes

Safety rules in the 1980s reduced the stadium's capacity. A report in 1990 suggested that all British stadiums should have only seats. Kilmarnock's board decided to redevelop Rugby Park. The last game before the big reconstruction was in May 1994.

In 1998, Rugby Park hosted the last Ayrshire Cup final. Kilmarnock won 4–2 against Ayr United. In 1999, undersoil heating was added to the pitch. This helps to keep the grass healthy in cold weather.

To bring in more money, the Park Hotel opened next to the stadium in 2002. It has rooms, a conference center, and a restaurant. A new sports bar also opened in the West Stand in 2004.

In 2014, a new artificial playing surface was installed. This was later updated to a hybrid artificial surface in 2019. The club plans to replace the artificial pitch with natural grass in 2025. This will happen if a new training facility is ready.

In 2019, a "safe-standing" area was approved and installed. This allows fans to stand safely during games. Plans for more renovations were announced in 2020. These include a new entrance and community facilities. Offices were added to the Moffat Stand in 2021-22, which slightly reduced the stadium's seating capacity to 15,552.

Panorama of Rugby Park looking towards the Chadwick (Away) Stand

Stadium Design Features

Rugby Park is a modern stadium with some unique design elements. Most of the stands have open spaces underneath them. The snack bars and toilets are located closer to the pitch. The rest of the area is open, showing the steel structure.

The turnstiles (where you scan your ticket) are built into a wall around the stadium. This creates large open areas before you enter the stands. This design is useful for fans who want to step outside at half-time.

The East Stand is a bit shorter than the pitch. This is because there are houses behind it, so they couldn't build it longer. This gap is often filled with flags. Special areas are available for disabled supporters in the end stands.

Looking towards the Moffat Stand (right) and the East Stand (left).

Front facade of Rugby Park showing the Frank Beatie Stand

Ground view of the West Stand (left) and the Moffat Stand (right)

Other Events at Rugby Park

Rugby Union Matches

Rugby Park has hosted two international Scotland rugby games. They played against Tonga in 2014 and Georgia in 2016. The match against Tonga was special because it was the first international rugby game on an artificial pitch for a top-tier nation.

Concerts and Music Events

The stadium has also been a venue for big music concerts.

Famous singer Rod Stewart performed at Rugby Park in 2016.
Elton John also held a concert there in June 2005.

International Football Games

Rugby Park has hosted four international football matches for the Scotland national football team. Usually, Scotland plays at Hampden Park. But Rugby Park was used when Hampden Park's south stand was being rebuilt.

Scotland International Matches at Rugby Park

24 March 1894	Scotland	5–2	Wales	1894 British Home Championship Attendance: 10,000
	Berry 40' Barker 44' Chambers 70' Alexander 75' Johnstone 85'	Report	Morris Morris	1894 British Home Championship Attendance: 10,000