Twickenham Stadium facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Twickenham Stadium
Allianz Stadium Twickenham

Billy Williams' Cabbage Patch The Cabbage Patch Twickers Headquarters HQ The Big Stoop
Aerial view of Twickenham Stadium
Location	200 Whitton Road, Twickenham, London, TW2 7BA
Coordinates	51°27′21″N 0°20′29″W / 51.45583°N 0.34139°W / 51.45583; -0.34139
Public transit	Twickenham
Owner	Rugby Football Union
Executive suites	150
Capacity	82,000 (rugby) 75,000 (American football)
Field size	125 m × 70 m
Surface	Desso GrassMaster
Construction
Built	1907; 118 years ago (1907)
Opened	2 October 1909; 115 years ago (1909-10-02)
Renovated	2005–2008
Architect	John Bradley
Tenants
England national rugby union team Harlequins (2008–present; selected matches) Bath Rugby (2017–2019, selected matches)

Twickenham Stadium is a famous rugby union stadium in Twickenham, London, England. It is often called Twickenham or, for sponsorship reasons, the Allianz Stadium Twickenham. The Rugby Football Union (RFU), which runs English rugby, owns the stadium and has its main offices there. It is the official home stadium for the England national rugby union team's home games.

Twickenham is the biggest rugby union stadium in the world. It is also the second largest stadium in the United Kingdom, after Wembley Stadium, and the fourth largest in Europe. Many important rugby games happen here, like Premiership Rugby matches and the annual Big Game for the Harlequins team. It has also hosted European Rugby Champions Cup games and even NFL London Games in 2016 and 2017.

Beyond sports, Twickenham Stadium has been a stage for huge concerts. Famous artists like Rihanna, Iron Maiden, U2, Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones, and Lady Gaga have performed there.

In August 2024, the stadium was renamed Allianz Stadium Twickenham. This was part of a long-term deal with the insurance company Allianz.

About Twickenham Stadium

Twickenham is known as "the Home of Rugby" because it's so important to the sport. The RFU owns and runs the stadium, which hosts rugby union matches all year. The English rugby union team plays almost all its home games here. This includes their Six Nations matches and games against teams from the Southern Hemisphere, usually in November.

Key Rugby Events

Twickenham hosts many other rugby union events besides national team games. It is the venue for the World Rugby Sevens Series' annual London event. It also holds the final of the Premiership Rugby competition. The stadium is home to Harlequins' popular Big Game around Christmas and another big match in late spring. Other important games include the The Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge universities, and the Army Navy Match.

Stadium History

The RFU decided to buy its own ground after seeing how popular rugby matches were at other venues. In 1907, they bought a piece of land in Twickenham for £5,500. This land used to be a market garden where cabbages grew, which is why the stadium is sometimes called "the Cabbage Patch." The first stands were built in 1908.

The very first game at Twickenham was between Harlequins and Richmond on October 2, 1909. The first international match, between England and Wales, took place on January 15, 1910. At that time, the stadium could hold 20,000 people. During World War I, the ground was used for grazing animals.

Starting an Attack, a painting of the England v Wales rugby union match at Twickenham in 1931

In 1926, the first Middlesex Sevens tournament was held at Twickenham. The first The Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge universities also took place here in 1927. In 1938, the England versus Scotland match was the first rugby game ever shown live on television by BBC Television.

The "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" Song

A famous tradition at Twickenham started in 1988. During a match where England was playing Ireland, a player named Chris Oti scored three tries. A group of schoolboys began singing the song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" every time he scored. Other fans joined in, and since then, it has become a popular song sung by England supporters at home games.

Hosting Rugby World Cups

Twickenham has hosted many Rugby World Cup matches. It was a venue for the 1991, 1999, and 2015 World Cups. It hosted the finals in both 1991 and 2015. The stadium was known as 'Fortress Twickenham' for a while because England had a long winning streak there from 1999 to 2004.

In May 2023, during a Premiership Rugby Final, some protesters briefly entered the pitch. Players helped security staff remove them, and they were later arrested.

Stadium Upgrades

The South Stand before redevelopment, April 2004

The South Stand during redevelopment

The South Stand after redevelopment, April 2008

Twickenham Stadium has been improved many times since it was first bought in 1907. New stands were built in 1921 and 1927, increasing the number of seats. In 1932, a new West Stand was finished, which also became the new home for the RFU offices.

Major rebuilding happened from the 1980s to the mid-1990s. The South Stand was rebuilt in 1981, and the North Stand was expanded in 1990. By 1995, the stadium could hold 75,000 people, all with seats.

More recently, between 2005 and 2008, the South Stand was redeveloped again. This increased the stadium's capacity to 82,000. This upgrade also added a four-star hotel, VIP suites, a performing arts area, and a new rugby shop.

The East Stand redevelopment completed in 2018.

The East Stand was also upgraded in 2018. This new stand offers special hospitality areas for match days and six floors for events. These improvements made the stadium even more modern and safe.

Rugby World Cup Matches

Twickenham Stadium has proudly hosted many Rugby World Cup matches. It was a key venue in 1991, 1999, and 2015. It hosted the final matches in 1991 and 2015. The stadium is also a host venue for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup and will host the final match on September 27, 2025.

1991 Rugby World Cup Games

1999 Rugby World Cup Games

2015 Rugby World Cup Games

2025 Women's Rugby World Cup Games

Twickenham Stadium is one of eight venues for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup. It will host the Bronze final and the Final on September 27, 2025.

Other Events at Twickenham

Twickenham Stadium is not just for rugby; it also hosts many other exciting events.

Concerts and Music Events

An Iron Maiden concert in 2008

Because of construction delays at Wembley Stadium in the past, some big concerts were moved to Twickenham. The Rolling Stones played several shows here, and their 2003 DVD Four Flicks included a concert from Twickenham. Other famous bands like Genesis, The Police, Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden, and R.E.M. have also performed.

Lady Gaga performed two sold-out shows in 2012, with over 100,000 people attending. One of her shows set a record for the fastest-selling stadium show in UK history, selling out in just 50 seconds! Rihanna also performed two shows in 2013. The stadium can hold up to 50,000 people for concerts.

American Football Games

Twickenham Stadium has also hosted NFL London Games. In 2015, the RFU and America's National Football League agreed to host at least three NFL games over three years. The first game was in October 2016.

List of NFL London Games at Twickenham Stadium
Year	Date	UK Broadcaster	Designated Home	Score	Designated Away	Attendance
2016	23 October	BBC	Los Angeles Rams	10–17	New York Giants	74,121
2017	22 October	Sky Sports	Los Angeles Rams	33–0	Arizona Cardinals	73,736
	29 October	BBC	Cleveland Browns	16–33	Minnesota Vikings	74,237

Rugby League Matches

Teams walking out at Twickenham Stadium for the 2006 Challenge Cup Final

Twickenham Stadium was a host for the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. It hosted the opening match between England and Australia. This was the first rugby league match ever played at Twickenham.

While Wembley Stadium was being rebuilt, Twickenham also hosted the Challenge Cup Final in 2001 and 2006. St Helens won both finals held at Twickenham.

Car Rugby

The TV show Top Gear once used the pitch for a game of "car rugby." They used small Kia Ceed cars as backs and larger Kia Sportage cars as forwards.

World Rugby Museum

Twickenham Stadium (centre) and Stoop Stadium (top right) from the north in August 2015

Inside Twickenham Stadium, you can find the World Rugby Museum. This museum tells the story of rugby from all over the world, not just in England. It teaches visitors about the sport's history, including famous figures like William Webb Ellis. The museum has interactive displays and special exhibitions.

Some unique items on display include an English rugby union jersey from the very first international rugby match in 1871. Until 2005, it also displayed the William Webb Ellis Cup, which England won at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. You can also take tours of Twickenham Stadium through the museum.

See also

In Spanish: Estadio de Twickenham para niños

• Sport in London
• Rugby union in England
• List of rugby union stadiums by capacity