Twickenham Stoop facts for kids
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| Full name | Twickenham Stoop Stadium |
|---|---|
| Location | Twickenham, London United Kingdom |
| Coordinates | 51°27′1″N 0°20′39″W / 51.45028°N 0.34417°W |
| Public transit |  Whitton Twickenham |
| Owner | Harlequin Estates (Twickenham) Limited |
| Capacity | 14,800 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1963 |
| Opened | 1963 |
| Tenants | |
| Rugby Union Harlequins (1963–present) London Scottish (1998–1999) London Irish (1999–2000; 2020) Rugby League London Broncos (1997–1999, 2006–2013) |
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Twickenham Stoop Stadium, often called The Stoop, is a sports stadium in south-west London, England. It's right across the road from the much larger Twickenham Stadium. This stadium is the home ground for the Harlequins rugby union team, who play in the Premiership Rugby league. The Stoop can hold up to 14,800 fans.
Contents
History of The Stoop
Harlequins' Early Home
Back in 1906, the Harlequins rugby team was invited to use the new national stadium in Twickenham by the Rugby Football Union. In those days, only a few international games were played there each season. Soon, the RFU ground became the main home for the Harlequin Football Club.
How The Stoop Began
In 1963, Harlequins bought a 14-acre athletics ground. This land was just across the road from the main Twickenham Stadium. It became the Harlequins' training area. For many years, it was known as the Stoop Memorial Ground. It was named after Adrian Stoop, a famous former England player and Harlequins club president. In 2005, the club officially changed its name to Twickenham Stoop Stadium. However, most people still call it simply The Stoop.
Exploring The Stoop Today
The stadium has four main stands, each with its own features for fans and players.
The Charles Stanley Stand
This stand, also known as the West Stand, was built for the 2005–06 season. It's the main stand at The Stoop and can hold about 4,000 people. Here, you'll find the changing rooms for the players. There are also special executive boxes, the club's offices, and a club shop. A scoreboard and a gantry for TV cameras are located at the top of this stand.
The DHL Stand
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The DHL Stand, or East Stand, also holds around 4,000 fans. It was the first stand to be built during the stadium's big makeover in 1997. This stand has corporate boxes and the main public bar. It's also home to the "Mighty Quins Village," a fun area for children with bouncy castles and face painting. After matches, a live band often plays on a stage in the main public bar.
The Fullers London Pride Stand
This stand, previously called the South Stand, opened for the 2009–10 season. It has new restrooms and a special bar called the Quins Head. This bar sells local beers like Fullers London Pride. A clock for the match is also located at the back of this stand.
The North Stand
The North Stand is a temporary structure, meaning it's not meant to last forever. It was built for the 2011–12 season and can hold about 2,000 people. It's the only stand with supporting pillars. In 2022, new restrooms and an indoor seating area were added.
In the corner between the North and Charles Stanley Stands, there's a memorial for Nick Duncombe. He was a talented rugby player for Harlequins and England who sadly passed away in 2003.
Stadium Upgrades
The official name of the ground changed in July 2005 from Stoop Memorial Ground to Twickenham Stoop Stadium.
In 2012, Harlequins started a big project to improve The Stoop. They deep-cleaned all four stands and installed netting to keep pigeons away. They also began replacing old seats and decorating public areas, including the restrooms. Four new turnstiles were built to make it easier for fans to enter. A new sound system was installed, and the hospitality areas were updated. The North car park was also resurfaced.
Future Plans for The Stoop
In 2017, Harlequins shared ideas for building a brand new, modern stadium. The plan was for a 25,000-seat stadium on the same site. Architects from Populous are leading this project. The club is still talking with the local community and the Richmond Council about these plans.
Rugby League Games
The Stoop has also been home to a rugby league team called the London Broncos. They played there in the mid-1990s and again from 2006 to 2013. In 2006, The Stoop even hosted both a rugby union match and a rugby league game on the same day! The stadium crew quickly changed the field markings and advertising between games.
From 2006 to 2011, The Stoop hosted the yearly Rugby League Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge Universities. In 2009, a big international rugby league game was played here. It was between New Zealand and Australia, and 12,360 people watched the exciting 20-all draw. The London Broncos returned to play a Super League match at The Stoop in 2024.
Women's International Rugby
The Stoop has been an important venue for women's rugby. It hosted the final of the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup.
In 2015, it hosted a World Rugby Women's Sevens Series event. Most of the matches were at The Stoop, with the final games at Twickenham Stadium. The Stoop is now a regular place for England Women's rugby games, including Six Nations and Autumn International Series matches. In 2016, it hosted the Women's Premiership final for the first time.
Concerts at The Stoop
Since 2017, The Stoop has also become a place for music concerts. This helps the stadium host different kinds of events, not just sports. Famous artists like Elton John and Little Mix have performed here.
See also
In Spanish: Twickenham Stoop para niños
- Harlequin Football Club
- Harlequin Ladies Football Club
- Twickenham Stadium
