Twickenham Stadium

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Lore & Background

The stadium, owned and operated by the RFU, hosts rugby union fixtures all year round. It is the home of the English rugby union team, who play nearly all their home games at the stadium. Twickenham hosts England's home Six Nations matches, as well as games against touring teams from the Southern Hemisphere, usually annually in November. The Middlesex Sevens, Premiership Rugby fixtures, Anglo-Welsh Cup matches, Harlequins' annual Big Game, the Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge universities and European Rugby Champions Cup games have been played there. It has also been used as the venue for the Rugby Football League's Challenge Cup Final in 2001 and 2006, and the NFL London Games in 2016 and 2017. The stadium has hosted concerts by artists such as Rihanna, Iron Maiden, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Genesis, U2, Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones, the Police, Eagles, R.E.M., Eminem, Lady Gaga, Metallica, Depeche Mode and NSPPD Prayer Conference.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell softly on the pristine grass as the clock ticked down in the final minute of the Six Nations clash. The roar of eighty thousand fans at Twickenham was a physical force, shaking the very foundations of the historic stands. In the tunnel, the England captain wiped mud from his face, listening to the chant that had risen since 1909—a sound that connected him to every player who had ever stood on this hallowed turf. As he stepped out onto the pitch, the weight of history pressed against his shoulders, yet the oval ball in his hands felt light, ready to write a new chapter in the stadium's legendary saga.

Reader's Guide

Twickenham hosts England's home Six Nations matches, as well as games against touring teams from the Southern Hemisphere, usually annually in November. Apart from its relationship with the national team, Twickenham is the venue for a number of other domestic and international rugby union matches. It hosts the annual London leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series, the Cup (championship) final, the third-place match of the annual London leg of the World Rugby Women's Sevens Series, and the domestic Middlesex Sevens competition. It is also the venue for the Premiership Rugby final as well as Harlequins' Big Game at Christmas time and an additional annual fixture hosted by Harlequins in late spring. Anglo-Welsh Cup, Heineken Cup and Champions Cup finals have been held here, and the stadium also hosts The Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge (1921–2023), the English schools' Daily Mail Cup Final and the Army Navy Match, which forms the culmination of the annual Inter-Services Competition.

Did You Know?

• Twickenham is the world's largest rugby union stadium.
• The stadium is affectionately known as the Cabbage Patch because the land was originally used to grow cabbages.
• The first match at Twickenham was between Harlequins and Richmond on 2 October 1909.
• The first international match at Twickenham was England vs. Wales on 15 January 1910.
• During World War I, the ground was used for cattle, horse and sheep grazing.

Origins and Evolution

The site now revered as the global capital of rugby union was once a humble market garden in Twickenham, London. In 1907, driven by the success of sold-out matches at Crystal Palace, RFU officials William Williams and William Cail purchased this ten-acre plot for £5,500 to secure a permanent home for English rugby. The ground's agricultural past, specifically its history of growing cabbages, earned it the enduring affectionate nickname 'The Cabbage Patch.' Construction began shortly after acquisition, with the first stands rising in 1908. By October 1909, the stadium hosted its inaugural match between Harlequins and Richmond, followed by the first international fixture against Wales in January 1910 before a crowd of 20,000. The venue's history is marked by resilience; during World War I, it served as grazing land for livestock before King George V unveiled a war memorial in 1921. Over the decades, it has expanded significantly to become the world's largest dedicated rugby union stadium and the second-largest in the United Kingdom.

Defining Matches and Cultural Moments

Twickenham is steeped in legendary sporting history, most notably the dramatic turnaround against Ireland in March 1988. Facing a 0–3 deficit at halftime after years of poor form, England unleashed an expansive attacking style to secure a stunning 35–3 victory with six tries. This match birthed the terrace anthem 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,' originally sung by schoolboys from Douai in celebration of Chris Oti's hat-trick, which quickly spread throughout the stadium and became a permanent fixture of England home games. The stadium also hosted the 1991 Rugby World Cup Final, where Australia defeated England 12–6 amidst controversy over David Campese's handling of a pass to Rory Underwood. Furthermore, Twickenham pioneered broadcast history in 1938 by televising the Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland live on BBC Television, marking the first time a rugby union game was shown on air.

A Hub for Diverse Rugby Competitions

Beyond hosting the England national team's Six Nations and autumn internationals, Twickenham serves as a year-round hub for elite domestic and international fixtures. It is the annual venue for the Premiership Rugby final, the Middlesex Sevens, and the prestigious Varsity Match between Oxford and Cambridge universities, which was held there from 1921 until 2023. The stadium also stages major cup finals, including those for the Anglo-Welsh Cup and the European Rugby Champions Cup. Its versatility extends to hosting the London leg of the World Rugby Sevens Series and specific women's sevens matches. Occasionally stepping outside traditional rugby union boundaries, the ground has accommodated Rugby League Challenge Cup Finals in 2001 and 2006, as well as NFL London Games in 2016 and 2017, demonstrating its capacity to host a wide spectrum of major sporting events.

Entertainment Legacy and Global Status

While primarily known for rugby, Twickenham has established itself as a premier venue for global entertainment, hosting concerts by some of the world's biggest musical acts. The stadium has welcomed legendary performers such as U2, Beyoncé, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Rihanna, and the Rolling Stones, alongside events like the NSPPD Prayer Conference. This dual identity reinforces its status not just as a sporting arena but as a cultural landmark in London. Under the leadership of Clive Woodward, the venue earned the moniker 'Fortress Twickenham' following an impressive run of 19 unbeaten home matches for England starting in October 1999. Today, it remains the headquarters of the RFU and stands as the fourth-largest stadium in Europe, continuing to define the landscape of both professional rugby and major live events.

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