Allianz Stadium Twickenham, historically known as Twickenham Stadium, is a prominent rugby union venue situated in Twickenham, southwest London, England. It serves as the home ground of England’s national rugby union team and is owned by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), the governing body responsible for rugby union in England. With a published seating capacity of approximately 82,000, it is the largest dedicated rugby union stadium in the world and an important venue for domestic and international rugby competitions.
The stadium’s history dates back to 1907, when the RFU acquired a plot of land previously used for market gardening. Construction began shortly afterwards, and the ground hosted its first rugby match on 2 October 1909, featuring Harlequins and Richmond. Over the following decades, the venue underwent successive redevelopment projects to accommodate growing audiences and improve spectator facilities. The opening of a rebuilt South Stand in 2006 brought its seating capacity to approximately 82,000.
Allianz Stadium Twickenham regularly hosts England’s home international matches, including fixtures in the Six Nations Championship, alongside major domestic rugby events and international tournaments. It has also played a significant role in Rugby World Cup history, staging the men’s final in both 1991 and 2015. In addition to sporting competitions, the venue has welcomed major musical performances and offers stadium tours and other visitor experiences.
In September 2024, the stadium adopted the name Allianz Stadium following a naming-rights agreement between the RFU and the insurance company Allianz. The partnership was intended to support English rugby at both professional and grassroots levels. Although the commercial name has changed, the venue retains its longstanding connection with Twickenham and its central role in English rugby.
Allianz Stadium Twickenham is the second largest stadium in the United Kingdom (behind Wembley Stadium), and the fourth largest in Europe. 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.
Trivia
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Twickenham Stadium, now known as Allianz Stadium, is often cited as the United Kingdom’s second-largest stadium after Wembley Stadium and one of Europe’s largest sporting venues.
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The World Rugby Museum, located in Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, showcases rugby’s global history through memorabilia, photographs, trophies and interactive exhibits.
