The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has set out new plans to bring more concerts to Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium as it seeks to redevelop the home of English rugby.
A stadium revamp believed to cost in excess £600m is looming for the union, with an expansion of non-rugby event days at the southwest London ground seen as critical to ensuring the necessary redevelopment can go ahead.
About 85 per cent of the RFU’s revenues come from Allianz Stadium, with a large proportion from major men’s matchdays. Under the terms of its agreement with Richmond Borough Council, English rugby’s governing body is only permitted to hold three non-sporting event days per year, with none held consecutively and capacity capped at 55,000.
Under new plans submitted to Richmond Borough Council, the RFU hopes to introduce a phase and staggered increase in the number of events at the ground to 15 per year – still far fewer than are permitted annually at fellow London venues Wembley Stadium (54) and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (30).
The proposal follows 18 months of talks with local stakeholders, with the RFU suggesting that agreement has been reached to increase rail capacity at Twickenham Station. A new facility fee would be introduced on concert tickets and go into a Community Enhancement Fund to support local residents.
“The UK has one of the strongest live events industries in the world, and Allianz Stadium – as the second largest stadium in the country and one of our most prized national assets – is best placed to capitalise on that success,” said RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney.
The stadium is by far our biggest financial asset as a sport, but the fact that it’s use is currently limited to the short rugby calendar is in turn impacting the growth and potential of the game and its benefit to the local community.More concerts in Twickenham will generate tens of millions of pounds each year for the local and national economies, and hundreds more jobs here in south-west London. It will also increase our ability to continue to work as a proud local neighbour, supporting local schools, charities and businesses across Richmond.
“Bringing the world’s biggest artists here to Twickenham will also underpin the £500 million of funding we want to invest into rugby over the next five years.I would like to thank the many stakeholders who have supported us to date, and we look forward to continuing to work with them over the coming months.”
A planning application will be submitted in due course.
The RFU has previously held exploratory talks over a possible relocation, with sites in Milton Keynes and Birmingham thought to have been discussed. The union’s “Plan A”, though, has always been to remain at a ground occupied by English rugby for more than 115 years.
Insurance giants Allianz agreed a 10-year naming rights sponsorship deal in 2024.
