Twickenham Stadium
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/* Other dates of note */ 1937
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| Twickenham Cabbage Patch | |
|---|---|
| Image:Twickenham rfu.jpg | |
| Facility Statistics | |
| Location | Twickenham, Richmond upon Thames, England |
| Inauguration | 1909 |
| Renovated | 1927, 1981, 1994, 2005 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Owner | Rugby Football Union |
| Original Construction Cost | |
| Reconstruction Cost | |
| Architect | |
| Tenants | |
| Rugby Football Union | Rugby union |
| Seating Capacity | |
| Rugby union | 75, 000 (expansion to 82,000 in progress |
Twickenham Stadium, located in the Twickenham district of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, is currently the largest stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of 75,000. However it is expected to lose this status in mid 2006 when the new Wembley Stadium opens.
The South Stand is currently being redeveloped to increase capacity to 82,000. It is the home of England's Rugby Football Union, and as such primarily a venue for rugby union and hosts England's home test matches. Stadium tours are available and there is a Museum of Rugby at the ground.
Contents |
History
The land for the ground was purchased in 1907 for £5,572 12s and 6d, and the first stands constructed the next year. Before the ground was bought it was actually used to grow cabbages and so Twickenham Stadium is affectionately known as the 'Cabbage Patch'. It is also known jokingly as 'HQ'. After further expenditure on roads, the first game, Harlequins v. Richmond, was played on October 2, 1909 and the first international, England v. Wales, on January 15 1910. When it hosted its first international Twickenham had a maximum capacity of 20,000 spectators.
In 1932 a new West Stand was completed, providing offices for the RFU, who made the ground their home. Before the second World War George Orwell wrote that "A bomb under the West car park at Twickenham on an international day would end fascism in England for a generation".
A period of extensive rebuilding took place during the early 1980s which continued through to the mid 1990s. In 1995, the stadium was completed as it stands today, accommodating 75,000 people in an all-seater environment. The stadium is unique in the fact that it has a large amount of restaurants and function suites as well as rugby shop it is the home to the Museum of Rugby.
Under the reign of Clive Woodward, the stadium became known as 'Fortress Twickenham', as England enjoyed a run of 19 unbeaten home matches from October 1999, ending with defeat against Ireland in 2004.
In December 2004 the RFU received planning permission for the redevelopment of the stadium's south stand. The redevelopment commenced in June 2005. As well as increasing the stadium's capacity to 82,000, the redevelopment will introduce a four-star hotel with 156 rooms and six VIP suites with views over the field, a performing arts complex, a health and leisure club, open a new rugby shop and also increase the current function space.
Other dates of note
- 1926: The first Middlesex Sevens
- 1927: Extension to the East Stand. First Varsity Match played.
- 1937: Middlesex County Council approve scheme submitted by Twickenham City Council to widen Rugby Road due to it being inadequate for traffic
- 1959: To mark 50 years of the ground, a combined side of England and Wales beat Ireland and Scotland by 26 points to 17.
- 1965: The South Terrace is closed due to structural failings. It would be rebuilt as the South Stand in 1981
- 1991: The ground hosts the Rugby Union World Cup Final, in which Australia narrowly beat England. An extended North Stand is opened and the East Stand torn down.
- 1994: Completion of the new East Stand; the West Stand is torn down.
- 1995: New West Stand opened, bringing capacity to 75,000
- 2000: The ground hosts its first game of rugby league, in which Australia defeated England in the opening game of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
- 2002: Planning permission sought for new South Stand to raise capacity to 82,000
- 2004: RFU receives planning permission to raise capacity to 82,000
- 2005: Work begins on the new South Stand
See also
External links
Template:LB Richmondes:Estadio de Twickenham fr:Stade de Twickenham it:Stadio di Twickenham sv:Twickenham Stadium