Twickenham Stadium
| Twickenham Cabbage Patch | |
|---|---|
| |
| 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 the third largest stadium in the United Kingdom with a capacity of 75,000, bettered only by Old Trafford Football Stadium and, when it eventually opens in 2007, the new Wembley Stadium.
The South Stand is currently being redeveloped to increase capacity to 82,000. The stadium 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.
History
Early 1900s
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.
1920s-1950s
In 1926, the first Middlesex Sevens took place at the ground. In 1927, there was an extension to the East Stand, that same year, Varsity Match took place at Twickenham for the first time. In 1932 a new West Stand was completed, providing offices for the RFU, who made the ground their home. Before the second World War Philip Toynbee wrote that "A bomb under the West car park at Twickenham on an international day would end fascism in England for a generation". In 1937, the Middlesex County Council approve scheme submitted by Twickenham City Council to widen Rugby Road due to it being inadequate for traffic.
1950s-1990s
In 1959, to mark 50 years of the ground, a combined side of England and Wales beat Ireland and Scotland by 26 points to 17. In 1965, the South Terrace is closed due to structural failings. A period of extensive rebuilding took place during the early 1980s which continued through to the mid 1990s. In 1981 the South Terrace was rebuilt as the South Stand in 1981. In 1991 the ground hosted the 1991 Rugby World Cup Final, in which Australia narrowly beat England. An extended North Stand is opened and the East Stand torn down. Three years after the World Cup final, the stadiums sees the completion of the new East Stand and the West Stand torn down. In 1995, the stadium was completed as it stands today, accommodating 75,000 people in an all-seater environment as the New West Stand is opened. 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.
2000s-present
In 2000 the ground hosted its first game of rugby league, in which Australia defeated England in the opening game of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. Planning permission was sought in 2002 and received in December 2004 for a new South Stand to raise capacity to 82,000 with redevelopment commencing 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. The Rolling Stones will play two concerts at the stadium on 20 and 22 August 2006, they were the first band to play the stadium in 2003.
See also
External links
- RFU Twickenham site
- South Stand progress photographs
- Twickenham Stadium at Google Maps
- Event day car park at Nelson School
