The Rugby Football Union has abandoned a radical proposal to sell Twickenham and buy 50% of Wembley from the FA, and instead focus on a £663m plan to revamp the existing stadium, The Guardian can reveal .
Twickenham has been the home of English rugby since 1909, and while the RFU is drawing up plans to transform the stadium as part of its “masterplanning programme”, last year the league’s board approved a proposal to retain the “departure” option, but “delaying formal contact with the FA”.
Matches at Twickenham contribute 85% of the RFU’s revenue and in recent years the stadium has been described by RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney as “our cash cow”. As a result, the RFU have been reluctant to field the England international elsewhere, but a move to Wembley is part of the “reserved” option in the league’s plans to reform Twickenham.
The Guardian has seen the RFU’s in-depth plans to transform Twickenham, with a window between the end of the Six Nations in 2027 and the start of next year’s Championship, with much of the work thought to be carried out with minimal disruption preferred time. However, this means the Red Rose match and men’s World Cup warm-up match will have to be played away from Twickenham.
The masterplan, which focuses on real estate, transport and user experience, also mentions potential options for a previous move to Wembley, where England hosted a 1992 match against Canada. Wells also used Wembley, which was the subject of a major project. In 2018, US billionaire Shahid Khan offered £900 million to serve as a temporary base while the Principality Stadium was built. “The RFU’s focus is on continuing to develop Twickenham Stadium,” a union spokesman said. “Previous consideration of the feasibility of moving to another location has been rejected.”
Although the RFU calculated the cost of the Twickenham overhaul at £663 million, it was acknowledged that this was unaffordable and more urgent works would be prioritized, with around £300 million of available financing available. The £663m figure is considered illustrative and is intended to formulate the total cost of the long-term blueprint and follow-up work once the unions have the funds.
“Events at Twickenham generate a significant proportion of revenue for the RFU and allow investment in the sport at all levels, from community to elite,” the plan reads. “As well as being the RFU’s most visible assets and outside the home of the England national rugby team, this makes the stadium a key financial driver to support the growth of the sport and achieve the RFU’s sporting ambitions from grassroots to elite level.
“While the RFU has invested heavily in improving the stadium and grounds, even in recent years its development efforts have been without an overall long-term strategy. This piecemeal approach has resulted in operational, compliance, maintenance and most importantly fans Experience-wise inefficiency.”
The works include refurbishment of four stands, which will reduce the minimum capacity for rugby matches to 80,000, as well as the relocation of the stadium roof, car park and RFU offices. The aim is that the stadium will be fully operational again by 2031.
The RFU is also looking to improve transport links due to an over-reliance on Twickenham train station and numerous reports of overcrowding and chaos on match days. Among the initiatives being assessed to improve transport to and from matches, the RFU is exploring the use of river boat services.
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The RFU’s treasurer, Sue Day, outlined in the RFU’s latest annual report that such an overhaul at Twickenham was necessary to “secure the future income needed to reinvest in the sport”. However, there are concerns within the RFU that such a massive investment in a stadium would be seen as incongruous at a time when both the professional and grassroots games require investment.
An RFU spokesman added: “We are developing a long-term masterplan for Twickenham Stadium to ensure that England’s national rugby stadium remains up to date, complies with all relevant regulations, provides the best experience for fans and continues to generate revenue for reinvestment Enter community and professional competitions.
“We will be working over the next 12 months to consider the next phase of the design and assess what interventions may be possible within the existing stadium footprint over the next 10 years. The RFU board has not yet agreed to any new redevelopment plans. However , and as you would expect, all options will be thoroughly considered as part of a long-term strategy.
“As plans are further developed, the RFU Board and Council will be fully consulted and involved in the due diligence and approval process, including any potential sources of funding. Under the RFU Charter, if borrowing in excess of £150 million is required, Council approval will be required Members’ input and approval. We do not expect major stadium work to begin before 2027.”
