RFU push for 15 non-rugby events a year at Twickenham - concerts to grow UK economy - Ruck
England Rugby News

RFU push for 15 non-rugby events a year at Twickenham – concerts to grow UK economy

14 May 2026
Tom Sansom

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has outlined plans to significantly increase the number of large non-rugby events at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

The reasoning behind the change, is that this could reportedly unlock £500 million in investment for English rugby and deliver a major boost to the UK economy.

Under proposals set to be submitted to Richmond Council, the RFU wants permission to stage up to 15 major non-sporting events per year at the stadium, such as concerts. That would be a major increase from the current limit of three.

The governing body says the change is needed to help secure the long-term financial stability of rugby in England. Allianz Stadium generates around 85% of RFU revenue, which is reinvested into the sport from grassroots level through to the national teams.

If approved, the expanded event schedule is expected to support more than £500 million of investment into rugby over the next five years, with ambitions to grow participation and improve facilities across the game. The RFU also estimates the plan could generate around £86 million in added value for the UK economy, with an extra £28.5 million spent locally each year in areas such as hospitality, transport, retail and tourism.

At present, Allianz Stadium sits unused for much of the year outside the rugby calendar, and has hosted only one major concert in the past six years. The RFU argues this is a missed opportunity compared to venues such as Wembley Stadium and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which are permitted to host far more non-sporting events annually.

Under the proposal, events would be introduced gradually and carefully managed in partnership with Richmond Council, police and transport operators. Crowd limits would also be introduced for concerts, starting lower than the stadium’s full rugby capacity.

Transport planning, including additional rail services at Twickenham, forms part of the proposal, alongside a new community-focused funding model. This would see at least £1 from each ticket funnelled into a Community Enhancement Fund, potentially generating up to £1 million per year for local projects.

A panel including local representatives and RFU officials would oversee how those funds are spent, while residents would also receive priority access to concert ticket pre-sales.

RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said the plans would help maximise the stadium’s value both for rugby and the wider community, describing Allianz Stadium as a “prized national asset” whose potential is currently underused.

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