Every Six Nations Stadium Ranked from Worst to Best – Twickenham Takes a Hit

Monday, 03 March 2025 at 20:10

byRugby Rucker

The Six Nations is home to some of rugby’s most iconic stadiums, from modern marvels to historic fortresses. But which one is the best?

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The Mail Online has rated each venue across key categories, and we’ve added our own RUCK verdict to settle the debate.

Opened: 2010 | Capacity: 51,711

Mail Online: "This is a striking and smart modern stadium, but there is no escaping the enormous problem with it – that it simply isn’t enormous enough. Ireland could sell 120,000 tickets for big games, yet they’re stuck in a stadium that’s far too small. The recent concerns about quiet crowds are justified. It’s hardly a cauldron these days."

Atmosphere: 4/10
Away-day experience: 6/10
Facilities: 7/10
Area infrastructure: 5/10
Character and history: 3/10
Aesthetics: 7/10
Home advantage: 5/10
TOTAL: 37/70

RUCK verdict: The Aviva is a thing of beauty, but it just isn’t big enough. With Irish rugby booming, a move back to Croke Park makes too much sense. As for the atmosphere? It’s not what it used to be.

5. ALLIANZ STADIUM, London
Opened: 1909 | Capacity: 82,000

Mail Online: "The fact that the embattled RFU thought about a relocation says a lot. Twickenham is vast and historic, but it needs a £600million revamp. The atmosphere can be flat, the transport system is a nightmare, and the facilities aren’t up to scratch."

Atmosphere: 5/10
Away-day experience: 5/10
Facilities: 6/10
Area infrastructure: 5/10
Character and history: 7/10
Aesthetics: 6/10
Home advantage: 5/10
TOTAL: 39/70

RUCK verdict: Twickenham has the history, but it’s crying out for an upgrade. The matchday experience isn’t what it should be, and the journey home is a test of patience. The RFU need to invest, and fast.

4. STADIO OLIMPICO, Rome
Opened: 1953 | Capacity: 70,634

Mail Online: "Rome is a dream destination, and the away-day experience here is unrivalled. But the stadium itself? It’s old, lacks modern comforts, and isn’t the most intimidating venue for visiting teams. That said, when the Azzurri put up a fight, it can be a cracking place to watch rugby."

Atmosphere: 6/10
Away-day experience: 8/10
Facilities: 5/10
Area infrastructure: 4/10
Character and history: 7/10
Aesthetics: 6/10
Home advantage: 4/10
TOTAL: 40/70

RUCK verdict: Rome is a world-class trip, but the stadium isn’t. The Stadio Olimpico has a certain charm, but it needs some serious TLC. It’s an event rather than a fortress, and that’s a problem for Italy.

3. MURRAYFIELD, Edinburgh
Opened: 1925 | Capacity: 67,144

Mail Online: "Murrayfield’s pre-match build-up is second to none. The lone bagpiper, the anthems, and the massed ranks of fans create an unforgettable occasion. But the stadium itself needs modernising, and facilities are falling behind. Edinburgh, however, is one of the best cities for a rugby weekend."

Atmosphere: 7/10
Away-day experience: 7/10
Facilities: 4/10
Area infrastructure: 6/10
Character and history: 7/10
Aesthetics: 5/10
Home advantage: 7/10
TOTAL: 43/70

RUCK verdict: The atmosphere is electric, and the city is a gem. But Murrayfield itself? It needs an update. That said, the roar when England visit is something else.

2. STADE DE FRANCE, Paris Opened: 1998 | Capacity: 81,338

Mail Online: "The fact that it staged the marquee events at last year’s Olympics demonstrated that this national stadium is fit for modern purpose ...even if the catering on offer was an abject disgrace. It has been France’s home for more than a quarter of a century now and there have been improvements of late.

Chiefly, the increased number of night games in the French capital have allowed for the staging of breathtaking light shows, which are a wonder to behold in person, as well as on TV."

Atmosphere: 7/10
Away-day experience: 6/10
Facilities: 6/10
Area infrastructure: 6/10
Character and history: 4/10
Aesthetics: 8/10
Home advantage: 7/10
TOTAL: 44/70

RUCK verdict: Look out for this feature of the occasion when Wales take on Fabien Galthie’s side in the tournament opener, and when Scotland are the visitors for the finale on March 15.

The floating-roof design (if that’s the right phrase) is a classy feature and there are spacious walkways inside and out. On the flip-side, the food offerings aren’t up to much – which should be an affront to Gallic pride – the police can be very keen to engage in a spot of kettling and the roads are a shambles.

1. PRINCIPALITY STADIUM, Cardiff Opened: 1999 | Capacity: 73,931

Mail Online: "This is the winner, hands-down. No doubts. No dispute. What a place it is to watch a rugby match, especially when the roof is shut, which it will be throughout this year’s campaign. Even now, so many years after it was built, it is remarkable to behold on approach from all sides. It really looks as if a spaceship has landed in the middle of the Welsh capital.

"The engineering is eye-catching. Having such an iconic stadium in such a prime, central location, goes against a global trend and it is all the better for it, as a famous landmark on the skyline."

Atmosphere: 9/10
Away-day experience: 7/10
Facilities: 6/10
Area infrastructure: 5/10
Character and history: 4/10
Aesthetics: 8/10
Home advantage: 8/10
TOTAL: 47/70

RUCK verdict: Cardiff always feels like rugby central. The matchday buzz is unsurpassed, even during the recent Welsh barren period. The stands are steep, the noise swirls around – and there is a LOT of noise.

Behind the scenes, there aren’t many design flourishes and a lot of breeze-block walls. People keep disappearing to the bars during games and Cardiff Central train station is a nightmare with a loudhailer soundtrack.