The RFU has outlined a £660million plan to overhaul Twickenham Stadium, with a roof garden, Tunnel Club hospitality, a 65-metre bar and transport upgrades among the headline features.
The proposal was first set out three years ago, when the RFU board asked what it would do to the stadium if it had a blank cheque and how much the work would cost. The answer, it said, came to £660million. Now, with the stadium said to be empty for 340 days a year and used for just 15 non-sporting event days a year, the case for modernisation is being presented as an economic one as much as an architectural one.
Why the RFU wants change
Twickenham's brutalist architecture is described as showing its age, while the transport situation around Twickenham's paltry train station is also flagged as a problem. The RFU is understood to be looking for ways to make the venue more attractive and more usable throughout the year, rather than relying so heavily on matchday income.
That matters because around 85 per cent of the RFU's revenue comes through Twickenham ticket sales, hospitality and sponsorship. In other words, the stadium is not just England's home of rugby; it is also central to the governing body's financial model.
What the plans include
Among the changes being discussed are a new roof garden, a Tunnel Club hospitality area and a 65-metre bar. The RFU is also looking at transport improvements, as well as work to improve the toilet ratio and introduce bathroom mirrors next summer.
The East Stand has already been redeveloped, which means any wider revamp would build on work that has already been completed rather than starting from scratch.
The bigger question is whether the plans can help Twickenham Stadium generate more income while keeping England's home of rugby in west London. The RFU clearly believes the venue needs to evolve if it is going to remain relevant, both on and off the field.
