Twickenham is set to lose one of its most famous distinctions after plans emerged to reduce the stadium’s capacity as part of a major redevelopment project.
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has confirmed plans to modernise England’s home ground, with the venue’s capacity expected to fall from 82,000 to 80,000 spectators. The reduction would see Twickenham overtaken by France’s Stade de France, which holds 81,338 fans, making it the largest stadium used in the Six Nations.
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RFU Considered Leaving Twickenham
The news comes after documents obtained by the BBC revealed the RFU explored the possibility of selling Twickenham Stadium and purchasing a 50 per cent stake in Wembley Stadium.
Papers from the Twickenham Stadium Masterplan Programme (TSMP) show the idea was discussed at board level in March 2023 as part of a review into the long-term future of England’s home ground.
Despite the scale of the proposal, no formal approach was ever made to the Football Association regarding a move to Wembley.
Staying At Rugby’s Headquarters
Instead, the RFU has committed to remaining at Twickenham, which has hosted England internationals since 1909.
“Previous considerations looking at the viability of moving to alternative sites have been rejected,” the RFU said in a statement.
The TSMP identified a preferred “stay” option, focusing on upgrading the existing stadium rather than relocating elsewhere.
What Will Change?
As part of the redevelopment, seating will be reduced by approximately 2,000 places to improve spectator comfort and enhance the matchday experience.
The plans also include significant roof repairs, improved hospitality facilities and upgrades to transport links around the stadium.
Work is expected to take place between the end of the 2027 Six Nations and the start of the 2028 Championship.
While Twickenham will remain the home of English rugby, the redevelopment will come with one notable consequence: after decades as the largest venue in the Six Nations, the stadium is set to hand that title to the Stade de France.
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Costs and Timelines
The total cost of the redevelopment, as outlined in the TSMP, is estimated at £663m. However, the RFU clarified that the entire plan would not be carried out at once.
“The RFU board has not agreed any new redevelopment plans,” the RFU stated. “Work will be undertaken over the next 12 months to consider next-stage designs and assess what interventions might take place and when within the existing stadium footprint over the next 10 years.”
The Six Nations stadiums ranked from best atmosphere to worst
Some grounds crackle with passion from first whistle to last, while others struggle to lift. Here, we rank the Six Nations stadiums from worst to best based purely on atmosphere.
6 Aviva Stadium (Ireland)
Despite being one of the most modern venues in the Six Nations, the Aviva Stadium often struggles to generate a consistent atmosphere. Over the past decade, this issue has become increasingly noticeable, largely due to the growing number of corporate tickets. As a result, the once-passionate partisan edge has softened, with noise coming from isolated pockets rather than the stadium as a whole.
Iconic chants such as Fields of Athenry are now rarely sustained, and the all-seater design has removed the raw energy once provided by terraces. Ireland’s recent success, built on an efficient and pragmatic playing style, may also play a role — effective, but not always electrifying. Combined with a shift towards a more family-oriented crowd, the Aviva’s atmosphere often feels subdued compared to its Six Nations counterparts.
5 Stadio Olimpico (Italy)
Originally built for athletics and football, the Stadio Olimpico was never designed with rugby in mind. Since Italy’s inclusion in the Six Nations in 2000, however, it has served as the Azzurri’s home, offering a unique setting beneath Rome’s iconic skyline.
Italian fans are loyal and passionate, but frequent defeats mean they often have limited moments to fully unleash their support. This lack of sustained success keeps the atmosphere from reaching higher levels. That said, the backing is unquestionably partisan, and with signs of improvement in the Italian squad, the volume may well increase in the years to come.
