Host of consultants to work on ambitious £650m Allianz Stadium Twickenham upgrade

Allianz Stadium Twickenham is not only home to The RFU but is also the largest dedicated rugby union venue in the world, and a key asset for the sport in England. With the venue generating approximately 85% of The RFU’s income, the proposed changes aim to improve its revenue-generating capacity and further enhance the experience for fans and local communities.

The Stadium has a rich history, serving as the heart of England Rugby for 116 years. As an award-winning facility, it has undergone various upgrades over the decades; however, two of its four stands have not seen significant renovations since the 1990s. This lack of modernisation has led to escalating maintenance costs and raised questions about the stadium’s long-term sustainability as a premier sports and entertainment venue.

Currently, the Stadium faces substantial restrictions regarding non-sporting events. Concerts are limited to three annually, with attendance capped at 55,000 compared to the 82,000 capacity on match days. These constraints hinder the stadium’s ability to attract major musical acts and other high-profile events, causing a significant loss of potential revenue during years when the venue is available for more extensive use.

In response to these challenges, The RFU is developing a long-term masterplan aimed at transforming Allianz Stadium Twickenham into a versatile, multi-event location that not only hosts rugby matches but also accommodates concerts and other community-focused events.

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The plan has been built on five fundamental principles: securing a stable income, delivering a world-class experience for fans, improving local transport services, enhancing community integration and ensuring sustainability.

The enhanced fan experience will see a bigger fan zone with “diverse culinary options”, improved seating arrangements to enhance accessibility, improved in-stadium experience by enhancing the concourses and more.

When it comes to sustainability, the RFU says it is “focused on innovative design, ecological enhancements and an emphasis on material reuse”. It will be “guided by circular economy principles” to minimise embodied carbon and reduce waste. It is “aiming to position the stadium as a global model for sustainable refurbishment”.

The masterplan also features a “vision to elevate the natural environment” by transforming the Duke of Northumberland’s River corridor into a “thriving ecological asset” by fostering habitats for target species. New biodiversity elements such as significant tree planting will be included in the masterplan and it is “exploring” the inclusion of solar PV panels.

As part of the redevelopment efforts, the RFU acknowledges traffic and transport issues associated with events at the venue. To address congestion around key local roads and Twickenham Station, a three-point strategy has been proposed. This includes enhancing travel information for attendees to streamline their journey, improving wayfinding to direct visitors to alternative stations and optimising the shuttle bus service to nearby major transport links.

The RFU’s vision aims to make Allianz Stadium Twickenham a source of pride for local residents while also reinforcing its position as a top-tier entertainment venue. By investing in improvements that consider the needs of both the sporting community and concert-goers, The RFU hopes to ensure the stadium thrives as a significant cultural and sporting landmark in England for years to come.

The project is currently in a public consultation phase, with people able to submit their thoughts here. The RFU is targeting a planning and licensing application submission this summer, with the hope of a determination in the autumn.

The full consultant team for Stadium Masterplan Project, RIBA Stage 2 is:

Images: Sports Venue Business and SVB LIVE CEO, Katie McIntyre, was a guest of England Rugby Hospitality for the England v Australia match

Source: New Civil Engineer

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