Today in Sports
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket
  • DMCA
  • Disclaimer
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket
No Result
View All Result
Today in Sports
No Result
View All Result

No green light: RFU threatens to leave Twickenham over Beyoncé spat | Rugby Football Union

March 19, 2025
in Rugby
0
Home Rugby
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


You might also like

Pumas claw Griquas to claim SA Cup crown

Tom Brady Reveals He Wasn’t Involved In Raiders’ QB Evaluation Process

Northampton player ratings vs Bordeaux

The Rugby Football Union chief executive, Bill Sweeney, has threatened to take England away from Twickenham and move to Milton Keynes or Birmingham because of licensing restrictions after missing out on hosting lucrative Beyoncé concerts at the stadium.

Sweeney has warned that if Richmond council does not grant the RFU permission to stage more non-rugby events at Twickenham, “it would be a tough call for us”, with a move away from London mooted.

The RFU has previously explored buying half of Wembley and a move to a greenfield site in Birmingham, an acknowledgment that Twickenham is not fit for purpose. The RFU committed ultimately to its plans to revamp Twickenham, due to begin in 2027 and which could cost up to £663m, but needs to raise revenue by hosting more music concerts.

The RFU is allowed to host three non-rugby events a year and only two on consecutive nights with a limited capacity of 55,000. The union says Twickenham, which has a capacity of 82,000, is empty for 340 days a year with Sweeney claiming that, due to the restrictions, the RFU missed out on staging Beyoncé concerts.

In documents seen by the Guardian, the RFU laments how the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium can host 30 non-football events a year and Wembley 32. Beyoncé is playing six nights at the Spurs stadium, which has taken NFL matches away from Twickenham.

The RFU is lobbying Richmond council for 15 events a year at a capacity of 75,000 but Sweeney has warned that moving to Milton Keynes or Birmingham would become options again if allowances are not made. The union began discussions with the council last year and has undertaken a consultation process with three engagement events scheduled next week.

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has pipped Twickenham to the staging of NFL matches and is to host six Beyoncé gigs. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

“Part of the renovation from 2027 means we are in discussions with Richmond borough council to stage more non-rugby events. For us it is three [events] and we are only allowed one on a Friday,” Sweeney told the Business of Sport podcast. “We have had the Rolling Stones. We could have had Beyoncé but she wanted three nights and we are only allowed two nights consecutively.

“We are saying: ‘If we are going to invest £600m into the Allianz [Stadium, Twickenham’s sponsored name] – and we have a study which shows how much economic value it contributes to the borough – if we’re going to do that, you are going to have to work with us in terms of an increase in the number of events we can stage in order to monetise the stadium.’ There are plenty of places that would like to have us there. Birmingham, Milton Keynes would love to have us there.”

Asked whether the RFU would relocate if the council rejected its request, Sweeney said: “It would be a tough call for us. It would be very difficult. I don’t know how we would justify the investment in the stadium if we can’t get the increase in the event licences.”

skip past newsletter promotion

The latest rugby union news and analysis, plus all the week’s action reviewed

Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

after newsletter promotion

Last year the RFU signed a 13-year £130m deal with Allianz to take over the naming rights of Twickenham. It is not clear whether that deal precludes the RFU relocating or whether any new stadium would immediately assume the sponsor’s name.

The RFU is due to submit planning and licensing applications in the coming weeks and expects an answer from Richmond council by September. It hopes to incrementally increase the number of non-sporting events it can stage with nine next year, 12 in 2027 and 15 in 2028.

The RFU has also said it is open to hosting Six Nations matches on Friday nights if it suits broadcasters, but is understood that while the fixtures next year have not been announced, it will not do so next year. The union also wants to be able to host events such as Christmas parties until 2am as well as install an ice rink and a Christmas market.



Source link

Tags: BeyoncéfootballgreenleavelightRFURugbyspatThreatensTwickenhamunion
Share30Tweet19

Recommended For You

Pumas claw Griquas to claim SA Cup crown

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 24, 2025
0
Pumas claw Griquas to claim SA Cup crown

The Pumas dethroned Griquas with a convincing win in the SA Cup final at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. The hosts led 19-7 at the break and went...

Read more

Tom Brady Reveals He Wasn’t Involved In Raiders’ QB Evaluation Process

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 24, 2025
0
Tom Brady Reveals He Wasn’t Involved In Raiders’ QB Evaluation Process

Coming into the offseason, the biggest question surrounding the Las Vegas Raiders was the quarterback position. However, the franchise was expected to address that this summer, with minority...

Read more

Northampton player ratings vs Bordeaux

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 24, 2025
0
Northampton player ratings vs Bordeaux

Northampton Saints player ratings: Northampton fell short in their pursuit of a second Investec Champions Cup title on Saturday, losing to Bordeaux-Begles 28-20 at the Principality Stadium.The Saints were...

Read more

Sean McVay Thrilled With Rams’ Selection Of Josaiah Stewart In 2025 NFL Draft

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 24, 2025
0
Sean McVay Thrilled With Rams’ Selection Of Josaiah Stewart In 2025 NFL Draft

The Los Angeles Rams made a pair of selections on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft last month that included taking Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart with...

Read more

Shaun Edwards picks out ‘unbelievable’ Wales player who stuck out above the rest

by TODAY IN SPORTS
May 24, 2025
0
Shaun Edwards picks out ‘unbelievable’ Wales player who stuck out above the rest

Former Wales coach Shaun Edwards revealed the most inspiring players he has worked withLegendary Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards picked out the winger on a recent podcast.(Image: (Photo...

Read more
Next Post
Manchester United target Victor Osimhen set to reveal his future plans in April – Man United News And Transfer News

Manchester United target Victor Osimhen set to reveal his future plans in April - Man United News And Transfer News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related News

Patrick Dorgu explains how Manchester United can beat Real Sociedad – Man United News And Transfer News

Patrick Dorgu explains how Manchester United can beat Real Sociedad – Man United News And Transfer News

March 13, 2025
Lukaku says Juventus defender among players he struggles against

Lukaku says Juventus defender among players he struggles against

March 7, 2025
Fury unleashed – Neymar criticizes his former Al-Hilal coach on second Santos debut: ‘Very upset’

Fury unleashed – Neymar criticizes his former Al-Hilal coach on second Santos debut: ‘Very upset’

February 6, 2025

Browse by Category

  • Athletics
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Tennis
Today in Sports

Get the Latest Sports News and Updates on TodayInSports.net. Soccer News, Basketball News, Baseball News, Golf News, Boxing News and More!

CATEGORIES

  • Athletics
  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Cricket
  • Football
  • Golf
  • MMA
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • Racing
  • Rugby
  • Soccer
  • Tennis

Recent News

  • Manchester United v Aston Villa: Commentary, updates, goals and stats
  • Highlights! Faceplant KOs at Dan Hooker’s ‘1 Min Scraps’ backyard brawl
  • Line-up quiz! Can you name Liverpool’s starting XI from their 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace in 2014?
  • Contact us
  • Cookie Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • DMCA
  • Get the Latest Sports News and Updates on TodayInSports.net.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Copyright © 2024 Today in Sports.
Today in Sports is not responsible for the content of external sites.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Featured News
  • Football
  • Basketball
  • Baseball
  • More
    • Rugby
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Soccer
    • NBA
    • Racing
    • Cricket

Copyright © 2024 Today in Sports.
Today in Sports is not responsible for the content of external sites.