Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Now this is what I call a rugby ground — except it isn't a rugby ground at all.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is, unsurprisingly, home to Tottenham Hotspur FC, but once a year it puts the football boots away and welcomes Saracens for their Big Match. It has also proved itself capable of hosting rugby's biggest occasions, staging the EPCR finals in 2025. And what a place to do it.This is an absolutely magnificent stadium. Everything about it feels modern, spacious and properly thought through, from the huge single-tier South Stand to the excellent sightlines and facilities. Unlike some football grounds where rugby can feel like an afterthought, there is no such problem here. The pitch is enormous, the seating is close enough to the action and the atmosphere can be superb when the place is full.
It is also one of those stadiums where getting to your seat doesn't feel like an expedition. There are plenty of concourses, bars and food outlets, and the whole place has the feel of a major sporting venue rather than simply a football stadium that happens to be hosting rugby for the afternoon.
For Saracens, the Big Match has become something of an annual tradition. It gives the club the chance to take rugby out of its usual surroundings and put on a major event in front of a much bigger crowd. For the spectator, it is an opportunity to watch rugby in surroundings that are considerably more luxurious than most traditional rugby grounds.
The EPCR finals took things to another level. Hosting both the Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals demonstrated that this isn't merely a convenient venue for an occasional rugby match. It is perfectly capable of handling a major European rugby weekend, with the facilities and capacity to match the occasion.And then there is the stadium itself. Whether you like Tottenham or not — and I suspect that is a subject best avoided in North London — it is difficult not to be impressed. The architecture, the scale and the facilities are all first class, while the stadium manages to retain an intimate feel despite its enormous capacity.
There is also plenty of choice when it comes to food and drink, although you should expect major-stadium prices rather than your local rugby club's prices. The sheer number of outlets does at least mean you aren't restricted to the usual burger and chips.
For a rugby supporter, the slightly odd thing is that you are watching rugby in a stadium where virtually everything around you normally screams football. But once the whistle goes and the stands fill with rugby supporters, that distinction rather disappears.
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium may not belong on a traditional list of rugby grounds, but it certainly belongs on this one. It is a superb venue for a big rugby occasion, and Saracens have chosen an excellent place for their annual Big Match.
I just wish more rugby matches were hosted here.
Return to Rugby Other home page