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An aerial view of Twickenham Stadium

RFU looked at abandoning Twickenham and hosting England in Birmingham

Before signing a very lucrative naùing-rights deal with Allianz, RFU looked at leaving their historic venue and relocating to a new ground in Birmingham. The Midlands site was seen as offering better access for fans across the country. However, after careful evaluation, the RFU ultimately decided to remain at Twickenham and invest in a major overhaul of the stadium.

The decision came amid growing concerns about the stadium's aging infrastructure and its limited commercial potential. Despite its iconic status, Twickenham has been criticized for its inconvenient location and lack of flexibility for hosting non-rugby events.

RFU CEO Bill Sweeney admitted that the Birmingham option was seriously considered. "It was in the Birmingham area and they were quite keen to work with us," he said. However, financial considerations and the sentimental value of Twickenham ultimately swayed the RFU in favor of staying put.

To enhance Twickenham's appeal and generate additional revenue, the RFU has signed a lucrative naming rights deal with Allianz and is seeking greater flexibility from local authorities to host more lucrative events outside of rugby. Bill Sweeney cited examples like Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley, which have successfully hosted concerts and other non-sporting events.

While the RFU has ambitious plans to modernize Twickenham, the significant cost of the project remains a challenge. The estimated overhaul cost of £663 million is currently unaffordable, and the RFU will need to prioritize the most essential works.

The decision to stay at Twickenham is a significant commitment to the stadium's future and the broader rugby community. However, it also raises questions about the RFU's ability to adapt to the evolving landscape of sports business and meet the changing expectations of fans and stakeholders.

Read on the guardian

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Video

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