Rugby Fan's Guide to Match Day: Stadiums, Pubs, and Online Fun

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Rugby match days are more than just 80 minutes on the field – they bring communities together like no other activity does. The noise of the crowd, the clash of players, and the spirit in the stands make it special. Here’s a guide brought by Jamie Wall, the author at Gamblizard to give rugby fans a broader understanding of the game’s atmosphere around the world.  

Overview of Rugby Stadiums Worldwide

Allianz Stadium Twickenham in London is rugby's magnet. It is the biggest rugby stadium in the world at a capacity of 82,000. Over the years, it has staged Rugby World Cup finals, Six Nations matches, and multiple meetings between England and their most opponents.

Source: https://allianzstadiumtwickenham.com/stadium  

There are several long awaited events on Twickenham’s schedule, butone of the most anticipated is the Guinness Men’s Six Nations match on 8 February 2025,  which will be England’s first home game against France.  

Cardiff’s Principality Stadium in the Welsh capital was previously named the “Millennium”. The national stadium of Wales, home to the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU), occupies the heart of Cardiff. After hosting the 1999 Rugby World Cup, the stadium opened its doors and has hosted countless events since.

The stadium has served as the venue for numerous key games as of the 1999 Rugby World Cup final, several Six Nations Championship matches, and games during the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Source: https://www.principalitystadium.wales/information/getting-here/ 

It has also hosted other sports including football matches in the 2012 London Olympics and UEFA Champions League finals. Beyond sports, Cardiff's Stadium has been a stop for international concerts and has staged Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran and the Rolling Stones.

The Aviva Stadium, located in Dublin, Ireland, is a world-class sports and entertainment complex as well as an emblem of modern Irish architecture.  It opened in 2010, on the historic site of the original Lansdowne Road Stadium, which had been a bastion of Irish rugby and football for over 130 years.

Today, the Aviva Stadium carries on that tradition and plays host to frequent Six Nations matches, where the Irish rugby team faces off their European opponents. The stadium received the 2011 UEFA Europa League Final and has been a host site for prestigious rugby competitions like the Heineken Champions Cup.

Source: https://dennishorgan.ie/product/aviva-stadium-v1/?v=5269f4d75f5b 

In addition to sports, the Aviva Stadium has welcomed on its stage some legendary artists such as U2, The Rolling Stones, and Taylor Swift.

The Stade de France located in the northern Paris suburb of Saint-Denis, is the largest stadium in France. Built to stage the 1998 FIFA World Cup, it became the site of the historic final, where France triumphed over Brazil to win their first-ever World Cup. The stadium also hosted two Rugby World Cup finals, in 2007 and 2023, making it a part of rugby history. 

@IMAGO

In New Zealand, Eden Park in Auckland is the home of the All Blacks, the national rugby union team. With roughly 50,000 seats for rugby and 42,000 for cricket, Eden Park is a very adaptable place that, in addition to a number of sports, can accommodate a range of events, such as concerts and community gatherings.

Source: https://www.rugbystadiums.co.uk/eden-park/ 

Rugby Pubs to Visit on a Match Day

Rugby and pubs go hand-in-hand. Watching with fellow fans over a pint adds to the day. The Cabbage Patch in Twickenham, close to the stadium, is a fan favourite. It's buzzing on match days and has great food options:

Korean fried cauliflower wings with sesame seeds (8.00 GBP)

Devonshire brown crab arancini with aioli (6.00 GBP)

Treacle cured beef skewers with aioli & crispy onions (7.00 BGP) 

Celeriac satay with peanuts, pickled cucumber & satay sauce (7.00 GBP)

Tandoori chicken skewer with mango chutney (7.00 GBP) 

Harissa pork skewer with aioli & coriander (7.00 GBP)

Beer battered haddock (18 GBP)

Buttermilk chicken schnitzel (18.50 GBP)

Marinated BBQ baby back ribs (18 GBP)

Please find the full menu over here. 

The Old Arcade in Cardiff is perfect for any event, whether it's a small victory or a grand celebration. From pub classics and light snacks to satisfying, hearty meals, there's something to suit every taste.

Some of the current deals on Old Arcade include a bottle of Prosecco for 13.49 GBP every Friday, 3 bottles of selected beer for 10.75 GBP or cider for 11.75 GBP, three shots for 8.50 GBP and three bombs for 9 GBP.

There is also a classic pub Sunday lunch menu, where the chefs prepare the best roast in town and treat you with  homemade Yorkshire pudding. 

The Mulligan's Pub in Dublin has a history of nearly 300 years. Originally established as a shebeen, an unlicensed drinking spot, Mulligans gained its legal status in 1782, making it one of the oldest licensed premises in Dublin. Today, the pub’s renowned Guinness and strong whiskey are served by the third generation of the Cusack family, who inherited the establishment from their kin.

No matter your location, there's a local pub ready to welcome fans with open arms.

Online Fun for Rugby Fans

Away from the stadium or pub, rugby fans can turn to online gambling. Gambling sites offer to make predictions on match outcomes, player performances, or even tournament winners. Match-winner, handicap, total points, first try-scorer, and outright tournament bets are all common rugby wagers. In addition to making betting easier, these platforms assist fans in finding special deals from trusted websites.

Betfred: Betfred has been a major sponsor in rugby Super League since 2016. This site covers both Rugby Union and Rugby League, where bettors can study various markets, including match winners, point spreads, and player performance bets. 

LeoVegas: a user-friendly platform to bet on such well-known events as Rugby World Cup, Six Nations Championship, The Rugby Championship, Premiership Rugby, and Super Rugby. LeoVegas is a service for both seasoned rugby punters and newcomers, offering diverse markets, competitive odds, and reliable betting on the go.

BetUK: The Premiership Rugby League’s official betting sponsor. With BetUK's live betting function users can place bets during matches, with odds updated in real time. 

Betclic: primarily operating in European markets, Betclic has sponsored rugby teams, including the Union Bordeaux Bègles in France. Betclic's rugby betting markets go beyond the basics, allowing you to bet on: match winner, handicap betting,first try scorer, total points (over/under), team to score first, and winning margin.

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