RFU to submit fresh application to put on more concerts at Twickenham as part of £650m stadium upgrade plan

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) has said it is trying again to increase the number of concerts held at Twickenham stadium every year after a previous planning application to hold five times the current number was turned down last autumn.

In an update today (Wednesday), the RFU said it would be submitting a revised application for the proposal to Richmond council “soon”.

The RFU wants to revamp the ground, now called the Allianz Stadium, under ambitious plans to improve transport links, reduce capacity to improve spectator comfort as well as stage up to 15 concerts a year.

It is currently only allowed to put on three concerts a year, each with a capacity of 55,000.

Its proposal to hold 15 was turned down by Richmond council last October with the authority only allowing the stadium to extend the hours of smaller events.

But stadium development director Alex Cohen today said it had listened to residents’ concerns, adding that concerts would be introduced under a phased approach.

He said: “We know event days have an impact locally. That is why the proposals include a phased and staggered approach, with concerts starting gradually, lower midweek capacities at first, and enhanced rail services on midweek event days. This would help manage pressure on the transport network and reduce the need for road closures – the issue we know matters most to our neighbours.”

In an updated document on its plans, Cohen added: “We know any proposal to increase activity at Allianz Stadium will raise questions locally – and rightly so. Being a good neighbour matters to us, and we understand the real impacts event days have on people living nearby. At the same time, we are responsible for a 100-year-old stadium that has always underpinned rugby in England – and the game has never faced more financial pressure than right now.

“Our plans are therefore about getting the balance right; a balance between need and fairness whilst making best use of the country’s second biggest stadium to deliver real local benefits for our community, for London and for the game of rugby.”

He told residents that concert capacity would be limited to 75,000 – down from a previous proposal of 82,000 – “with an even lower capacity midweek and fewer events initially”.

“Increases to event numbers and capacity up to 75,000 would only be permitted when we can demonstrate to South Western Railway, the Metropolitan Police and your representatives at Richmond Council that impacts are being well managed,” he added.

Cohen said the stadium “would still sit empty for around 325 days a year. Concerts would be concentrated into a short summer window, mainly at weekends, when there is greater capacity on the transport network.”

The RFU, which is chaired by former Wates chairman James Wates, said its revised planning application would be submitted “in the very near future” and was hoping for a decision later this year. If successful, it added, “this will allow us to host our first additional events in summer 2027”.

RFU bosses are hoping that by increasing the number of concerts held at the west London venue, the extra revenue would help bankroll the cost of the £650m redevelopment.

The Tottenham Hotspur stadium, which hosted a series of concerts by US singer Beyoncé last June and which is hosting the only London shows of K-pop band BTS this July, is allowed to hold 30 non-sporting events a year while the figure for Wembley is higher still at 32.

But many local residents have voiced concern about the RFU’s proposals, saying it will lead to a rise in anti-social behaviour.

A host of consultants including project manager RLB, architect Populous and QS T&T Alinea are working on the masterplan to redevelop the ground.

Called the Stadium Masterplan Project, others working on the scheme include transport and civils consultant WSP, fire engineer Arup, planning consultant DP9, M&E engineer Griffiths Evans, landscape architect Planit and buildability consultant JDP London. Simply CDM is the principal designer.

The estimated cost of the work has been put at £663m with the RFU having originally wanted to start work after the 2027 Six Nations championship.

It said it was planning to announce details of phase 1 of the works later this summer. “While this phase focuses only on smaller works, like internal layout and toilets in the West Stand, it represents an important first step in the future of the stadium,” the RFU added.

Twickenham had its last major building work carried out nearly 20 years ago when Mowlem, later bought by Carillion, completed the South Stand redevelopment to raise capacity from 75,000 to its current 82,000 in 2006.

The RFU, which is hosting two community events on its plans next week, added: “The lack of investment has led to rising maintenance costs as wear and tear take their toll, compounding the need for investment to ensure the stadium remains fit for purpose. We already spend millions looking after the stadium each year and without more comprehensive works, these costs will continue to rise.”