Kingsholm named the best Premiership stadium, all 10 ranked worst to best
Rugby NewsThursday, 30 May 2024 at 11:11
Stadiums hold a special place in the hearts of rugby fans, serving as a second home for many supporters. Their importance is profound and deeply felt.
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The following ranking of Premiership stadiums is based on fan ratings from various websites, including rugbygroundmap.com and TripAdvisor.
Here are the 10 Premiership stadiums, ranked from worst to best:
#10. AJ Bell Stadium (Sale Sharks) - 3.5/10
Bio: Located in Salford, Greater Manchester, AJ Bell Stadium is home to the Sale Sharks. Opened in 2012, it boasts a seating capacity of 12,000. The stadium's modern facilities are balanced with frequent critiques of its accessibility and parking arrangements.
GOOD REVIEW: "Very impressive stadium, clean and conveniently located near the motorway for a quick getaway. Parking was a bit expensive but part of the overall experience."
BAD REVIEW: "Visited with family, atmosphere was good, but the stadium was just okay. The food and drink were dreadful – the hot chocolate was undrinkable. The worst part was the car park, £10 to park in a massive puddle in the mud, and we were penned in for almost an hour post-match!"
#9. Allianz Park (Saracens) - 4.5/10
Bio: Allianz Park, now known as StoneX Stadium, is situated in North London. Opened in 2013, it has a capacity of 10,000. It’s known for its artificial pitch and community focus but has faced criticism for its facilities.
GOOD REVIEW: "Great place to watch my team play rugby! Great atmosphere, good seating, and plenty of toilets. Highly recommend coming here to watch a game."
BAD REVIEW: "The facilities are beyond disgusting. None of the ladies' toilets inside work, and the outside ones have no paper and stink."
#8. Kingston Park (Newcastle Falcons) - 6.5/10
Bio: Kingston Park, located in Newcastle upon Tyne, has been home to the Newcastle Falcons since 1990. The stadium has a capacity of 10,200 and is praised for its atmosphere and facilities, despite its relatively small size.
GOOD REVIEW: "Frequented here on many occasions to watch Falcons Rugby and for social functions. Huge car park, club shop, bar/restaurant with a separate corporate/functions suite. Seated or standing terraces. Hot food outlets in the stand and bar services. Great atmosphere with friendly staff. Well worth a visit."
BAD REVIEW: "The ground is smaller than I expected, having watched many games played here on TV."
#7. Franklin's Gardens (Northampton Saints) - 7/10
Bio: Franklin's Gardens, located in Northampton, is a historic stadium with a capacity of 15,249. It’s known for its excellent viewing facilities and vibrant atmosphere, offering a mix of modern amenities and traditional charm.
GOOD REVIEW: "Impressive stadium with good facilities, plenty of options for eating and drinking. All seats offer a clear, uninterrupted view of the pitch."
BAD REVIEW: "Overall a bad experience, which we won't repeat."
#6. Sandy Park (Exeter Chiefs) - 7.5/10
Bio: Situated in Exeter, Sandy Park is the home ground of the Exeter Chiefs. Opened in 2006, it has a capacity of 13,593. The stadium is noted for its excellent facilities and accessibility, contributing to a strong matchday experience.
GOOD REVIEW: "I've been to most Premiership grounds, and this is one of my favourites. It has easy access, a great crowd, and even though it was a sellout, you could move around and get to the bars and bathrooms without a problem."
BAD REVIEW: "I was looking forward to my trip to Sandy Park (approx 400-mile round trip to get there), but I was so disappointed and let down by the experience."
#5. Ashton Gate (Bristol Bears) - 7.5/10
Bio: Ashton Gate, located in Bristol, is home to the Bristol Bears. With a capacity of 27,000, it’s one of the larger stadiums in the Premiership. The venue is praised for its vibrant atmosphere and high-quality facilities, despite some criticisms regarding parking.
General View of Ashton Gate with Gallagher Branding during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bristol Bears and Saracens at Ashton Gate on 17 Sep. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
GOOD REVIEW: "Always a lively venue on rugby day and well worth booking into one of the Ashton Gate restaurants. The service is top-notch, even when dealing with large crowds. The kitchen produces excellent food, making it a truly enjoyable experience for both business and social outings. Highly recommend this venue."
BAD REVIEW: "It was an awful stadium with a horrible smell, although that might have been the company I was with. The food was horrible, parking is a nightmare, and the staff are just rude."
#4. The Recreation Ground (Bath RFC) - 8/10
Bio: The Recreation Ground, commonly known as The Rec, is located in Bath and serves as the home ground for Bath RFC. With a capacity of 14,509, it’s celebrated for its picturesque setting and traditional rugby atmosphere, though it faces some infrastructure challenges.
GOOD REVIEW: "Been here a few times, proper rugby ground, good crowd, easy entrance and exit, plenty of bars and toilets. Never any problems here; if you are a rugby fan, it is a 'must go' place."
BAD REVIEW: "The ground is of similar standard to a non-league football ground and unfit for Premiership Rugby."
#3. Welford Road (Leicester Tigers) - 8.5/10
Bio: Welford Road in Leicester is the home of the Leicester Tigers. Opened in 1892, it has a capacity of 25,849. Known for its rich history and passionate fans, it combines traditional charm with modern facilities.
GOOD REVIEW: "Welford Road is one of my favourite rugby grounds. It is not too big and has a good atmosphere with a knowledgeable and fervent crowd."
BAD REVIEW: "Keeps growing and keeps getting more ugly and out of place. Large monster on a small site. Knock it down and extend the hospital next door."
#2. Twickenham Stoop (Harlequins) - 9/10
Bio: Twickenham Stoop, located in South-West London, is home to the Harlequins. With a capacity of 14,800, it’s renowned for its intimate atmosphere and excellent facilities, making it a favorite among rugby fans.
GOOD REVIEW: "Nice tight little ground with great facilities. Bars under the stands and plenty of food and franchise stands to keep queues short."
BAD REVIEW: "Please sort out some training for your hired bar staff Quinn's as it is consistently poor."
#1. Kingsholm (Gloucester) - 9.5/10
Bio: Kingsholm Stadium, located in Gloucester, is the revered home of Gloucester Rugby. With a capacity of 16,115, it’s famed for its passionate fan base and electric atmosphere, making it one of the top destinations for rugby supporters.
GOOD REVIEW: "Been all over Europe watching my team, first visit to Kingsholm. City, fans, food, bars within the stadium, local pubs, and local people – fantastic, thank you."
BAD REVIEW: "Very long waits for a simple pint of horrible cider and the toilets. The staff don't seem to understand how to deal with large crowds as it takes so long, and this was when the game was on, so it wasn't overly busy."
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