Nothing beats the feeling of attending a rugby match. From that sense of belonging that comes from sitting in a sea of team colours to the chants, cheers and roars, the atmosphere inside a stadium is one of anticipation, high energy and excitement.
When it comes to stadiums, there are some that hold revered reputations, whether for their huge capacities, intimidating team records or historic matches. Here are the best rugby stadiums in the world.
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
As the largest sports venue in Scotland, Murrayfield has been home to the Scotland national rugby union team since it opened in 1925. Today, this stadium is famous for two reasons: its capacity and its electric atmosphere.
Additionally, Murrayfield holds the record for the highest attended rugby match in Europe. This took place on 1 March 1975 during a clash between Scotland and Wales at the Five Nations Championship – Scotland won 12-10.
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Officially known as Principality Stadium and Stadiwm y Mileniwm, Millennium Stadium is an iconic and instantly recognisable venue. Not only is it the third largest stadium in the UK but it’s also the country’s first venue to feature a fully retractable roof.
When the roof is closed, the shouts, chants and cheers of up to 72,000 rugby fans reverberate around the stadium, delivering one of the best and most unforgettable experiences.
Eden Park, Auckland
While it might not be the biggest venue on this list – Eden Park can hold up to 50,000 people – its historic matches make it one of the best rugby stadiums in the world. In fact, when it comes to the greatest rugby matches, Eden Park has seen some of the best.
This includes the final of the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup that saw the All Blacks lift the Webb Ellis Cup. Additionally, Eden Park became the first stadium to host two World Cup finals in 2011.
Twickenham, London
As the home of the England national rugby union team, Twickenham is one of the oldest and most prestigious rugby stadiums in the world. It’s also one of the biggest – the third, to be exact – and has a capacity of 82,000.
The history of this venue dates back to 1907 and the grounds have seen some epic matches during its time. This includes matches during the 1991, 1995 and 2015 Rugby World Cups.
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
No list of the best rugby stadiums in the world would be complete without Ellis Park. Opened back in 1928, Ellis Park has a capacity of more than 65,000 and it’s widely known as one of the most intimidating sports venues.
The crowd here is passionate, loud and ferociously loyal. With support like this, it’s easy to understand why the Springboks typically deliver their best performances at Ellis Park.
