Twickenham Stadium prepares to welcome 10,000 fans back for each EPCR final

RFU CEO & EPCR Board member Bill Sweeney said: "Having not had any fans at Twickenham Stadium since the Autumn Nations Cup final last December, we're delighted to be able to welcome back up to 10,000 on Friday and again on Saturday for what should be two exciting EPCR finals. The fans really do make the game and we hope everyone is looking forward to attending live rugby again at Twickenham.

"The RFU and EPCR teams have been working extremely hard since it was announced Twickenham Stadium would host these matches to get everything ready for the return of fans. I'd like to thank everyone for all their efforts to put in place various measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all those attending each match."

EPCR CEO Vincent Gaillard said: "Five out of 25 European champions have been crowned in this historic stadium and so many people have worked incredibly hard to make sure that it will happen once again this weekend. We are very grateful for the collaboration with the RFU and everyone at Twickenham Stadium and are delighted that so many fans will be back to bring the colour and passion that are the hallmarks of these tournaments."

The information below outlines arrangements in place for fans visiting Twickenham Stadium for the finals this Friday and Saturday, for which a very limited number of tickets remain available.

Tickets and seating
Spectators will be seated in the lower seating bowl and in the East middle tier in groups up to a maximum of six from a single household or support bubble.

To comply with NHS Test and Trace and to ensure safety throughout, every person attending either match will be required to have their own mobile ticket on their own device, via the Twickenham Stadium app. The only exceptions are for accompanied minors (those under 18 - where proof of age may be required) or for those people with a disability attending the match with a companion.

An aggregate of 500 National Health Service (NHS) staff members have snapped up tickets for the two matches offered by tournament organisers EPCR, in partnership with Heineken. The gesture recognises the dedication and bravery of health workers in battling against the COVID-19 pandemic, acknowledging that without their work playing in front of 10,000 fans would not be possible.

Entering the stadium
Tickets will direct spectators to enter the stadium via assigned entry gates either - A, D or E - depending on which is closest to a spectator's allocated seat.

Safety measures
The RFU has worked with Government and Richmond Council on the safety plans and procedures to allow fans to safely return, including the measures detailed below:

Over 130 sanitiser stations to encourage good hand hygiene.

Face coverings will be mandatory within the stadium, unless a spectator is in an assigned seat consuming food or beverages.

Social distancing will be required at all times.

Cleaning and waste collection regime will be increased.

Spectators will be advised, as per government guidelines, to avoid busy times and routes on public transport, encouraging fans to cycle, walk or use private vehicles; up to 1,000 parking spaces will be available for spectators in RFU controlled car parks for each of these matches.

All spectators are required to read and sign up to a code of conduct and watch a mandatory 'what to expect' video before attending the game. Video available here.

Staffing levels will be above normal for a crowd of this size to enforce social distancing and COVID measures.

Food and Beverage

Restaurant style service will be available in both Gate restaurants and Union Ale House in the East stand for event sponsors and hospitality guests. These will be pre-booked tables with household and support bubbles being able to sit together.

Food, alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, tea and coffee will be available on the concourse at the Union 15 and nine other concessionaire units, while all ten bars on the concourse will be open to serve drinks. These are open two hours prior to kick off and will close 15minutes before the final whistle. All food and drinks must be consumed in a seat in the stadium bowl, in line with government guidance.

On a typical match day at Twickenham Stadium there would be 41 food/drink concessionaire units however for these matches there will be ten.