Thought I'd do a very rough guide to Premiership Rugby Union, if anyone can locate better photo's please let me know and I'll replace the ones here.

*Indicates it is also used for professional football.

Bath Rugby Club - Recreation Ground

Formerly the Manchester United of Rugby Union in recent years not nearly so successful but still a major team located in the beautiful city of Bath. They play in the Recreation Ground (10,300), but are actively looking for expansion or a move to get capacity above 15,000.

http://www.bathrugby.com/images/news/281006-East-twds-town.jpg

http://www.bathrugby.com/images/news/rec-autumn-041106.jpg

Bristol Rugby Club - Memorial Ground*

Formerly owners, Bristol fell on hard times and had to become tenants in their own stadium which they share with Bristol Rovers. Capacity stands at 11,500 but will increase to 18,000 with work due to start on this redevelopment soon.

http://www.footballgroundsofengland.co.uk/images/Bristol%20Rovers-04.jpg

Gloucester - Kingsholm Stadium

One of the few urban areas in England where football definately takes a second place to the pursuit of another sport. Considering the city has a population of just over 100,000 it impressively boasts one of the finest rugby clubs in England.

They play in Kingsholm Stadium where the main stand has recently been replaced by a brand new 7,500 stand with all new facilities, bringing the total capacity of the stadium upto 17,500.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/images/2007/10/01/playing_at_kingsholm_470x300.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/images/2007/09/25/kingsholm_250907_1_470x300.jpg

Harlequins Rugby Union - Twickenham Stoop

This London club plays in the 12,500 rather less famous counterpart to the nearby namesake stadium the 82,000 Twickenham Stadium. Nevertheless it is due for an expansion.

http://www.worldstadia.com/data/images/e/e/eezc070525064418.jpg

Leeds Carnegie - Headingley Stadium

This ground also hosting rugby league and adjacent to the cricket pitch, boasts a capacity of 22,500

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/Headingley_Carnegie.jpg

Leicester Tigers - Welford Road

One of the largest rugby only stadiums in the country at 16,815, originally they were going to move into Walkers Stadium with Leicester City, but this has since been abandoned. There stadium is alread above the 15,000 threshold so any expansion will come from fan demand.

http://worldstadia.com/data/images/g/v/gvto051219172128.jpg

http://worldstadia.com/data/images/g/e/gewa051219174119.jpg

London Irish - Madjeski Stadium*

Neither a London club, nor an Irish one, nevertheless one of the best supported in the Premiership, it makes use of Majeski Stadium, the only stadium in the country that hosts both Premiership Football and Premiership Rugby! At 24,500 it is adequate for London Irish but not for Reading and is due for an expansion to take it to 38,000

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/united_kingdom/england/south_east/reading_madjeski1.jpg

London Wasps - Adams Park*

One of the bigger rugby clubs in terms of achievement, London Wasps has a long proud history and a spate of recent successes including two Heineken Cup Victories. They play in Adams Park which is owned by Wycombe Wanderers a league two club. Capacity is at only 10,000, Wasps have indicated that they are unhappy with this (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/my_club/london_wasps/6903241.stm), especially as new rules will state a minimum capacity of 15,000 for Premiership Clubs, they have also expressed discontent at not owning their own stadium.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/MeWa_Valley_Terrace.jpg/800px-MeWa_Valley_Terrace.jpg

Newcastle Falcons - Kingston Park

This club famous for being the home club of Jonny Wilkinson has achieved only modest success at national and European Level. It's stadium at 10,000 is rather small and they'd need to seek an expansion or move by 2010, nevertheless it has rather good facilities for a stadium of its size.

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/europe/united_kingdom/england/north_east/newcastle_kingston.jpg

Sale Sharks - Edgeley Park*

Sharing the same stadium as Stockpot County FC, the capacity is around 11,000, meaning Sale will need to consider a move at some point if they are to keep their Premiership status.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/cb/Edgeley_Park_panoramic.jpg

Saracens - Vicarage Road*

This Watford based club plays in Watford City, a Championship Club that last season played in the Premiership, their subsequent relegation meant only Reading's Madjeski Stadium hosts rugby and football at the top levels. Despite Saracens better league the disparity in popularity between rugby and football means they play as tenants to Watford. The stadium is 19,920 one of the largest in the Guinness Premiership but was the smallest in the Barclaycard Premiership last year.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Vicarageroad1.jpg/800px-Vicarageroad1.jpg

Worcester Warriors - Sixaways Stadium

One of the smallest cities to host premiership rugby, they play in Sixaways Stadium. Current capacity is at 10,197, but current work is increaing it to 13,200.

http://www.wrfc.co.uk/images/action/stadium_arial_550.JPG

Bristol Rugby Club - Memorial Ground*

Formerly owners, Bristol fell on hard times and had to become tenants in their own stadium which they share with Bristol Rovers. Capacity stands at 11,500 but will increase to 18,000 with work due to start on this redevelopment soon.

http://www.footballgroundsofengland.co.uk/images/Bristol%20Rovers-04.jpg
18,500 for Bristol Rugby, it'll be 18,000 for football because of segregation.

What are the seating capacities for Kingsholm, Bath, Worcester and Harlequins?

I don't see why they're still insisting on a 15,000 minimum - crowds are dipping again this season:
Leicester: 16,793
Gloucester: 14,454
Bath: 10,215
Worcester: 8,721
Leeds: 8,576 (surprised me!)
Harlequins: 8,435
London Wasps: 7,814
Saracens: 7,807
London Irish: 7,491
Bristol: 7,036
Sale: 6,940
Newcastle: 6,194

I don't see why they're still insisting on a 15,000 minimum - crowds are dipping again this season:

Don't forget that the first six rounds this season took place during the World Cup, which had an effect on attendances. I reckon the final average this season should top 12,000.

2000/01 - 6,177
2001/02 - 7,488
2002/03 - 8,409
2003/04 - 8,560
2004/05 - 10,359
2005/06 - 10,608
2006/07 - 11,506
2007/08 - ???

Good upward trend, hopefully if all goes well the 12,000 barrier can be broken.

What are the seating capacities for Kingsholm, Bath, Worcester and Harlequins?

17,500
10,300
12,500
10,200

Worth adding Northampton Saints, whose 13,500 ground is by far the best in the English Second Tier of Rugby and with 11 wins out of 11, they are almost certainly heading for promotion back into the Guinness Premiership.

http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/gardens2_club.jpg

Don't forget that the first six rounds this season took place during the World Cup, which had an effect on attendances. I reckon the final average this season should top 12,000.

2000/01 - 6,177
2001/02 - 7,488
2002/03 - 8,409
2003/04 - 8,560
2004/05 - 10,359
2005/06 - 10,608
2006/07 - 11,506
2007/08 - ???
You'd need everyone to average just over 13,000 for the rest of the season to see 12,000, or about 12,400 to match the previous season. And last week's round 7 saw an average of 10,300. I'm sure the WC had an affect but it can't have knocked that many off the gates; crowds have peaked (for now, at least) and there's no need for all but a handful of teams to have a 15,000 capacity ground.

What are the seating capacities for Kingsholm, Bath, Worcester and Harlequins?

17,500
10,300
12,500
10,200

17,500 is the total capacity at Kingsholm not the seating capacity - the Shed (along one touchline) is a standing terrace.

You'd need everyone to average just over 13,000 for the rest of the season to see 12,000, or about 12,400 to match the previous season.

That's certainly doable - the next two rounds should have bumper crowds as is traditional at Christmas, plus London Irish will be trying to fill the Mad Jet Ski for the St. Patrick's Day fixture, and Bristol are playing two showcase fixtures at Ashton Gate. Remind me about this thread at the end of the season :)

crowds have peaked (for now, at least) and there's no need for all but a handful of teams to have a 15,000 capacity ground.

Leicester, Gloucester and Bath all certainly merit a 15,000 ground. Sarries and Irish have both filled their 20,000+ soccer grounds on occasions, and of the rest, only Leeds haven't had the "Sold Out" signs up on multiple occasions in the past couple of seasons.

17,500 is the total capacity at Kingsholm not the seating capacity - the Shed (along one touchline) is a standing terrace.

Yeah sorry didn;t read the question properly, hope they never get rid of terracing in Rugby Union, wouldn't be the same at Kingsholm without the shed-heads.

The new stand *C&G* is 7,500 ALL seated

North stand *buildbase* is around 4,000 ALL seated

Therefore just over 11,000 is seated at our beloved Kingsholm!

BTW gloucester has just over 120,000 people now...rising fast thanks to the redevelopment which includes thousands of houses

This is not 100% valid information but as I understand it there will be some interesdting developments within this league over next 5 years re stadiums.
Rumor mill
1. London Irish will quit reading when Brentford build there new stadium and the two clubs will become joint owners of stadium rather than seperate tenants
2. An unamed rugby club has been listed as interested in using post olympic stadium-although this might be Irish covering their options. Could be saracens though.
3. Leicster will completely re develop welford road or move to a new stadium with larger capacity
4. Wasps will def move back into London but it is unclear to where as they are keen to have there own stadium outright which is why they turned down a share with brentford as obviously these two clubs original homes are only 3 miles apart.
5. Sale will make a new stadium but funding is the issue.

Worth adding Northampton Saints, whose 13,500 ground is by far the best in the English Second Tier of Rugby and with 11 wins out of 11, they are almost certainly heading for promotion back into the Guinness Premiership.

http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/gardens2_club.jpg

Id say meadow lane is a much better stadium than this

This is not 100% valid information but as I understand it there will be some interesdting developments within this league over next 5 years re stadiums.
Rumor mill
1. London Irish will quit reading when Brentford build there new stadium and the two clubs will become joint owners of stadium rather than seperate tenants
2. An unamed rugby club has been listed as interested in using post olympic stadium-although this might be Irish covering their options. Could be saracens though.
3. Leicster will completely re develop welford road or move to a new stadium with larger capacity
4. Wasps will def move back into London but it is unclear to where as they are keen to have there own stadium outright which is why they turned down a share with brentford as obviously these two clubs original homes are only 3 miles apart.
5. Sale will make a new stadium but funding is the issue.

I really hope 4 will happen, I would go to watch Wasps if they played in London. I doubt a return to Loftus Road will ever happen though.:ohno:

3. Leicster will completely re develop welford road or move to a new stadium with larger capacity


Yep, a full redevelopment of the stadium to a 30,000 capacity has just been given approval ;)

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x20/lecimage/414_lg.jpg

^^ should be looking like that in 2011

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=542229&page=7

Stadiums of the Magners League (Rugby Union):

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/df/Magners-Logo.gif

The Magners League is an annual rugby union competition involving regional sides from Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It is one of the three major leagues in Europe, along with the English Guinness Premiership and the French Top 14. The league champion is currently determined solely from league performance, however from the 2009-10 season, it is intended to introduce a play-off structure, similar to the Guinness Premiership. It was originally known as The Celtic League. The Magners League season takes place between September and May, with each team playing every other team on a home and away basis. Magners League matches avoid the traditional international weekends in November and during the Six Nations Championship. The Welsh, Irish and Scottish rugby unions now use the Magners League as the sole determinant for European qualification.


Cardiff Blues

Badge: http://www.magnersleague.com/tools/images/teams/logos/100x100-000000/14.gif

Stadium: Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales.
Capacity: 13,500 (Mix of seats and terracing)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Cardiff_Arms_Park_and_Millennium_Stadium.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ea/Bmibaby.com_Stand.jpg

(Pictures linked due to excessive size)

Renovations: There are no current plans for the renovation of Cardiff Arms Park. On 18th September 2007, Cardiff Blues announced that they would groundshare with Cardiff City F.C. at their new 25,000 all-seated capacity stadium in Leckwith.

http://www.cardiffcityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/javaImages/39/dc/0,,10335~2939961,00.jpg

Connacht Rugby

Badge: http://images.sportnetwork.net/images/505/69515_215_136

Stadium: The Sports Ground, Galway, Republic of Ireland.
Capacity: 5,500 (Mix of seats and terracing)

http://v4admin.sportnetwork.net/upload/505/old/5051153753785.jpg
http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/news/Sportsground.jpg

Renovations: There are no current plans for the renovation of the Sportsground.

Edinburgh Rugby

Badge: http://www.magnersleague.com/tools/images/teams/logos/100x100-000000/17.gif

Stadium: Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Capacity: 12,500 (All Seated)

Note: Total capacity of Murrayfield is 67,800 but only the lower tier of the West Stand is used for Magners League games.

http://www.essex.ac.uk/dces/icdar2003/photos/murrayfield1.jpg
http://www.coflein.gov.uk/images/581757.jpg

Renovations: There are no current plans for the renovation of Murrayfield.

Glasgow Warriors

Badge: http://www.magnersleague.com/tools/images/teams/logos/100x100-000000/18.gif

Stadium: Firhill Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland.
Capacity: 10,900 (All Seated)

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dp6MGK8bVfA/R4HcjJUuPAI/AAAAAAAAHbA/MLz32FA44-k/DSC04655.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_dp6MGK8bVfA/R4HcrJUuPCI/AAAAAAAAHbQ/YViJlWbjOXw/DSC04648.jpg

Renovations: Partick Thistle F.C., the owners of Firhill Stadium, announced plans to build a new stand at the disused City End. The new stand was to consist of 1,000 seats as well as residential accommodation and office space. Planning permission was not granted by Glasgow City Council and no subsequent plans have surfaced.

Llanelli Scarlets

Badge: http://www.magnersleague.com/tools/images/teams/logos/100x100-000000/21.gif

Stadium: Stradey Park, Lanelli, Wales
Capacity: 10,800 (Mix of seats and terracing)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/uk_enl_1195143289/img/1.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1220/1457397986_acb42ea226.jpg?v=0

Renovations: Stradey Park was sold to developer Taylor Wimpey in February 2008, with the Scarlets due to move to the new 14,300 all-seated Parc y Scarlets in Pemberton.

http://www.scarlets.co.uk/Images/stadium2.jpg
http://www.scarlets.co.uk/Images/stadium3.jpg

Leinster Rugby

Badge: http://www.magnersleague.com/tools/images/teams/logos/100x100-000000/20.gif

Stadium: Royal Dublin Society (RDS) Arena, Dublin, Republic of Ireland.
Capacity: 18,500 (All Seated)

http://content.ll-0.com/leinster/leinster_e_a000555976.JPG?i=032906105152
http://www.irishrugby.ie/images/news/RDS.jpg

Renovations: The RDS reopened in 2007 with two newly built stands taking capacity to 18,500. There are current but as yet unrealised plans to build a roof on the currently uncovered stand that runs along one sideline. Leinster’s traditional home, Donnybrook Rugby Ground has recently undergone a major facelift and will reopen in September 2008 with an increased capacity of 12,500.

Munster Rugby

Badge: http://www.magnersleague.com/tools/images/teams/logos/100x100-000000/22.gif

Stadium: Musgrave Park, Cork, Republic of Ireland and Thomond Park, Limerick, Republic of Ireland
Capacities: Musgrave Park – 8,300 (Mix of seats and terracing). Thomond Park – 12,500 (Mix of seats and terracing)

Musgrave Park:

http://www.munsterrugby.ie/images/news/musgrave-park.jpg

Thomond Park:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/images/news/Thomond-Park2.jpg

Redevelopments: Thomond Park is currently undergoing a major facelift that will take capacity up to 26,500 with 15,000 seats and 11,000 standing places, as well as corporate and media facilities. In 2003, it was announced that following the redevelopment of Thomond Park, Musgrave Park would be upgraded to a 17,000 all-seated stadium but no definite plans have yet been released.

Thomond Park Redevelopment:

http://www.murrayolaoire.com/news_04/04_01_28/thomondpark/thomondaerial_500.jpg
http://www.munsterrugby.ie/images/news/East_StandView_Article.jpg

Neath-Swansea Ospreys

Badge: http://www.magnersleague.com/tools/images/teams/logos/100x100-000000/23.gif

Stadium: Liberty Stadium, Swansea, Wales
Capacity: 20,500 (All Seated)

http://www.swansea.gov.uk/media/images/9/g/200505_stadium_pitch_700pix.jpg
http://www.swansea.gov.uk/media/images/0/h/200505_stadium_view_700_pix.jpg

Renovations: There are currently no plans to redevelop Liberty Stadium,

Newport-Gwent Dragons

Badge: http://www.magnersleague.com/tools/images/teams/logos/100x100-000000/19.gif

Stadium: Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales
Capacity: 11,700 (Mix of seats and terracing)

http://www.bristolrugby.co.uk/images/news/RodneyParade_525x340.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1248/1348339232_f2716382f9.jpg?v=0

Redevelopment:

Major plans to build a £40 million state-of-the-art stadium on the site of Rodney Parade have been revealed ensuring the future of rugby in Newport remains in the heart of the city. The 15,000 capacity stadium will be home to Newport RFC and the Newport Gwent Dragons with new training facilities and a clubhouse incorporated in the new development.
http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/DragonsCMS/uploads/media/c4%202000%20N.jpg
http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/DragonsCMS/uploads/media/rugby_1800_02.jpg


Ulster Rugby

Badge: http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41443000/jpg/_41443679_ulster_rugby_logo203.jpg

Stadium: Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Capacity: 12,300 (Mix of seats and terracing)

http://www.ulsterrugby.ie/images/news/ravenhill.JPG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Ravenhillstadium.jpg/800px-Ravenhillstadium.jpg

Redevelopment: £4.5m redevelopment of terrace side of the ground is due to start in November 2008. The new stand will be built on the existing terracing at Ravenhill, with two thirds of the current standing area retained. The new facility will provide a roof for the currently uncovered terrace and will boast corporate boxes and premium seats with exclusive access to a private bar/lounge facility with an unparalleled view of the Ravenhill pitch. Initially, this redevelopment will reduce Ravenhill’s capacity to 11,500. The new stand is scheduled to be operational by September 2009.

There are future plans to redevelop Ravenhill in three further phases. The second phase, which has already been granted planning permission, is to build a new stand at the War Memorial end of the stadium, which will include 1,000 seats and 1,000 standing spaces as well as a permanent bar. Phase 3 is to replace the current grandstand and promenade at the ground. The final phase is to replicate phase 2 at the Aquinas End of the stadium, which is currently home to the stadium’s corporate facilities.

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/images/news/Ravenhill_NS_Front_View_web(1).jpg
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/images/galleries/Ravenhill_NS_Entrance_web.jpg
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/images/galleries/Ravenhill_NS_Corp_Box_1-web.jpg
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/images/galleries/Ravenhill_NS_Members_Bar_we.jpg

Wonderful too see something other than superstadiums of 50,000+

Thanks for the effort you put in.

thanks a lot for this mate, nice to see what the rugby stadiums of the UK are like and what the future of rugby union is shaping up to be. Somebody should do a guinness premiership stadium thread too :D.

One thing i've been wondering about the Magner's league, perhaps you'll be able to answer, is that some of the teams mentioned also have teams in other leagues. Basically what i'm saying is, are those teams...the same club as the teams in the other league? I'm wondering just how much of this is making sense.

Basically (as an example) are the Llanelli Scarlets, and Llanelli RFC the same club? But splintered off into two leagues? If so do they share players? It's been bugging me for a while!

One thing i've been wondering about the Magner's league, perhaps you'll be able to answer, is that some of the teams mentioned also have teams in other leagues. Basically what i'm saying is, are those teams...the same club as the teams in the other league? I'm wondering just how much of this is making sense.

Basically (as an example) are the Llanelli Scarlets, and Llanelli RFC the same club? But splintered off into two leagues? If so do they share players? It's been bugging me for a while!
I think it's like how they do it in South Africa and New Zealand. Each nation has a domestic league and the clubs pool into a few regional teams that compete in the Super 14. here, Llanelli Scarlets are the bigger club in the Magners league while LRFC is the one competing in the Welsh home league. I might have misunderstood that, but that's what I get from it. I'd be glad if someone could confirm this or correct me.

Double Post.

The teams in the Magners League are regional sides, rather than clubs in the traditional sense - while the Scottish and Welsh sides are named after the main towns of the region they represent and in which they play their home games, they represent a geographic location, rather than being a more traditional club, like this in England. In specific reference to the Scarlets, for example, they draw a player base from Llanelli RFC, Carmarthen RFC, Llandovery RFC and Narberth RFC.

I'm not specifically sure about the technicalities of the Welsh system other than that but I do know how the Irish system works and I believe that the current Welsh set up is based on the Irish system.

The system in Ireland is as follows: Professional rugby is run through de facto clubs that are set up on the old provincial basis; Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster. Each player under contract at the provinces is centrally contracted to the IRFU, rather than the specific province itself. Each player at a province is also contracted to a club team in the All Ireland League - this makes sense, especially for younger players and fringe players who wouldn't get much game time at provincial level.

As such, players can be contracted to two clubs - the regional side and a club side in the domestic league. The top 25 players in each province, especially international players, are never likely to even train with their league club and will have little involvement with them - recent examples of well known players (Paul O'Connell and Jerry Flannery) turning out for their club sides have been as part of rehabilitation from fairly serious injuries. It's not a normal thing to happen. Fringe players will still mostly train with their regional side but will also work more closely with their clubs, as that's where they get their regular rugby. Despite the contract situation, it's not at all common for a player to turn out for both regional side / province and a club team. It's basically a system to ensure that all centrally contracted players get regular rugby.

The Welsh regions are as such:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/WalesRugbyRegions.svg/375px-WalesRugbyRegions.svg.png

Ireland is divided along the old provincial lines:

http://www.hostels-ireland.com/images/ireland_map.gif

I'm not sure, again, how the Welsh system works but a majority of Irish players at the provinces play for their 'home' province.

Somebody should do a guinness premiership stadium thread too :D.

I could have sworn we already had one a while back.

Somebody should do a super league stadium thread too :D.
that's more like it

Just thought that I'd make a quick update about the progress or work at various Magners League stadia over the course of the past year:

Cardiff Blues:

Work has continued on the new stadium in Cardiff. The stadium is almost complete and is due to open soon:

http://www.welshrugbypics.co.uk/events/cardiff-city-and-cardiff-blues-new-stadium-060409/CDF_Cardiff_Stadium06.JPG?1239034897

Llanelli Scarlets:

New Parc Y Scarlets opened earlier this season:

http://images.teamtalk.com/09/03/800x600/Parc-y-Scarlets-Llanelli-2009_2087752.jpg
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cymru/chwaraeon/safle/rygbi_rhanbarthol/images/parc_y_scarlets203.jpg

Leinster:

Roof has been added to the previously uncovered side stand at the RDS. Although this pictures shows the roof only partially completed, work is finished and the stand fully covered.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/images/news/News-Grandstand.jpg

Munster:

New Thomond Park has been completed and opened last May:

http://img5.travelblog.org/Photos/106563/365763/f/3360291-Inside-Thomond-Park-0.jpg
http://img5.travelblog.org/Photos/30496/352429/f/3225067-Thomond-Park-Limerick-1.jpg

Newport Gwent Dragons:

Further discussions have taken place about the new stadium but construction is yet to begin.

Ulster:

Work has begun on Phase 1 of the Ravenhill redevelopment and is due to be completed by September 2009:

http://www.ulster-rugby-photos.co.uk/UvCB08/content/bin/images/large/IMG_4346.jpg
http://www.ulster-rugby-photos.co.uk/UvCB08/content/bin/images/large/IMG_4348.jpg

Here's a rendering of the new Rodney Parade:
http://www.newportgwentdragons.com/DragonsCMS/uploads/media/rugby_1800_02.jpg

That's not bad going for the Welsh provinces - only a couple of seasons ago their home grounds were Stradey, St. Helen's, the Arms Park and Rodney Parade...

Charlie, to be fair, I think that what amounts to massive improvements in the stadia of nearly every team in this league, is impressive. As an Ulster fan, and as a fan of the league in general, I may be be biased in this assertion but I think that it reflects, at least in part, the growing quality and popularity of the league. If you consider the stadia in use when this league began compared to what will be in use at the start of next season - only Connacht, Dragons, Munster and Ulster are still at the stadia in which they began. Munster's stadium has changed beyond all recognition, Ravenhill will have also changed drastically in the next few years, and that's only if another Northern Ireland stadium project doesn't turn up and we've seen the plans for new Rodney Parade.

Given that this league has been going for little over five years, I think that's impressive growth and impressive improvements in the quality of stadia in use.

There could be some sort of claim for smallest league with best stadiums as far as magners goes! Certainly there is no other league in the world that has made so much progress with its facilities in such a short space of time (5 yrs) in relation to basically 90% of its members! Impressive!

Unfortunately, no good signs from Scotland and I'm unsure of what to expect from Italy.

Thomond Park is everything a stadium should be. At least it appears that way.

Simple terracing right around the pitch for 10,000 who wishes to stand and a steep 15,000 curved elevated seating area, where there must be a great view from everywhere.

Its a high quality solutiuon that caters for everyone, while reaching a good capacity at a reasonable cost.

Unfortunately, no good signs from Scotland and I'm unsure of what to expect from Italy.

there are good signs as crowds are growing, though still so small they barely need any kind of stadium. the italians will probably be similar to the scottish clubs

Have the FIR decided which teams will take part yet? Will it be the top two sides from next year's championship or a couple of new franchises? If the latter, would these franchises become the automatic Heineken Cup entries?

From just looking at the stadiums not only in this league but also the Guinness Premiership and the Super League one thing comes clear to me and that is that these stadiums really but their football counterparts to shame.

I hope that they bring in Italian clubs in the near future and that helps the game expand in Italy and also gives teams motivation to build decent stadiums. I would also like to eventually see a league that includes English and French clubs and scraping the Heineken Cup.

I would also like to eventually see a league that includes English and French clubs and scraping the Heineken Cup.

I completely disagree - the Heineken Cup is the best competition in the world below international level, and it would be madness to scrap it for an ersatz replacement.

Here is some news of Bath Rugby Clubs plans for redeveloping the Recreation Ground into a 15,000+ stadium:http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/aug/06/bath-recreation-ground-redevelopment

I would love it if they came up with something similar to Thomond Park.

Unfortunately, no good signs from Scotland and I'm unsure of what to expect from Italy.

Glasgow increased their average home gate by 16% last season, and are reporting a 40% increase in season ticket sales for the coming season - and are expecting a 10,800 full house for the Edinburgh game. Obviously still a long way behind the irish, but moving in the right direction.



With just under 2 weeks until Aironi and Treviso make their bows in the Magners League, I thought this would be a good time for an update.

Edinburgh:

Sir David Murray has proposed a large housing development on the outskirts of Edinburgh, with the proposals including a 25,000 seater athletics stadium that could become Edinburghs new home. Will be really surprised if anything comes of it mind...

Glasgow:

Partick Thistle intend to redevelope Firhill, building a 600 seat stand at the city end (financed by a residential and corporate development behind the stand, also incorporating new changing rooms and offices for Partick Thistle.

On completion, the Old Main Stand (which is only used by Partick Thistle for visits of the Old Firm, but has been used by Glasgow for their derby fixtures in the last few seasons) will be demolished and replaced with, reportedly, a single row of seats the length of the pitch, again backing onto housing/corporate space - bringing the capacity down to about 8,000.

Munster:

Have announced plans to begin work on their second home - Musgrave Park in Cork - to bring it up to 20,000 capacity (a mixture of standing and seats). Not much detail around yet though.

Leinster:

Have added more temporary seats to the RDS for their HC quarter final against Clermont (bringing the capacity up to 20,000). Not sure if these have been put back in for the coming season though?

The club also intend to take their games against Munster and Clermont Auvergne to the newly opened Aviva Stadium across the road.

Newport:

Are apparently hoping to start work on Rodney parade 'iminently' - dont know any more than that.


And now for the new grounds for the coming season.

Aironi (Viadana - Lombardy/Reggio Emilia - Emilia Romagna):
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Aironi_rugby_logo.PNG/125px-Aironi_rugby_logo.PNG
A newly formed franchise, with involvment (of various levels) from: Rugby Viadana, Colorno, GRAN Parma Rugby, Rugby Parma, Roceta, Modena, Reggio Emilia and Mantova. Viadana have more than 50% though. Most of these clubs have merged to form 2 teams in the Italian League.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Kit_shorts.svg/100px-Kit_shorts.svg.png

Stadio Luigi Zaffanella - Viadana (cap. 5,000 - work is required to meet Magners League standards, and will bring capacity up to 6,000 next year)

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSUUUUbQjGxLW3MCTLzyqugNDjFxllMljnXOfmU7_s39TCG-pc&t=1&usg=__K3VZtqnmXn5f3m_i97vctkqodsw=
http://www.rugbyviadana.it/images/tribuna_stadio1.jpg
Will be the venue for the vast majority of their games - according to the ML site, all ML games.

Stadio Giglio - Reggio Emilia (cap. 29,546 - 6,495 seated)

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTkOLUe6zQwXhnRXvR7LrUD1FkZqHLFQsT2nW3Y0ELgoliBqk8&t=1&usg=__85lF_uSStYHuszZmj_YcfxLzFkE=
http://www.panoramio.com/photos/original/24468779.jpg

Will only host big games - 8,000 turned up to watch Viadana play the Ospreys here in last seasons HC



Benetton Rugby Treviso:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/64/Benetton_treviso_badge.png/125px-Benetton_treviso_badge.png

Super 10 Champions:
1956, 1978, 1983, 1989, 1992, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010

Coppa Italia Champions:
1970, 1998, 2005, 2010

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Kit_socks_long.svg/100px-Kit_socks_long.svg.png

Stadio Comunale di Monigo (cap. 6,700)
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSFCZrGtDHMlMzpHKswih84-MW7ywFFFVZgEcL9U2mfNGnRGy8&t=1&usg=__NLS9V5CwU85c3pyF9Lmf7h8twOM=

(a lack of decent pics of the Italian grounds)

Nice update Iwa, good to see rugby clubs advancing in the north. Do you have any figures on the average crowds each club gets?

Nice update Iwa, good to see rugby clubs advancing in the north. Do you have any figures on the average crowds each club gets?

There used to be a very useful table on the ML site, listing the season average for every team for every season since the leagues inception in 2001. Unfortunatly, I can't find it anymore :(

did find this article though, which gives some of the headline figures for last season. http://www.magnersleague.com/news/5308.php

Munsters 18,600 should be taken with a pinch of salt - they changed the figures for nearly every game by up to 6,000 months after the game, possibly to ensure they maintained the accolade of best supported team?

Cardiff's 25% increase is also dodgy - some games the announced attendance was more than double the actual attendance (which has been confirmed by stewards at Cardiff City stadium. Still think they saw a slight rise over the season though.

Despite this, the 8,576 average over all games should still be fairly accurate - the number of games with inacurate attendances pales into insignificance compared to the 90 games in the regular season last year.

I can also give slightly more accurate figures on the scottish teams (composed myself)

Glasgow saw an increase on the previous season for every game last season, and a 27.7% increase bringing their average to 3,876 for the ML, and setting a new record for the club of 8,830 for the game v Edinburgh (a sell-out with unreserved seats)

HC games saw a drop of 2%, but was seriously affected by TV scheduling (playing Biarritz while every club in Scotland was playing, opposed to playing Toulouse the previous season infront of far more, at our prefered slot. In the HC, there aren't enough games to offset this, unlike the league) On the other hand, our smallest attendance was up 14% on the previous seasons poorest (same opposition, same situation - the fairest comparrison you will get in the HC)


Edinburgh stalled slightly last season, having made serious inroads the previous, with an average of 4,278 for ML games. They did manage an impressive average of 4,926 for the HC, but benefitted from some very large travelling supports (which Glasgow never seem to get :( )


As I said, for the coming season Glasgow have reported ST sales are up 40% (no doubt helped by a play-off last season) and last weekend we doubled our record crowd for a friendly. Still a long way to match the 13,500 Season Tickets Leinster have sold for the coming season though. The first time Leinster have sold out their season tickets, and they now have a waiting list aswell.

I would expect to see lots of attendance records broken in the coming season - the addition of an extra 42 games virtually garuntees the total attendance this coming season will exceed any previous season (maybe pushing on for 1 Million?), and I would expect new record crowds will be set for: Glasgow (switched to reserved seating and aiming for a sell-out 10,800 for Edinburgh), Leinster (their last game at Lansdowne Road set a league record of 48,000 - wouldn't be surprised if that is raised slightly when they play Munster in the first competitive rugby match at the new ground), Aironi and Treviso (by default) and possibly Cardiff and Edinburgh (depending on how their seasons go)

Thomond Park
Home Team: Munster
Location: Limerick City

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4703259583_015ff3647a_z.jpg

http://www.rugbymania.com.br/UserFiles/Image/Thomond_Park_Opening%5B1%5D.jpg

http://croom.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/thomond-park.jpg

a few pics:

Ravenhill
http://www.ulsterrugby.com/NewStandRainbow.JPG
http://www.ulster-rugby-photos.co.uk/UvE09/content/bin/images/large/IMG_6830.jpg

Musgrave Park
Not very detailed...
http://www.wilsonarchitecture.ie/images/projects/0015_001.jpg



And the Rodney Parade redevelopment is due to start in january, with phase 1 (replacing the Argus terrace with a stand including corporate facilities) taking around 6 months.

There used to be a very useful table on the ML site, listing the season average for every team for every season since the leagues inception in 2001. Unfortunatly, I can't find it anymore :(

did find this article though, which gives some of the headline figures for last season. http://www.magnersleague.com/news/5308.php

Munsters 18,600 should be taken with a pinch of salt - they changed the figures for nearly every game by up to 6,000 months after the game, possibly to ensure they maintained the accolade of best supported team?

Cardiff's 25% increase is also dodgy - some games the announced attendance was more than double the actual attendance (which has been confirmed by stewards at Cardiff City stadium. Still think they saw a slight rise over the season though.

Despite this, the 8,576 average over all games should still be fairly accurate - the number of games with inacurate attendances pales into insignificance compared to the 90 games in the regular season last year.

I can also give slightly more accurate figures on the scottish teams (composed myself)

Glasgow saw an increase on the previous season for every game last season, and a 27.7% increase bringing their average to 3,876 for the ML, and setting a new record for the club of 8,830 for the game v Edinburgh (a sell-out with unreserved seats)

HC games saw a drop of 2%, but was seriously affected by TV scheduling (playing Biarritz while every club in Scotland was playing, opposed to playing Toulouse the previous season infront of far more, at our prefered slot. In the HC, there aren't enough games to offset this, unlike the league) On the other hand, our smallest attendance was up 14% on the previous seasons poorest (same opposition, same situation - the fairest comparrison you will get in the HC)


Edinburgh stalled slightly last season, having made serious inroads the previous, with an average of 4,278 for ML games. They did manage an impressive average of 4,926 for the HC, but benefitted from some very large travelling supports (which Glasgow never seem to get :( )


As I said, for the coming season Glasgow have reported ST sales are up 40% (no doubt helped by a play-off last season) and last weekend we doubled our record crowd for a friendly. Still a long way to match the 13,500 Season Tickets Leinster have sold for the coming season though. The first time Leinster have sold out their season tickets, and they now have a waiting list aswell.

I would expect to see lots of attendance records broken in the coming season - the addition of an extra 42 games virtually garuntees the total attendance this coming season will exceed any previous season (maybe pushing on for 1 Million?), and I would expect new record crowds will be set for: Glasgow (switched to reserved seating and aiming for a sell-out 10,800 for Edinburgh), Leinster (their last game at Lansdowne Road set a league record of 48,000 - wouldn't be surprised if that is raised slightly when they play Munster in the first competitive rugby match at the new ground), Aironi and Treviso (by default) and possibly Cardiff and Edinburgh (depending on how their seasons go)

If some of these teams have such poor crowds (a crowd of 10,800 for any of the Australian Super Rugby teams would be seen as a dismal failure), how do they pay their players and manage to steal the occasional southern hemisphere players (eg. leinster with Rocky Elsom). Also with the dodgy crowd numbers, shouldn't a professional body like the Magners League just publish accurate figures?

Good to see the crowds increasing though. Hopefully you guys increase the average greatly over the future years. Is there any talk about creating divisions like theyre doing in Super Rugby (with Italy and Scotland sharing a division), would increase the number of derbies therefore increase crowd, but it does make expansion more difficult. I guess you guys can wait and see how it turns out with us before committing to divisions.

If some of these teams have such poor crowds (a crowd of 10,800 for any of the Australian Super Rugby teams would be seen as a dismal failure), how do they pay their players and manage to steal the occasional southern hemisphere players (eg. leinster with Rocky Elsom). Also with the dodgy crowd numbers, shouldn't a professional body like the Magners League just publish accurate figures?

Good to see the crowds increasing though. Hopefully you guys increase the average greatly over the future years. Is there any talk about creating divisions like theyre doing in Super Rugby (with Italy and Scotland sharing a division), would increase the number of derbies therefore increase crowd, but it does make expansion more difficult. I guess you guys can wait and see how it turns out with us before committing to divisions.

Because it is not a Gate driven league. The Northern Hemipshere market is far larger than the Southern Hemisphere so there is more TV revenue to pay the players more than in the Super 14. If they are happy to neglect local talent for the ready made Southern Hemisphere player or Rubgy League player then it's there national team that can suffer, not unlike England's national Football team.

If some of these teams have such poor crowds (a crowd of 10,800 for any of the Australian Super Rugby teams would be seen as a dismal failure), how do they pay their players and manage to steal the occasional southern hemisphere players (eg. leinster with Rocky Elsom). Also with the dodgy crowd numbers, shouldn't a professional body like the Magners League just publish accurate figures?

Good to see the crowds increasing though. Hopefully you guys increase the average greatly over the future years. Is there any talk about creating divisions like theyre doing in Super Rugby (with Italy and Scotland sharing a division), would increase the number of derbies therefore increase crowd, but it does make expansion more difficult. I guess you guys can wait and see how it turns out with us before committing to divisions.

The Scottish and Irish teams are entirely owned by their national Unions (ie. SRU and IRFU respectivly) - so while a crowd of 3,000 at Firhill for a Glasgow game doesn't bring in too much cash, a 67,800 crowd at Murrayfield at £60 a ticket brings in a hell of a lot (and is backed up by a list of about 30 different sponsors of the national team, TV deals, sales of beer/food ect. inside the ground)

The upside is that, while Glasgow make a loss, overall games at Murrayfield fund the national team, both pro teams, the national age grade teams (about 5 of them, plus a womens side), the national 7's team, and provides financial support to the amature clubs to develope facilities - while still reducing the debt quite considerably. The SRU have also profited from staging other events at Murrayfield in recent years - the '09 HC final, the super league "magic weekend" (And before it, the Challenge Cup Final), the IRB 7's, music Concerts (Live 8 in 2005, an Oasis gig last year) and have rented the ground out to Hearts FC for European games.

The downside is that the two pro teams are expected to work for the benefit of the national team - that is, if Andy Robinson says he wants a player rested, that player is rested. And the majority of players are Scottish (take Glasgows squad, there are only 5 non scots qualified players in the squad - 2 argentines and 3 canadians. And neither argentine is a particularly big name, while both have played their entire pro careers in Europe)

The situation is quite similar in Ireland - only over there they operate slightly more idependantly of the IRFU. (the IRFU impose quotas on the number of games their internationals can play, and its up to the provinces to decide which games they play, for example) Also in Ireland 3 of the 4 provinces make a profit (only Connacht dont, but again the IRFU make a killing from internationals and can afford to sustain a loss in return for having a platform to develope players)

I don't know exactly how the irish system works, but in Scotland while the SRU cover certain costs of the pro teams, any cash made by the teams remains in the team. Assuming this is the case in ireland, both Leinster and Munster make enourmous amounts from filling their grounds regularly. And the 'Munster Rugby' brand is massive, and they will make a lot of money from shirt sales and other merchandise. No surprise then that most of the southern hemisphere stars are heading to Munster and Leinster.


The Welsh sides are (i think?) all privatly owned, and the Ospreys (the worst for snapping up forgein talent) have large shirt sales, and - most importantly - have a very wealthy benefactor.

Thanks for the reply, interesting read. I guess if the Scottish national team is underwriting Glasgow and Edinburgh their is less push to increase crowds.

Thanks for the reply, interesting read. I guess if the Scottish national team is underwriting Glasgow and Edinburgh their is less push to increase crowds.

Well, not really - the SRU have made no secret of the fact they would ideally have 4 pro teams (to increase the number of professional players the national team has to choose from). However they can't afford to run 4 teams making a loss - so the only way they will ever come about about is if Glasgow and Edinburgh become self-sustaining, and the funding can be re-directed to the Borders/Caledonia regions.

Unfortunatly, the SRU seem to expect this to just happen, without ever advertising the teams...

And there is a fair bit of internal drive aswell - since any profit the teams make stays in the team. So, the larger the crowds at the games, the larger the pot of money the coaches have to spend come summer

The Glasgow Warriors are going to use this as a permanent training base and administrative home, with facilities for sprinting, weights, rugby pitches and all weather rugby pitch, physiotherapy and massage facilities; as well as the preexisting indoor tennis centre, swimming facilities and sports halls for basketball and indoor footy.

All in all it will be like Murray Park is for Rangers, a professional training base which will be used to lure new talent to the club.

As far as a stadium is concerned, i think the SRU should get together with Partick Thistle, the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Sport Scotland to redevelop FirHill into an al covered all seater 15000 seat arena used for both football and rugby.

Glasgow needs a good mid sized stadium for the warriors, thistle, and A, B and age grade internationals in both Rugby and Football, however the training facilities Glasgow now enjoy are second to none, over 18 million was spent on this facility in preparation for the commonwealth games

http://www.glasgow2014.com/assets/b5a5a9e1-3121-4d53-bf47-a2b89a612cb7.jpg

http://www.glasgow2014.com/assets/0eda3140-9622-427e-b30f-04931dec9a39.jpg

http://www2.glasgow2014.com/NR/rdonlyres/C37E44F8-84E1-4BBC-9722-DFDED1096A5B/0/Scotstoun_day_venue_m.jpg

http://www.barr-construction.co.uk/_pix/media-root/thumbs/scotstoun-stadium--redevelopment-1.jpg

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/polopoly_fs/9706073-1.1039288!image/316827825.JPG_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/316827825.JPG

http://www.barr-construction.co.uk/_pix/media-root/thumbs/scotstoun-stadium--redevelopment-2.jpg



http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/sport/PublishingImages/Sports%20Facilities/scots-pool-rotary.jpg

Since Aironi have now made their competition debut, there are far better pictures of their ground available.

The North Stand (not sure, but this might be new)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs634.snc4/59471_149410195080347_117471038274263_327030_4216219_n.jpg

The view from the North Stand:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs415.snc4/47800_149409678413732_117471038274263_327007_1195552_n.jpg

The East Stand (think the bit with no roof was built this summer)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs215.ash2/47800_149409675080399_117471038274263_327006_4000900_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs614.snc4/59471_149410191747014_117471038274263_327029_734958_n.jpg

The West Stand (You can see the lighter grey at the front, where the stand was extended down to pitch level. this stand also holds the tv gantry, press seats and team benches)
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs415.snc4/47800_149409665080400_117471038274263_327004_1388559_n.jpg


And a few shots from Aironi's home debut - v Ulster last week:
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs639.snc4/59931_152949578059742_117471038274263_344478_1915357_n.jpg
note the roof on the East Stand has been finished now
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs321.ash2/60109_152949641393069_117471038274263_344485_6604184_n.jpg

Photo's courtesy of Aironi's official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/AIRONI-RUGBY/117471038274263) - plenty more pics on there if you are interested.