According to sources, the Rugby Football Union has decided against a controversial plan to sell Twickenham and acquire a 50% stake in Wembley from the Football Association. Instead, they are now prioritizing a £663 million project to renovate their existing stadium.

Since 1909, Twickenham has been the designated location for English rugby. The RFU is currently developing plans to improve the stadium through its “masterplan programme”. In the previous year, the union’s board agreed to maintain the option to “leave” but to delay any formal involvement with the FA.

Matchdays at Twickenham drive 85% of the RFU’s revenues and the stadium has in recent years been described by the RFU’s chief executive, Bill Sweeney, as “our cash cow”. As a result the RFU has been ­reluctant to stage England internationals anywhere else but moving to Wembley was part of a “reserve” option to the union’s plans to overhaul Twickenham.

The Guardian has seen the RFU’s in-depth plans for revamping Twickenham, with a window between the end of the 2027 Six Nations and the start of the following year’s championship identified as the preferred time to carry out a large section of the work with minimal disruption. It would, however, mean that Red Roses matches and the men’s team’s World Cup warm-up matches would have to be played elsewhere in that time.

The main strategy, which centers on real estate, transportation, and customer satisfaction, also mentions a previous suggestion to move to Wembley, where England played one match against Canada in 1992. Wales also temporarily used Wembley as their base while the Principality Stadium was being constructed. The RFU’s representative stated that their primary goal is to improve Twickenham Stadium and any previous thoughts of relocating have been dismissed.

The RFU has estimated that the Twickenham renovation will cost £663m, but there is recognition that this amount is not feasible. Therefore, around £300m will be used to fund the most urgent projects. The £663m figure is meant to provide a general idea of the total costs and future renovations will be completed as the union acquires the necessary funds.

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“The events hosted at Twickenham are a major source of income for the RFU and enable them to invest in all levels of the game, from local communities to elite players,” stated the plans. “In addition to serving as the most prominent asset of the RFU and the official home of England’s national rugby teams, the stadium plays a crucial role in driving financial support for the growth of the sport and achieving the RFU’s goals for both grassroots and professional levels.”

Despite the RFU’s efforts to improve the stadium and site, there has been a lack of a comprehensive long-term plan for its development. This fragmented approach has led to inefficiencies in areas such as operations, compliance, maintenance, and most importantly, the fan experience.

The project involves upgrades to all four stands, resulting in a potential decrease in capacity for rugby events to 80,000. Additionally, the stadium roof, car parks, and RFU offices will be relocated. The goal is for the stadium to be fully functional by 2031.

The RFU is currently working on enhancing transportation options as there has been an excessive reliance on Twickenham rail station and numerous complaints of overcrowding during match days. The organization is considering utilizing riverboat services as one of the potential solutions for improving transportation to and from matches.

In the latest annual report from the RFU, Chief Financial Officer Sue Day expressed the importance of renovating Twickenham in order to secure future revenues for reinvesting in the game. Despite this, there is a worry within the RFU that such extensive expenditures on the stadium will appear out of place given the current needs for investment in both professional and grassroots rugby.

The spokesperson for RFU also stated that they are currently working on a long-term plan for Twickenham Stadium to keep it modern and in line with all necessary regulations. This plan aims to enhance the fan experience and generate revenue for the community and professional rugby.

Over the next year, efforts will be made to evaluate potential interventions and develop designs for the next phase of the stadium. The RFU board has not yet approved any new plans for redevelopment, but all possibilities will be carefully examined as part of a larger, long-term plan.

“As the plans progress, the RFU board and council will be extensively involved and consulted in the process of due diligence and approval. This will involve considering any potential sources of funding. According to the RFU’s constitution, any borrowing over £150m would require the views and approval of council members. It is not expected that significant stadium renovations will commence before 2027.”

Source: theguardian.com