Harlequins
If Twickenham Stadium is the grand old daddy of English rugby, then The Stoop, home of Harlequins, is very much the baby brother. Situated practically next door to the national stadium, it enjoys much of the same rugby atmosphere without quite the same sense of occasion or the need to take out a second mortgage to pay for everything.
Officially known as the Twickenham Stoop, the ground is named after Adrian Stoop, a former Harlequins player and one of the important figures in the club's history. It is a proper rugby ground rather than a football stadium that happens to host the occasional rugby match, and that makes a considerable difference to the experience.
Getting There and Admission Prices
Location is one of The Stoop's biggest advantages. Twickenham railway station is within walking distance, with regular services from London Waterloo, Clapham Junction and destinations in the surrounding area. Allow around 15–20 minutes to walk to the ground, depending on your pace.
There are also local bus services, while those travelling by car can reach the stadium from the A316. However, parking is limited, so public transport is generally the sensible option. Official match-day parking is available from £18, although spaces should be booked in advance.
Admission prices for the 2026/27 season start at £35 for adults and £20 for under-18s for Gallagher PREM and European Challenge Cup matches. Premiership Rugby Cup fixtures and friendlies are cheaper, starting at £20 for adults and £10 for under-18s. These are starting prices, so the cost of your chosen seat and the particular fixture may be higher. There is also a £3 increase on men's match tickets purchased on the day, subject to availability, making advance booking worthwhile.
You can check the latest prices and fixtures on the official Harlequins ticketing website.
One of the real advantages of visiting The Stoop rather than its enormous neighbour is the difference in crowds. The Stoop holds around 14,800 spectators, compared with more than 80,000 at Twickenham Stadium. That is a substantial difference when it comes to getting in, finding your seat and, particularly, getting away afterwards.On a normal Harlequins match day, the surrounding streets will certainly be busy, but you are unlikely to experience quite the same mass movement of humanity that accompanies an England international. At Twickenham, tens of thousands of supporters descend on the railway station and surrounding roads, often creating lengthy queues before and after the game.
The Stoop is not immune to congestion, especially when a popular fixture attracts a full house, but the smaller crowd makes the whole experience considerably more manageable. Just remember that if you happen to visit when a major match is taking place at the neighbouring stadium, things can become rather more complicated.
And do check which ground you are heading for. The two stadiums are practically next door to each other, but turning up at the wrong one would be an embarrassing start to the afternoon!
The Ground and Facilities
The Stoop has a capacity of approximately 14,800, making it large enough to generate a decent atmosphere without becoming so enormous that you need binoculars to identify the players.The four stands provide a fairly enclosed feel, with supporters generally close enough to the action to appreciate the speed and physicality of the game. It is not an architectural masterpiece, but rugby grounds do not necessarily need to be architectural masterpieces. A good view, a decent atmosphere and somewhere to get a drink will do nicely.
The ground has developed considerably over the years, with improvements to seating, hospitality and other facilities. Nevertheless, it retains more of a traditional rugby-club feel than many of the enormous modern stadiums now being used for the sport.
Harlequins have also developed a reputation for entertaining rugby, and The Stoop is a fitting home for a club that has traditionally favoured an attacking approach. When Quins are in full flow, the crowd can be treated to some wonderfully entertaining stuff.
Food and Drink
Stadium catering is rarely the cheapest way to feed yourself, and The Stoop is unlikely to change your opinion on that subject. There are the usual match-day options for food and drink, with facilities around the ground allowing supporters to grab something before the game or during the interval.The choice is reasonable, but queues are inevitable when thousands of people all decide they would like a beer at roughly the same time. My advice would be to arrive in good time, have a wander around and get your refreshments sorted before kick-off.
If you are making a day of it, the surrounding area offers alternatives, although you will need to plan around the crowds and any match-day restrictions.
The Atmosphere
This is where The Stoop really comes into its own.
Harlequins have a loyal following, and their supporters are generally an enthusiastic bunch. The club has a distinctive identity, from its famous multicoloured shirts to its reputation for playing adventurous rugby.The atmosphere is perhaps a little less intimidating than at some of the traditional northern rugby strongholds, but that is not necessarily a criticism. The Stoop has a more relaxed, family-friendly feel while still providing plenty of noise when the action gets going.
Of course, everything depends on the opposition, the importance of the match and how well the home side are playing. A packed ground watching an entertaining contest can be a thoroughly enjoyable experience, whereas a dreary afternoon watching your team make a mess of things is unlikely to be transformed by the surroundings.
The proximity of Twickenham Stadium adds another interesting dimension. On major international weekends, the whole neighbourhood can feel as though it has been taken over by rugby, with The Stoop providing a smaller-scale alternative to the national stadium.
The Old Moaner Verdict
The Stoop is a thoroughly enjoyable rugby ground and one that benefits enormously from its location beside Twickenham Stadium. It has the facilities to accommodate a substantial crowd, the atmosphere of a dedicated rugby venue and a home club that has built much of its reputation on entertaining play.
It may lack the historic grandeur of some grounds, and the cost of a day out in this part of London can soon mount up, but those are relatively minor complaints.
For anyone visiting Twickenham for a rugby weekend, The Stoop is well worth considering in its own right. You get the opportunity to watch top-level rugby in a more intimate setting than the national stadium, while still enjoying the general buzz of England's rugby heartland.
And there is one final advantage over attending an international at Twickenham: although you will still have to contend with other supporters heading home, you are dealing with a fraction of the crowd.
In short, baby Twickenham is a rather good little brother. For a more intimate rugby experience, easier crowd management and the chance to watch Harlequins doing what they do best, The Stoop is well worth a visit.
Prices correct as at October 2026
Return to England Rugby home page