If you’re planning on a day out, watching the rugby at Twickenham, then you’re probably wondering what to take with you for the day. If that’s the case, then it’s a good idea to have a handle on what you’re going to be allowed to take into the stadium and what you’ll be forced to leave at the gate.
I did a bit of digging and here’s what I found out, both on what you can and can’t take into the stadium.
10 Things You Can’t Take Into Twickenham.
1. Alcohol
You won’t be allowed to take any form of alcohol into Twickenham stadium. There are plenty of bars inside the stadium. You can order a maximum of 4 drinks at a time at the bar.
These open 3 and a half hours before kick off for international matches, or 2 hours before kick off for club matches.
If you’re thinking about making the most of the day and want to get to the stadium nice and early, then take a look at this post I’ve written on how early to get to a rugby game.
I also wrote an article about whether you can drink alcohol at twickenham, which covers how many bars there are in the stadium and the sorts of drinks you can buy on match day.
2. Any Food Or Drink
You are not permitted to take food or drink into Twickenham Stadium. Once inside the stadium there is food and drink available for purchase, which you can take with you to your seat. Tap water is available either at any of the water stations in the stadium, or on request at any of the bars.
3. Glass Containers
No surprise here; you can’t take any type of glass container into Twickenham. I presume the logic is that it risks becoming a hazard or even a weapon when smashed. Or that it could be used to sneak some form of drink into that you’ve managed to bring into the stadium undetected.
4. Cans
No cans of any type are not allowed in the stadium. Most likely because they’d be full of / storing something you could drink or eat.
5. Hip Flasks
If it has any fluid in it, you won’t be allowed to take a hip flask into the stadium with you. Whether security will just make you pour the contents down the drain and send you on through the gates with it still in your possession; or whether they’ll take the whole thing off you, is unclear.
6. Backpacks
You are not allowed to take backpacks into Twickenham Stadium, or any bag larger than 30cm x 21cm. The only bags that can be taken into the stadium must be no greater than A4 in size.
This is understandable, but a real pain with the potential of turning into a logistical nightmare! I mean, I’m guessing that most of the spectators in Twickenham on any given day aren’t what you’d class as local.
Tens of thousands of fans will be travelling a significant distance for the game. And thousands more will have decided to make a weekend of it by staying in a hotel or some accommodation nearby. Many of those staying nearby may not have time to check in before the match.
If you’re travelling a fair distance to get to Twickenham, and as a result needing to carry luggage with you, then it’d be worth researching where to store your bags and subsequently lighten your load.
There are quite a few companies offering this service. I’d encourage you to check out this article I wrote where I cover in detail bag storage providers that you could use to find somewhere to store your luggage while you watch the match at Twickenham.
These luggage store providers use shops and hotels as their luggage storage ‘agents’ or if you like.
7. Professional Recording Equipment
You cannot take any professional recording equipment into the stadium, or for that matter any equipment that you plan to use in order to make a recording that you might use commercially.
This all stands to reason. Whichever broadcaster is filming the match will have paid rather a substantial sum of money for the rights to do so and the exclusivity that comes with it.
8. Push Chairs & Buggies
Although you can take babies to the match, you won’t be allowed to take a push chair or kids buggy in with you. Make sure you come equipped with a front baby carrier though, as your baby will need to be in that on entry to the stadium.
9. Air Horns
You may be a fan who likes to make plenty of noise when supporting your team. If that’s you, then you’ll need to use your voice box and not much else. You won’t be able to take these ‘noise creators’ into the stadium.
10. Large Flagpoles
If you’re thinking of taking flags to show your support, make sure that any flagpoles are less than 1.5 meters long. Any longer and they won’t be allowed in the stadium.
5 Things You Can Take Into Twickenham Stadium.
1. Front Baby Carriers
If you’re planning on taking a baby with you to the match, bear in mind that they’ll need to be in a front baby carrier at the time you go through the gates to enter the stadium.
I’m unclear as to whether you can take them out of the baby carrier and have them on your lap once in your seat. So it’s probably worth asking this question on entry at the gate.
You may also want to consider getting them some kiddie ear defenders just in case the noise is too overwhelming for them.
Another thing to note is that you won’t need a ticket for children under 2.
2. Medication
If you have medication that you need to take with you on the day; then the advice from Twickenham is to take it in its original packaging, with a copy of the prescription to hand.
Don’t do this, then you may risk having it taken off you, or a stressful entry involving an argument with the security staff on the gate before being allowed to take it in.
3. Cigarettes, E-Cigarettes & Vaporisers
You can take vaporisers, e-cigarettes and cigarettes into the stadium, into the stadium, but you are not allowed to smoke anywhere within the green perimeter fence line of the stadium.
If you want to smoke during the game or at half time, you’ll have to leave the stadium, making sure you take your ticket with you.
They must ensure that in the external areas where they smoke they do not obstruct entrance gates and turnstiles.
Twickenhamstadium.com
4. Cameras, Video Cameras & Tablets
You can take cameras, SLRs and tablets into the ground. However, Twickenham stipulates that you can only do this if they are used only for private or personal use.
It’s also a good idea to make sure that If you’re taking a photo or capturing a moment, that you’re mindful not to obstruct your fellow spectators’ view of the game.
5. Small Bags – No Bigger Than A4
Ideally Twickenham want you to avoid bringing in bags at all. However, if you feel the need for a bag, you will be allowed to take one into the stadium with you as long as it’s no bigger than A4.
I presume the thinking behind the A4 size is that you’ll be able to store it underneath your seat when you’re watching the match.
This does sound restrictive. A4 in bag terms seems fairly tiny to me. But I reckon there’s a bit of wiggle room here…… A4 is surface area, yet bags hold volume. In other words, find a bag that’s has a surface area no bigger (wider or longer) than A4, but make sure it’s pretty deep, and you should be ok.
Finally, if you haven’t yet bought your tickets, then do check out this post I wrote on the best seats at Twickenham, and use it as your guide when working out which tickets to get.